Participated · Seed · Jul 2024

Osheru, founded by Drs. Patricia and Knute Buehler, develops innovative medical devices for skin surgery. Its lead product, Ziplyft, is designed to address challenges of conventional blepharoplasty by reducing downtime and lowering risks such as wound dehiscence and asymmetry through a proprietary design. The company plans commercialization of Ziplyft in 2025 and aims to serve ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and other specialties treating excess skin. Osheru highlights a sizable market opportunity, citing about 1.7 million eyelid surgeries worldwide in 2023 (a 24% increase vs. 2022) and growing demand for less‑invasive alternatives. To support advancement toward market entry, the company completed a $4.7 million funding round. Osheru also appointed John Garland as chief commercial officer to lead commercialization efforts.

Participated · Equity · Jan 2024

InVivo Biosystems provides CRISPR genome editing and end-to-end preclinical services, creating custom genome-edited C. elegans and zebrafish models and delivering in-vivo analytical data to support early-stage drug development. The company leverages extensive intellectual property in genetically modified organisms to accelerate target identification and compound screening with rapid turnaround and affordability. In January 2024 it announced a $3M new investment to advance commercialization of its CRISPR capabilities. Recent technology validation includes new patents, an exclusive license (MIC-Drop) from the University of Utah for a high-throughput CRISPR microfluidic approach, and an NIH Fast-Track SBIR award. The NIH grant — $2.8M — will fund development of an AI-based automated zebrafish monitoring system to enable automated deep phenotyping. The appointment of C. Palani Palaniappan, Ph.D., as board chairman was announced alongside the financing to support commercialization and corporate strategy in 2024.