Led · Seed · Sep 2023

MessageDesk, led by CEO Clint Vernon, provides text-messaging software that lets businesses text-enable their phone lines, send mass broadcasts, optimize delivery rates, and route, assign, and automatically manage conversations across an organization. The company is based in Reno, NV. MessageDesk plans to use its recent funding to accelerate growth and expand into new markets. It aims to surpass $1M in annual recurring revenue (ARR) in 2023 and expects to reach 1,000 SMB customers by the end of Q1 2024 while also expanding its mid-market customer base. The product and GTM focus are centered on improving business SMS delivery and conversation management for SMBs and mid-market customers. The company intends the seed proceeds to support those operational and market-expansion efforts.

Participated · Equity · Mar 2022

Talage builds digital distribution software for commercial insurance that automates traditionally manual processes such as applications and submissions. The platform recently added the ability to quote additional lines of coverage, including professional liability and cyber insurance. It has also delivered tools to simplify renewals, book rolls, and cross-sell opportunities. The company closed a $9 million funding round led by Merus Capital. Carrier partners include Acuity, Coterie Insurance, Hiscox, Liberty Mutual, and Travelers, indicating distribution traction. Founded in 2015, Talage’s team and technology are positioned to support further digitization of the insurance industry. Talage offers a SaaS platform that lets agents sell essential commercial insurance to small businesses through digital channels. The platform is live nationwide and has sold over $1 million in coverage to businesses in more than 40 states. It integrates with 12 carrier partners so agents can instantly sell coverage under their own licenses and appointments. Talage was founded in 2015 by Adam Kiefer, Matt Donovan and Zachary Draper and is based in Reno, Nev. The company plans to use new funding to scale its engineering and business development teams. Current operating traction includes the stated $1M+ in policies sold and presence across 40+ states.

Participated · Series A · May 2021

Astrocyte Pharmaceuticals is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Groton, Conn., focused on developing novel cerebroprotective therapeutics. Its lead candidate, AST-004, has shown efficacy across diverse small and large animal brain injury models and is being evaluated for a broad array of acute brain injuries including stroke and traumatic brain injury. Astrocyte is currently conducting Phase 1B clinical safety studies of AST-004 and is preparing for Phase 2 efficacy studies in 2024. The company is also assessing AST-004 in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease to explore potential benefits in chronic neurodegenerative conditions. The announced financing will be used to accelerate clinical development of AST-004 and further preclinical assessment in Alzheimer's disease. Astrocyte positions its approach as a potential way to reduce astrocyte-induced excess inflammation and provide neuroprotection in combination and precision medicine strategies. Astrocyte Pharmaceuticals is advancing novel neuroprotective therapeutics intended to reduce brain injury from stroke, traumatic brain injury, concussion and other neurodegenerative conditions. Its lead therapeutic is based on technology licensed from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The company completed a Series A financing that raised $6 million. Proceeds from the round will be used to advance the lead program into Phase 1 human trials. Astrocyte describes itself as focused on addressing an unmet need for drugs that limit neurodegenerative brain injury. No operating metrics were disclosed in the article. Astrocyte Pharmaceuticals is a privately held drug development company focused on small‑molecule neuroprotective therapeutics for stroke, traumatic brain injury/concussion, and neurodegenerative disorders. The company is committed to proving the neuroprotective benefits of enhancing astrocyte function and advancing related therapeutic agents. Its lead program is AST‑004, which the company and investors cite as having promising preclinical efficacy and a novel mechanism of action. Astrocyte completed a Pre‑A financing that raised over $2.3M to support its development plans. The company intends to use proceeds to advance its first program into clinical studies. The press release also notes research support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH) and the Department of Defense under specific award numbers.

Participated · Equity · May 2021

Osteoboost Health Inc. develops a wearable Class II prescription device worn around the hips that delivers low-magnitude vibration therapy to the lumbar spine and hips as a non-drug treatment for low bone density and osteopenia, particularly in postmenopausal women. The treatment approach is based on research originally funded by NASA and, in a double-blind trial at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, users who adhered to at least three 30-minute sessions per week for 12 months saw bone density loss reduced by 85% in the spine and 55% in the hips, per the company. The device received a Breakthrough Device designation in 2024 and was later cleared via the FDA De Novo pathway; the company began shipping in May. Since launch it has been prescribed by more than 2,500 physicians, including clinicians at over 30 academic medical centers. The company was also named to TIME’s 2025 list of Best Inventions. Osteoboost plans to use the new financing to scale manufacturing, expand clinical research, and broaden commercialization.