Participated · Series A · Nov 2022

Juvena Therapeutics leverages artificial intelligence and insights from human stem cell biology to engineer first-in-class regenerative biologics aimed at reversing tissue degeneration. Its lead candidate, JUV-161, is in Phase 1 studies and has shown preclinical benefits in myogenesis, muscle metabolism, and strength for myopathic conditions; dosing is complete in five of six SAD cohorts and all MAD cohorts with study completion expected by January. The company recently signed a research and collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly worth more than $650 million in potential milestones, underscoring the commercial interest in its platform. Proceeds from the latest financing will fund advancement of JUV-161, expansion of its pipeline targeting neuromuscular and age-related diseases, and further development of its AI discovery capabilities. Juvena is also pursuing additional partnership opportunities and has launched a search for a new CEO as it scales. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, the company has expanded its board and clinical leadership team to support its next phase of growth. No revenue or user metrics have been disclosed, but the company positions itself as a leader in regenerative medicine.

Participated · Seed · Jan 2022

Mustard provides a patent-pending AI and computer vision system that analyzes regular mobile phone video to evaluate athletes' mechanics and connect coaching to what is actually happening with an athlete's body. Feedback is delivered in real time via a report card that generates a customized performance plan and actionable steps for improvement. The machine-learning algorithm leverages data captured by co-founder Dr. Tom House across his 40 years working with athletes, and the company pairs that with mental performance training from co-founder Jason Goldsmith through live and recorded content. Mustard intends to expand its connected-coaching platform across numerous major skill sports, including golf, soccer, and football, and to produce more live and recorded instructional content. The company plans to hire additional team members with tech experience to support product development and scaling. Financially, Mustard has raised $3.75M in the seed round, bringing total funding to $6M. Mustard offers a mobile app that analyzes player motion via a smartphone camera and proprietary AI algorithms to approximate human athletic coaching. The product is launching a limited free public beta focused solely on baseball and employs engineers from Major League Baseball Advanced Media for the baseball features. The company says the app will be free at first and plans to add low-cost premium subscription features while maintaining a free tier. Mustard was co-founded by Tom House, noted for his work on modern pitching mechanics, and markets itself as making elite personalized coaching more accessible. Nolan Ryan and Drew Brees are among the named athletic investors, with Ryan serving as one of the company’s public faces. The company announced a $1.7 million raise to improve the tool and expand the product.