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Atlas Venture

Atlas Venture is a biotechnology venture capital firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focusing on early-stage biotech companies. They emphasize a collaborative, science-first approach to drug development.

Founded
1993
Recorded stages
Pre Seed, Seed, Seed Plus, Series A, Series A Plus
Focus sectors
Biotech, Healthcare
Recorded regions
United States

Online destinations

Find Atlas Venture online

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Official links

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Third-party rankings

Where Atlas Venture ranks

Rankings that list Atlas Venture
RankingEditionPositionSince last editionTrustWhat it measures
Strebulaev-Jackson Venture Ranking: Top 50 Biotech VC Firms2026#5No prior editionBPerformance
Strebulaev-Jackson Venture Ranking: Top 100 US VC Firms2026#38No prior editionBPerformance
Positions come from each publisher's edition. Open a ranking for its method and trust notes, or an edition for the full list.

Overview

Atlas Venture is a biotechnology venture capital firm founded over 30 years ago and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The organization focuses on creating and building breakthrough biotech companies. Their investment thesis emphasizes collaborative, science-first, and patient-centric drug development, targeting early-stage companies in the biotechnology sector. Notable portfolio companies include AAVantgarde Bio, Accent Therapeutics, Actelion, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Caldera Therapeutics, and Vima. Atlas Venture aims to translate high-impact science into medicines for patients.

Focus

Atlas Venture invests in the biotechnology sector, specifically targeting early-stage companies.

Support

Atlas provides hands-on venture creation alongside scientists, translating academic research into scalable biotech businesses and medicines for patients.

Questions

What are Atlas Venture's investment criteria?

Atlas Venture invests in early-stage biotech companies, specifically at the seed and Series A stages. They focus on companies that translate high-impact scientific research into medicines, particularly in sectors like gene therapy and precision oncology.

How can I apply or pitch to Atlas Venture?

Founders can pitch to Atlas Venture through their website at atlasventure.com/contact-us or via email at atlasventure@atlasventure.com. They recommend including a clear overview of the scientific innovation and its potential impact on healthcare.

What makes Atlas Venture different from other VC firms?

Atlas Venture emphasizes a hands-on approach to venture creation, working closely with scientists and entrepreneurs to build scalable biotech businesses. Their deep expertise in the biotech sector and collaborative model set them apart.

What is the geographic scope of Atlas Venture's investments?

Atlas Venture primarily invests in North America, with a strong focus on the biotech ecosystem in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

What is the typical check size for investments?

Atlas Venture typically invests between $2 million and $15 million in their portfolio companies, focusing on early-stage funding.

What kind of post-investment involvement does Atlas Venture have?

Atlas Venture is actively involved in the companies they invest in, providing operational support and strategic guidance to help translate scientific advancements into viable medical solutions.

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