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Coyote Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2021 and based in the United States. The firm focuses on investing in companies that aim to optimize health for traditionally overlooked populations, particularly women. Their mission is to democratize healthcare access through innovation, targeting early-stage companies that address critical health issues. Coyote Ventures has quickly established itself as a key player in the health equity space, emphasizing investments that align with their commitment to improving healthcare access for marginalized communities.
As of now, Coyote Ventures has made 12 investments, primarily in seed-stage startups. The firm is known for its strong focus on health equity, particularly for women and historically marginalized groups. Their portfolio includes companies that tackle various health-related challenges, including maternal health, caregiving, and social determinants of health. The firm operates from its headquarters in San Francisco, California, and has garnered attention for its unique investment thesis that combines financial returns with impactful outcomes in gender equity and health access.
Notable milestones include being featured in the ImpactAssets 50, a curated database of experienced impact investment managers, which highlights their credibility in the impact and ESG investment community. Coyote Ventures has also attracted significant institutional backing, including a notable investment from Bank of America, which serves as the largest institutional limited partner in their inaugural fund.
Coyote Ventures invests in tech-enabled solutions that enhance healthcare access for marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on women. Their investment thesis encompasses sectors such as women's health, social determinants of health, and broader health equity challenges. The firm specifically targets early-stage companies that address critical issues like maternal health, endometriosis, and caregiving. Coyote Ventures is particularly interested in startups that focus on health conditions that solely, differently, or disproportionately affect women.
The firm emphasizes investments in companies that are led by female CEOs, making this a formal investment criterion rather than a preference. This approach not only aligns with their mission of improving healthcare access for women but also reflects a commitment to gender equity in the entrepreneurial landscape. Coyote Ventures seeks to invest in companies that provide innovative solutions to health equity challenges, ensuring that their investments contribute to both financial returns and meaningful impact.
Check sizes typically align with seed-stage funding, although specific amounts are not publicly disclosed. The firm is open to co-investment opportunities and collaborates with other investors who share their focus on health equity and innovation in healthcare access.
Coyote Ventures has built a diverse portfolio of 12 companies, each addressing unique challenges in health equity and women's health. The portfolio includes:
These companies collectively represent Coyote Ventures' commitment to addressing health equity challenges, particularly those affecting women and marginalized communities. The firm has also invested in companies like Wile, which focuses on hormone health, and Hera Biotech, which specializes in endometriosis diagnostics. This thematic cohesion in their portfolio underscores their strategy of investing in a 'FemTech stack' approach, targeting reproductive health, diagnostics, and wellness.
Jessica Karr: General Partner and Founder of Coyote Ventures. Jessica has a background as a biochemist at Impossible Foods and has experience in product development and capital deployment. She is known for her hands-on approach to mentoring portfolio companies.
Maria Wang-Faulkner: Investment Committee Member with expertise in health equity and venture capital. Maria has a strong background in supporting female entrepreneurs and has been involved in various health-focused initiatives.
Jess Guenzl: Investment Committee Member who brings experience in healthcare investments and a passion for improving health outcomes for women. Jess has a track record of identifying promising startups in the health tech space.
Deepa Sheth: Investment Committee Member with a focus on social determinants of health. Deepa has worked with various organizations to promote health equity and has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
Nina Joshi: Venture Partner with a background in healthcare consulting. Nina has experience in advising startups on growth strategies and operational efficiency.
Corina Leu: Venture Partner who specializes in health tech investments. Corina has a strong network in the healthcare industry and provides valuable insights to portfolio companies.
Christina Quinn: Venture Partner with expertise in women's health. Christina has been involved in various initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes for women and has a strong commitment to health equity.
Laura Rafferty: Venture Partner who focuses on early-stage investments in health tech. Laura has a background in entrepreneurship and provides mentorship to founders in the portfolio.
Rohini Rajgopal: Venture Partner with experience in healthcare policy. Rohini advises portfolio companies on navigating regulatory challenges and market access.
Shannon Shearn: Venture Partner who specializes in consumer health products. Shannon has a strong understanding of market trends and helps portfolio companies refine their go-to-market strategies.
Priyanka Vaidya: Venture Partner with a focus on digital health solutions. Priyanka has experience in scaling health tech startups and provides operational support to portfolio companies.
To pitch Coyote Ventures, founders should use the online submission form available at this link. The pitch deck should include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and how the startup addresses health equity challenges. Founders should also highlight the leadership team, particularly if it includes female executives, as this aligns with Coyote Ventures' investment criteria.
Response times can vary, but founders should expect to hear back within a few weeks. Coyote Ventures prefers warm introductions, but cold submissions through the online form are also accepted.
Coyote Ventures hosts the Health Equity Innovators Summit, designed for individuals and organizations working to improve health equity. The summit features discussions, collaborative problem-solving, and wellness experiences aimed at advancing equitable health outcomes.
This program provides a platform for networking and sharing insights among stakeholders in the health equity space, fostering collaboration and innovation.
As of April 2023, Coyote Ventures has made a total of 12 investments, all in seed-stage companies. Recent portfolio highlights include investments in Wile, a company focused on hormone health, and Hera Biotech, which specializes in endometriosis diagnostics. These investments reflect Coyote Ventures' commitment to addressing underfunded areas in women's health.
In September 2022, Coyote Ventures announced a significant investment from Bank of America, which serves as the largest institutional limited partner in their inaugural fund. This partnership underscores the firm's credibility and commitment to health equity.
Coyote Ventures continues to be active in the health equity space, seeking innovative companies that align with their mission. Their participation in the ImpactAssets 50 further solidifies their reputation as a leader in impact investing.
What are Coyote Ventures' investment criteria?
Coyote Ventures primarily invests in seed-stage startups that address health conditions affecting women and marginalized communities. A key criterion is that portfolio companies must be led by female CEOs, reflecting the firm's commitment to gender equity.
How can I apply or pitch to Coyote Ventures?
Interested parties can submit their pitches through the online submission form available at Coyote Ventures' submission page.
What makes Coyote Ventures different from other VC firms?
Coyote Ventures distinguishes itself by focusing exclusively on health equity, particularly for women and historically marginalized groups. Their investment strategy combines financial returns with impact-driven outcomes, ensuring that their investments contribute to gender equity and improved healthcare access.
What is the geographic scope of Coyote Ventures' investments?
The firm primarily invests in companies based in the United States, focusing on startups that address health equity challenges within the country.
What type of support do portfolio companies receive post-investment?
Coyote Ventures provides strategic guidance, access to a network of industry experts, and emphasizes collaboration with female-led teams to enhance the success of their portfolio companies.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not publicly disclosed, Coyote Ventures focuses on seed-stage investments, which typically fall within the sub-$25 million range.
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