Participated · Series A · Sep 2025

Optain Health offers a portable robotic retinal camera, integrated AI workflows, and teleophthalmology to enable rapid, non‑invasive screening for eye diseases and systemic risk (oculomics). Its platform detects diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age‑related macular degeneration, and assesses cardiovascular risk while delivering teleophthalmology grading in the U.S. The company was co‑created in 2023 by Aegis Ventures and builds on more than a decade of Australian R&D led by Professor Mingguang He. Optain is expanding deployments into primary care, optometry, and health systems with the goal of closing care gaps and improving outcomes with minimal specialist staffing. The company uses teleophthalmology services in the U.S.; its automated disease detection software is not for sale in the U.S. Optain is scaling globally with investments in Australian R&D to support expansion outside the U.S. Optain develops AI-enabled software and hardware that noninvasively diagnose eye and systemic health conditions in real time using photos of the eye. Its portable retinal camera and accompanying AI software enable clinicians to screen for more than 140 eye and systemic conditions at early stages. The company is led by CEO Jeff Dunkel and positions the eye as a gateway to monitor whole-person health. Optain's approach is based on over a decade of research by Professor Mingguang He of the University of Melbourne and the Centre for Eye Research Australia. The company traces its roots to Australian-founded Eyetelligence (launched in 2019), whose clinically validated and regulatory-approved AI products are commercialized across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Japan and the Middle East. Optain intends to use recent seed funding to expand operations and development efforts.

Participated · Equity · Feb 2024

Basking Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing BB-031, a first-in-class, reversible RNA aptamer that targets von Willebrand Factor (vWF) with rapid onset and short duration of effect. The company reported positive Phase 1 results in 2023 showing safety, tolerability, no serious adverse events, and dose-dependent inhibition of vWF. Basking plans to initiate a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial (the RAISE trial) in acute ischemic stroke patients in 2024. It is also advancing BB-025, a rapid-acting reversal oligonucleotide, through a Phase 1 clinical program. Basking will use the proceeds from its recent financing to accelerate clinical development of BB-031 and BB-025. The company leverages two decades of translational RNA aptamer research from the lab of Dr. Bruce Sullenger. Basking Biosciences is developing the first reversible thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Its lead candidate, DTRI-031, is an RNA aptamer that inhibits von Willebrand Factor (vWF); the company is co-developing a matched oligonucleotide reversal agent, DTRI-025, for rapid, as-needed neutralization. The paired therapy aims to extend the treatment window for thrombolysis to 24 hours post stroke onset and expand the population eligible for acute intervention. DTRI-031 has demonstrated potent vessel recanalization in multiple murine and canine preclinical models. The program was expected to enter human clinical trials in Q2 2021. Basking was founded in 2019 and is advancing clinical development after an initial $5.4M Seed financing.

Participated · Equity · Mar 2023

Smalls is a cat-only fresh pet food brand that makes ultra-high-protein, human-grade fresh meals formulated for feline long-term health. The company positions its products as avoiding carbs, grains, and unnecessary ingredients common in many cat foods. Smalls says its food yields healthier, more energetic cats and has created a community and conversation among cat owners. Founded in 2017, the brand emphasizes cat-specific nutrition after decades of pet brands focusing on dogs. Financially, Smalls had previously raised more than $35 million in funding prior to the latest round. The company plans to expand growth with the support of its new lead investor, including TV-driven customer acquisition. Smalls produces ultra-high-protein, human-grade fresh food and batch-cooked meal plans sold direct-to-consumer with an exclusive focus on feline nutrition. The company positions itself as a cat-first brand addressing what it describes as long-standing underinvestment in cat-specific products. Since launching in 2017 Smalls has generated eight-figure sales and says it has fed more than 100,000 cats. The recent capital infusion will be used to make the brand more accessible as it enters retail for the first time and to increase product offerings. Smalls plans to expand headcount by nearly 25% and highlights a people-first culture, including a fully remote, four-day work week. The company frames the opportunity against a growing pet industry and rising consumer investment in premium pet care. Smalls sells direct-to-consumer cat food, offering fresh human-grade chicken and beef, freeze-dried proteins (chicken, turkey, duck), treats and non-food items like litter and toys. The company launched in 2018 and was started by co-founders Matt Michaelson (CEO) and Calvin Bohn (COO), who began by cooking food in their New York City apartments before moving into Brooklyn Foodworks. Smalls now manufactures its cat food in a facility in Chicago. After taking a quiz on Smalls' website, subscription plans were offered at roughly $3–$4 per cat per day. Management reports "several thousand" active subscribers, up 4x year-over-year. The company says pandemic-driven pet adoption and a shift toward direct-to-consumer purchasing are growth tailwinds, though it has faced some supply-chain challenges.

Participated · Equity · Mar 2018

Simple-Fill develops a liquid-based technology that compresses, cools and dehydrates natural gas, eliminating methane leakage. Led by CEO Rob Underhill, the company is developing a 40 GGE compressor product and intends to use new funding to advance that development. Its technology is already deployed at a Safelite AutoGlass facility in Worthington, Ohio to reduce operating expense and provide a more predictable, environmentally friendly fuel for a commercial fleet. Simple-Fill is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The company announced a deepened partnership with Parker Hannifin Corporation to leverage Parker’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities to further develop and fulfill orders.