Celebrating New Horizons: Santa Cruz Ventures Invests in Two Groundbreaking Startups
“We at Santa Cruz Ventures are thrilled to announce the expansion of our portfolio with investments in two exceptional start-ups: RealSeq BioSciences and Calorify,” announced Alexi Sevastopoulos, Partner. “These companies are not just businesses to us; they represent a leap forward in our mission to enhance the human condition through innovative technology and scientific discovery”.
Introducing Our Newest Innovators
RealSeq BioSciences: Revolutionizing RNA-Based Diagnostics
RealSeq BioSciences stands at the forefront of biotechnological innovation with its focus on RNA-based diagnostics. In March 2024, the company successfully closed an extended seed round, welcoming new investors including Charleston Angel Partners, Santa Clara Ventures, and ourselves, alongside continued support from early backers led by Tech Coast Angels. This investment will fuel the development of RealSeq's RiboMarker(TM) platform, a pioneering approach in biomarker discovery and liquid biopsy programs. By harnessing the power of RNA technologies, RealSeq aims to transform healthcare through the early detection of diseases and the advancement of precision medicine.
"We are excited to have the local support of Santa Cruz Ventures as we continue to advance our RNA technologies," said Dr.Sergio Barberan-Soler, Founder & CEO. "This additional funding allows us to accelerate our research and development and bring our innovative RiboMarker(TM) platform to the market faster. We are looking forward to continuing to expand the company's presence in Santa Cruz."
Behind the Breakthrough
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Founding Year: 2019, with 10 dedicated employees
Leadership
CEO: Dr. Sergio Barberan-Soler, a visionary with a UC Santa Cruz PhD
CSO: Dr. Sergei Kazakov, a Yale PhD holder
COO: Anne Scholz, bringing her SCU MBA insights
Scientific Advisor/Co-Founder: Dr. Brian Johnston, backed by a UC Berkeley PhD
By the Numbers
RealSeq holds 10 approved US/EP patents, with 3 more on the way.
With a clear path to exit within 3-5 years, RealSeq is on a trajectory towards significant impact and success.
Calorify: Pioneering Metabolic Measurement
Calorify is revolutionizing the way we understand and measure metabolism. By commercializing an affordable and hyper-accurate metabolic measurement system, they've made significant strides in health tech. Their patent-pending doubly-labeled water lab, the largest of its kind, enables unprecedented precision in tracking metabolism, body composition, and more. This innovation opens the door for both organizations and individuals to access metabolic testing with over 99% accuracy—a stark contrast to the approximately 55% accuracy of current wearable technologies.
“We’re thrilled to bring on Santa Cruz Ventures as part of our recent pre-seed financing,” exclaimed Dr. Hari Mix, CEO. “It means a lot to our young company to have the support of local investors and the entire Santa Cruz community.”
Meet the Movers
Location: Scotts Valley, CA
Founding Year: 2022, with a passionate team of 5
Executive Team:
CEO: Dr. Hari Mix, with a rich background from Stanford
COO: Nolan Meyer, bringing his SCU knowledge
VP of Business Development: Karl Etzel, with a history of success from Notre Dame to UC Irvine
Achievements and Aspirations
Boasting the world's largest doubly-labeled water lab, Calorify is involved in significant clinical trials and partnerships.
Their early-stage funding round has attracted notable co-investors, setting a solid foundation for growth.
Join Us on This Journey
As Santa Cruz Ventures continues to grow, we are always looking for partners who share our vision of making As Santa Cruz Ventures continues its expansion, it is constantly in search of partners who align with its vision of fostering a tangible impact on the world through innovation. Whether individuals are interested in enhancing their commitment to the venture fund, engaging with its portfolio companies, or simply seeking to understand more about its mission, Santa Cruz Ventures welcomes their curiosity and enthusiasm.
The firm's investments in RealSeq BioSciences and Calorify transcend mere financial engagements; they represent a significant contribution towards a future where technology and science pave the way for healthier, more informed societies. Santa Cruz Ventures is optimistic about the future and extends an invitation to all to join this remarkable journey.