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KdT Ventures is a premier seed-stage venture capital firm founded in 2017 by Cain McClary, MD. The firm is based in the United States and focuses on supporting founders who are engineering advancements in frontier science, particularly in medicine, chemicals, and materials. KdT Ventures has established itself as a key player in the early-stage investment landscape, with a total AUM exceeding $250 million across four funds.
The firm has launched multiple funds, including Fund I (undisclosed), Fund II ($50 million, oversubscribed, closed around 2021), and Fund IV ($100 million, oversubscribed, announced in October 2024). KdT Ventures is known for its deep domain expertise, with a team that collectively holds nine advanced degrees and has 48 years of combined scientific and clinical training.
Notable milestones include their commitment to investing in high-uncertainty ventures with significant scaling potential, particularly those innovating at the molecular level. Their office is located in the United States, and they have built a reputation for being one of the few VC firms with a deeply scientific investment team.
KdT Ventures primarily invests in companies innovating at the intersection of science, engineering, and computation. Their investment strategy emphasizes early-stage ventures, particularly in the pre-seed and seed funding rounds, where they often lead or co-lead investments. The firm targets high-uncertainty ventures that have the potential for significant scaling, focusing on sectors such as biotech, healthcare, climate, industrial, AI, fintech, consumer, energy, and digital health.
The firm typically writes checks ranging from $500,000 to $5 million, reflecting their commitment to supporting transformative technologies. KdT Ventures seeks founders who demonstrate a strong understanding of scientific principles and are working on solutions that address foundational aspects of reality, including biology, chemistry, physics, and computation. Their investment thesis is rooted in the belief that advancements in these areas can lead to significant societal benefits.
KdT Ventures has a diverse portfolio of nine companies that span various sectors, particularly in frontier science and technology. Notable portfolio companies include:
These companies reflect KdT Ventures' commitment to investing in high-impact, innovative solutions that address critical challenges in healthcare, biotechnology, and materials science.
Cain McClary, MD — Founder & Managing Partner. Cain has a background in medicine and extensive experience in venture capital, focusing on frontier science and technology.
Blair Willette — Associate. Blair supports the investment team with research and due diligence, contributing to the firm's focus on early-stage ventures.
Ketan Yerneni — Principal. Ketan brings expertise in scientific research and investment analysis, playing a key role in identifying promising startups.
Patrick Malone — Partner. Patrick has a strong background in technology commercialization and works closely with portfolio companies to enhance their growth strategies.
Mack Healy — Managing Partner. Mack has significant experience in venture capital and focuses on strategic investments in frontier science.
Kaitlyn Davis — Head of Operations. Kaitlyn oversees the operational aspects of the firm, ensuring efficient processes and support for portfolio companies.
Phil Grayeski — Managing Partner. Phil has a background in scientific research and venture capital, contributing to the firm's investment strategy.
Yusuf Uddin — Head of Talent. Yusuf focuses on talent acquisition and development within the portfolio companies, helping them build strong teams.
To pitch KdT Ventures, founders should use the contact form available on their website at kdtvc.com/contact. It is important to include a comprehensive overview of the business, including the problem being solved, the solution offered, market opportunity, and team qualifications. KdT Ventures appreciates detailed decks that clearly outline the scientific and technological aspects of the venture.
Response times may vary, but founders should expect to hear back within a few weeks. Warm introductions are beneficial but not strictly necessary.
In October 2024, KdT Ventures announced the closing of Fund IV, which raised $100 million and was oversubscribed. This fund will focus on early-stage investments in frontier science companies.
In March 2021, KdT Ventures successfully closed Fund II at $50 million, which was also oversubscribed, highlighting the firm's growing reputation in the venture capital space.
Recent portfolio activity includes investments in companies like PathAI and Tavros Therapeutics, showcasing KdT Ventures' commitment to advancing healthcare and biotechnology.
What are KdT Ventures' investment criteria?
KdT Ventures focuses on early-stage companies innovating at the intersection of science, engineering, and computation. They typically invest in sectors such as biotech, healthcare, climate, industrial, AI, fintech, consumer, energy, and digital health. The firm looks for high-uncertainty ventures with significant scaling potential.
How can founders apply or pitch to KdT Ventures?
Founders can pitch to KdT Ventures through their contact form available on their website at kdtvc.com/contact. It is advisable to include a detailed overview of the business model, market opportunity, and team background in the pitch.
What makes KdT Ventures different from other VC firms?
KdT Ventures differentiates itself through its deep scientific expertise and focus on frontier science. The firm has a team with extensive backgrounds in science and engineering, allowing them to provide significant value to portfolio companies navigating complex technological challenges.
What is the geographic scope of KdT Ventures' investments?
KdT Ventures primarily invests in companies based in the United States. Their focus is on early-stage ventures that are innovating in sectors critical to the future of technology and science.
What is the typical check size for investments?
KdT Ventures typically invests between $500,000 and $5 million in their portfolio companies, reflecting their commitment to supporting early-stage ventures with substantial growth potential.
What kind of post-investment involvement does KdT Ventures have?
KdT Ventures provides operational support and strategic guidance to its portfolio companies, leveraging the team's scientific and engineering expertise to help startups scale their innovations effectively.
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