UpStart Ventures

Profile

UpStart Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah, founded in 2009. The firm focuses on seed and early-stage investments in the healthcare sector, primarily targeting companies leveraging breakthrough technologies from major research universities in Utah and its surrounding states. Their team, endowed with extensive experience in the healthcare domain, emphasizes sourcing technology with high commercial potential and forming sustainable partnerships with academic leaders.

UpStart Ventures invests in sectors such as medical devices, drug delivery systems, and diagnostics, with a long-term vision extending to biopharma products and platforms. While their typical investments range within the seed stage, the firm collaborates closely with scientific co-founders to ensure effective commercial execution. They leverage their in-depth executive management experience to maintain funding efficiencies and minimize early-stage operational costs.

Notable portfolio companies include XableCath - peripheral arterial catheters, and Q Therapeutics - joint ventures with REPROCELL. The firm's overarching strategy involves providing growth and exit expertise, supported by their track record of organizing and financing life science startups since 1985.