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Genoa Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2018 by Jenny Rooke, Ph.D., and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The firm focuses on enhancing the performance and stability of portfolio companies in the biology and technology sectors. The team consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds in investing, operations, research, and scaling businesses, all dedicated to supporting early-stage companies.
As of 2023, Genoa Ventures manages over $150 million in assets under management (AUM) across multiple funds, including Fund II, which closed at $84 million in 2022. The firm is currently investing from its third fund, although the size of this fund has not been disclosed. Genoa Ventures has been recognized on the Inc. Founder-Friendly Investors list for five consecutive years, highlighting its commitment to supporting founders.
Genoa Ventures operates primarily in North America and has built a reputation for backing category-defying startups that blur the lines between biology, technology, and data science. The firm emphasizes the importance of understanding complex scientific and commercial ideas, often engaging with founders for extended periods to refine strategies and validate assumptions before making investments.
Genoa Ventures specializes in bioconvergence investing, targeting early-stage opportunities at the intersection of biology and technology. The firm focuses on sectors such as biotech, healthcare, AI, agtech, and consumer products. Their investment strategy spans pre-seed to Series A stages, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $5 million.
The firm seeks to empower companies that aim to create significant advancements in health, sustainability, and productivity. Genoa Ventures looks for science-driven companies that do not fit traditional venture capital models but are positioned to make a substantial market impact. They prioritize investments in diagnostics, medical devices, research tools, synthetic biology, industrial biotech, agricultural innovation, and consumer bio.
Genoa Ventures emphasizes the importance of strategic guidance and operational support, leveraging their team's diverse expertise in biology, technology, and data science to help startups navigate challenges and accelerate growth. Their investment thesis is centered on backing startups that blur the lines between biology, technology, and data, creating a unique approach to venture capital.
Genoa Ventures has a diverse portfolio of companies that exemplify its focus on bioconvergence and early-stage innovation. Notable portfolio companies include:
Jenny Rooke, Ph.D. - Founder & Managing Director. Jenny has expertise in genetics and has served on the boards of multiple portfolio companies. She is a Yale graduate and has a strong background in life sciences.
Landon Merrill - Partner. Landon joined Genoa Ventures in June 2021 and was promoted from Principal in October 2024. He has two decades of experience in the life sciences industry.
Vikram Chaudhery - Partner. Vikram brings extensive experience in venture capital and has a strong focus on technology-driven investments.
Bill Hyun - Partner. Bill has a background in finance and has worked with various startups in the technology sector.
Alexandra de Paz, PhD - Partner. Alexandra specializes in biotechnology and has a strong research background.
Richard Kenny Hawkwood - Partner. Richard has experience in operational roles within startups and focuses on scaling businesses.
Tony Day - Partner. Tony has a background in technology investments and works closely with portfolio companies on growth strategies.
Paul Conley - Partner. Paul has extensive experience in venture capital and focuses on early-stage investments.
Vatshal de Paz, PhD - Partner. Vatshal specializes in data science and its applications in biotechnology.
Ben Painter - Partner. Ben has a background in operational roles and focuses on supporting portfolio companies.
Gina Sawyer - Partner. Gina has experience in venture capital and works with startups on their growth strategies.
To pitch Genoa Ventures, founders should reach out via email at jenny@genoavc.com. It is recommended to include a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines the business model, market opportunity, competitive landscape, and financial projections. Founders should also be prepared for a follow-up discussion to delve deeper into their business.
Response times can vary, but founders can expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are preferred, as they can facilitate a more favorable review process.
In October 2024, Genoa Ventures announced the promotion of Landon Merrill to Partner, strengthening its leadership in science-driven investing. This move reflects the firm's commitment to enhancing its investment capabilities in the bioconvergence space.
In November 2025, Genoa Ventures was named to the Inc. Founder-Friendly Investors list for the fifth consecutive year, recognizing its dedication to supporting founders and their ventures.
Genoa Ventures continues to actively invest in early-stage companies, focusing on the intersection of biology and technology, although specific recent investments have not been publicly disclosed.
What are Genoa Ventures' investment criteria?
Genoa Ventures invests in early-stage companies at the intersection of biology and technology, focusing on sectors such as biotech, healthcare, AI, agtech, and consumer products. They seek science-driven startups that have the potential to create significant market impact.
How can I apply or pitch to Genoa Ventures?
Founders can pitch Genoa Ventures by reaching out via email at jenny@genoavc.com. It is advisable to include a detailed overview of the business, the problem it addresses, and how it aligns with their investment focus.
What makes Genoa Ventures different from other venture capital firms?
Genoa Ventures specializes in bioconvergence investing, which focuses on the intersection of biology and technology. Their team has diverse expertise in these fields, allowing them to provide strategic guidance and operational support to portfolio companies.
What is the geographic scope of Genoa Ventures?
The firm primarily operates in North America, focusing on early-stage investments in companies that align with their bioconvergence thesis.
What is the typical fund size and check size for Genoa Ventures?
Genoa Ventures' Fund II closed at $84 million, and they are currently investing from their third fund, the size of which has not been disclosed. Check sizes typically range from $500,000 to $5 million.
What kind of post-investment involvement does Genoa Ventures have?
Genoa Ventures emphasizes providing operational support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, leveraging their team's expertise to help startups navigate challenges and accelerate growth.
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