Tigris Ventures
13054 Via Grisma, Del Mar, CA, 92014, United States
Overview
Tigris Ventures is an unconventional seed-stage investment firm and venture incubator with access to over $20M in capital. We seek out compelling opportunities that can significantly impact healthcare and the environment. We focus on early-stage ventures, primarily in the Southern California region, with a relatively low risk that can produce a significant return on investment within two to four years. Unlike most VC firms, we invest our own capital and will entertain opportunities whose exit valuations are relatively modest, typically in the $2-20M range. Certain ventures are incubated within our facility – typically ones that we co-found. These start-ups have access to shared resources including our team of Associates, CAD capabilities, a complete development and prototyping laboratory, and a patent attorney. The most important aspects we consider include the potential impact of the innovation on quality of life or the environment, the strength of intellectual property, the ability to demonstrate proof-of-concept with a relatively low initial investment, the experience of the management team, market size and growth, regulatory and reimbursement hurdles, profit margins, and the potential for a successful exit by acquisition. During the evaluation process, we often engage prospective exit partners in preliminary discussions about the potential value of the innovation, and their appetite for acquiring the entity should it prove to be viable. By doing so, we significantly reduce overall risk and help each venture focus on meeting the most important milestones that drive value and enable a rewarding and timely exit.
- Total investments
- 1
- Lead investments
- 1
- Investments · 12mo
- 0
- Active investors
- 0
Sector focus
- Financial Services
- Life Science
- Venture Capital
Investment portfolio
- Tear Film Innovations
Led · Series A · Nov 2017
Tear Film Innovations (TFI) manufactures the iLux system, an in-office device that provides targeted therapy to blocked meibomian glands for evaporative dry eye and related syndromes. The iLux received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2017 and was unveiled to ophthalmologists and optometrists in 2018. TFI announced it completed an $8.5 million Series B Preferred Stock financing to support its growth strategy. Management said the financing "completes the capitalization for our growth strategy" and the company is making key hires to meet significant market demand for the iLux system. The company is actively commercializing the device to both the ophthalmic and optometric sectors. TFI positions the iLux as a significant new dry-eye treatment option in eye care. Tear Film Innovations (TFI) is an early-stage company developing products to treat evaporative dry eye, including Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and blepharitis. Its flagship product, the iLux® system, is an investigational in‑office device that treats blocked meibomian glands through targeted heating and compression of the eyelids. TFI recently completed a multi-site clinical study demonstrating the system's safety and efficacy, and the iLux is currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company completed a $9 million Series A Preferred Stock financing to advance regulatory approvals and commercialization. Investors provide both capital and clinical support—Visionary Ventures Fund and Tigris Ventures led the round and Visionary's affiliated doctors are cited as key opinion leaders. Management stated the funding will help move the product toward commercialization in a U.S. market with more than 25 million dry eye patients.
Team
No current team members are available.