Investor
ARCH Venture Partners
ARCH Venture Partners is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm based in Chicago and Seattle, specializing in investments in disruptive science and technology companies, particularly in life sciences and physical sciences.
Online destinations
Find ARCH Venture Partners online
Where to find this organization online, grouped by who runs each page. A link here does not mean the organization controls it.
Official links
Pages the organization runs itself.
Third-party rankings
Where ARCH Venture Partners ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Listed as | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strebulaev-Jackson Venture Ranking: Top 50 Biotech VC Firms | 2026 | ARCH Venture Partners | #1 | No prior edition | B | Performance |
 Leading longevity investors by deal count (Longevity Investors Conference) | 2025 | ARCH Venture Partners | #2 | No prior edition | C | Activity |
| Strebulaev-Jackson Venture Ranking: Top 100 US VC Firms | 2026 | ARCH | #49 | No prior edition | B | Performance |
Overview
ARCH Venture Partners is a venture capital firm founded in 1986, with offices in Chicago, Illinois, and Seattle, Washington. The firm focuses on early-stage investments in technology companies, particularly in the life sciences and physical sciences sectors. Known for its contrarian investment approach, ARCH emphasizes revolutionary technologies that can significantly impact human health. The firm has a strong track record of supporting university and national laboratory spinouts, and it actively co-founds companies with leading scientists and entrepreneurs. ARCH's portfolio includes notable companies such as Illumina, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and Juno Therapeutics, reflecting its commitment to funding breakthrough science and transformative technologies.
Focus
ARCH Venture Partners invests in early-stage biotechnology companies, providing funding typically ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. The firm is particularly focused on transformative technologies in areas such as infectious disease, mental health, immunology, and genomic tools. ARCH operates globally and is recognized for its role in co-founding startups directly with university researchers, emphasizing a hands-on approach to building successful companies.
Support
ARCH Venture Partners adds value to its portfolio companies through strategic partnerships, industry insights, and a robust network of relationships within the biotechnology sector. The firm is deeply involved in the development process, offering guidance and support to help companies navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
Questions
What are ARCH Venture Partners' investment criteria?
ARCH focuses on early-stage biotechnology companies, particularly those developing transformative technologies in healthcare and life sciences. They typically invest between $2 million and $20 million.
How can startups apply or pitch to ARCH?
Startups can pitch to ARCH Venture Partners through their contact page. It is advisable to include a detailed business plan and information about the founding team.
What makes ARCH different from other venture capital firms?
ARCH is known for its contrarian investment approach and its unique model of co-founding companies with leading scientists, which allows for a deeper involvement in the development process.
What is ARCH's geographic scope?
ARCH primarily invests in North America but operates globally, seeking innovative companies that can make a significant impact on human health.
What is ARCH's post-investment involvement like?
ARCH is deeply involved in the development of its portfolio companies, providing guidance, strategic partnerships, and industry insights to help navigate challenges.
Check your startup’s fit
Check your startup’s fit with ARCH Venture PartnersFrom public sources
What the sources say about ARCH Venture Partners
Steven Gillis is listed as Managing Director of Fund XIII's GP LLC in its January 2024 filing.
Source: SEC Form D: ARCH Venture Fund XIII, L.P.Keith Crandell is listed as Managing Director of Fund XIII's GP LLC in its January 2024 filing.
Source: SEC Form D: ARCH Venture Fund XIII, L.P.Kristina Burow is listed as Managing Director of Fund XIII's GP LLC in its January 2024 filing.
Source: SEC Form D: ARCH Venture Fund XIII, L.P.Fund XIII's January 2024 filing lists a Chicago principal address at 8755 W. Higgins Road, Suite 1025.
Source: SEC Form D: ARCH Venture Fund XIII, L.P.In January 2021, ARCH described historical company investments ranging from $50,000 to $250 million.
Source: ARCH Venture Partners Announces New $1.85 Billion Fund to Create and Fund Early Stage Biotechnology CompaniesARCH announced Fund XIII with more than $3 billion in September 2024.
Source: ARCH Venture Partners Announces New Fund to Create the Next Generation of Biotech Companies
Similar investors
Organizations that do similar work to ARCH Venture Partners.
Investor
InvestorGlobal private investment firm with diverse strategies.
InvestorInvesting in private markets for over 30 years.
InvestorTransforming businesses for long-term success.
Superscout Pro
Find faster. Show up verified. Keep your deals private.
$99a year, or $12 a month
Get Pro- Search that narrowsInvestors, programs, accelerators, incubators and studios, by stage, sector and place.
- A verified profileThe people you reach know you are who you say you are.
- A private deal vaultThe startups you are watching, with your notes and your reasons. Nobody else's eyes.
Is this page right?Reviewed · How the research works