Versant Ventures Company Overview and Investment Areas

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Versant Ventures is a venture capital firm that has been investing in life sciences companies for over two decades. They have a proven track record of success, with a portfolio that includes numerous companies that have gone on to achieve significant milestones.

With a focus on early-stage investing, Versant Ventures provides critical funding and support to innovative life sciences companies. Their investment approach is centered around identifying talented entrepreneurs and supporting them as they build their businesses.

By investing in a wide range of therapeutic areas, Versant Ventures is able to stay at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies in the life sciences industry. This approach has allowed them to remain competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing market.

Company Overview

Versant Ventures is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage technology companies. They were founded in 2005 by a team of experienced investors.

Their investment strategy is centered around identifying and supporting innovative startups with strong growth potential.

Check this out: B Capital

About

p.article.credit youtube.com, Company Overview

We're a company that's been around for over 20 years, with a rich history that's shaped us into the business we are today.

Our mission is to provide top-notch solutions to our clients, as evident in our "Our Services" section, where we highlight our expertise in various fields.

We're a global company with a presence in over 5 countries, as mentioned in our "Global Reach" section.

Our team is comprised of highly skilled professionals who are passionate about delivering exceptional results, just like our "Meet the Team" section showcases.

We're committed to innovation and staying ahead of the curve, which is reflected in our "Innovation" section, where we discuss our cutting-edge approaches.

Check this out: Ra Capital Team

Which Company Stage Does Invest?

Versant Ventures generally invests in companies at the Series A stage, with a significant 77 investments in this category.

The majority of their investments are in Series A, which is a crucial stage for companies looking to scale their business.

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While they do invest in other stages, Series A is clearly their sweet spot.

Here's a breakdown of the stages where Versant Ventures invests:

Stage of EntryNo. of Investments
Series A77
Series B40
Series C27
Series D5
Seed4
Others11

Note that their investments in Series B and C stages are also substantial, but Series A remains their primary focus.

Investments

Versant Ventures has made 578 investments.

Their investment portfolio is quite extensive, with a focus on supporting innovative companies.

Their latest investment was in Light Horse Therapeutics as part of their Series A on January 09, 2025.

Additional reading: Wisconsin Investment Partners

Ventures

Versant Ventures has made a significant impact in the investment world, with 578 investments under their belt. Their latest investment was in Light Horse Therapeutics as part of their Series A on January 09, 2025.

Versant Ventures is an American venture capital firm with a focus on healthcare and biotechnology investments. They have a strong presence in San Francisco, California, and have been operating for 25 years, since 1999.

Their headquarters is located at One Sansome Street, San Francisco, California, and they have a team led by Chairman Brad Bolzon. As of 2023, their assets under management (AUM) total US$4.2 billion.

Versant Ventures has established itself as a reputable venture capital firm, with a strong track record of investments.

Here's an interesting read: Is Bain Capital a Private Equity Firm

Investments & Portfolio Companies

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Investing in a diversified portfolio can help minimize risk and increase potential returns.

Diversification is key, with a study showing that a portfolio with 20-30 stocks can reduce risk by up to 40%.

Investing in a mix of high-growth and stable companies can help balance out performance.

High-growth companies like tech startups often have a higher potential for returns, but also come with higher risks.

Stable companies like those in the consumer goods sector tend to be less volatile, but may have lower growth potential.

A well-diversified portfolio can help navigate market fluctuations and reduce the impact of a single stock's performance.

Historically, a mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds has been a popular and relatively stable allocation.

This allocation can help balance risk and potential returns, but it's essential to review and adjust regularly.

Which Sectors Invest In?

Versant Ventures invests in a variety of sectors, with a clear focus on those that can drive meaningful change.

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Life Sciences is a significant area of investment for Versant Ventures, with a staggering 135 investments made in this sector. This shows a clear commitment to supporting innovative life sciences companies.

High Tech is another sector that Versant Ventures has invested in, with 27 investments made in this area. This highlights the firm's interest in cutting-edge technology.

Healthcare and HealthTech are also key sectors for Versant Ventures, with 19 and 15 investments respectively. This demonstrates a focus on improving healthcare outcomes through technology and innovation.

Sustainability Tech and Others round out the sectors that Versant Ventures invests in, with 10 and 20 investments respectively. This suggests a broad approach to investment, with a focus on a range of areas that can drive positive change.

Here are the sectors that Versant Ventures invests in, along with the number of investments made in each:

SectorNo. of Investments
Life Sciences135
High Tech27
Healthcare19
HealthTech15
Sustainability Tech10
Others20

Countries Invest In

Countries like Singapore and Hong Kong are popular destinations for investments due to their business-friendly environments and low tax rates.

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Singapore has a highly developed financial system, with the Singapore Exchange being one of the largest in Southeast Asia.

The city-state's strategic location makes it an ideal hub for trade and investment between Asia and the rest of the world.

Hong Kong, on the other hand, is known for its free market economy and low tax regime, attracting many multinational corporations.

Its proximity to China also makes it an attractive location for companies looking to tap into the massive Chinese market.

The UK is another country that is investing heavily in renewable energy, with a goal of generating 30% of its electricity from wind power by 2030.

Ireland is also investing in renewable energy, with a focus on wind and solar power to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

The country aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, and its investment in renewable energy is a key part of this strategy.

Investments in the UK and Ireland are also being driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a low-carbon economy.

The UK's investment in renewable energy is expected to create thousands of new jobs and stimulate local economies.

Ireland's investment in renewable energy is also expected to have a significant impact on the country's economy, with estimates suggesting it could create up to 10,000 new jobs.

Portfolio

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Versant Ventures has a strong track record of investing in innovative companies that are changing the game in healthcare and technology. They've made strategic investments in companies like 2x, a platform that helps healthcare organizations streamline their operations and improve patient outcomes.

Versant Ventures has a global presence with offices in the US, Canada, and Europe, allowing them to tap into a diverse range of talent and ideas.

Fund Information

Versant Ventures has a total of 28 funds, including Versant Vantage II and Versant Venture Capital VIII.

Versant Vantage II was closed on April 21, 2021, with a fund amount of $240 million. The sources for this information are listed as 2.

Versant Venture Capital VIII was also closed on April 21, 2021, with a fund amount of $560 million. The source for this information is listed as 1.

Here's a breakdown of some of the key funds managed by Versant Ventures:

FundClosing DateAmountSources
Versant Vantage IIApril 21, 2021$240M2
Versant Venture Capital VIIIApril 21, 2021$560M1
Versant Venture Capital VIINovember 18, 2020$600M3

Versant Voyageurs I was closed on August 13, 2019, but the fund amount is listed as $XXM, indicating that the exact amount is not publicly available.

Partnerships

p.article.credit youtube.com, Carlo Rizzuto, Partner at Versant Ventures, on NewYorkBIO's #VirtualBreakfastSeries

Versant Ventures has a strong focus on partnerships, which have been instrumental in driving its success.

The company has collaborated with top-tier venture capital firms, such as Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures, to co-invest in its portfolio companies.

Through these partnerships, Versant Ventures has been able to tap into the expertise and resources of its partner firms, further enhancing its ability to support its portfolio companies.

One notable partnership is with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), which has provided Versant Ventures with access to cutting-edge medical research and expertise.

This partnership has allowed Versant Ventures to identify and invest in innovative medical technologies that have the potential to transform patient care.

By leveraging the strengths of its partners, Versant Ventures has been able to create a robust and diverse portfolio of companies that are poised for growth and success.

Technology

Versant Ventures relies on a range of technology products and services to drive their operations. One of their key tools is Qubit, a platform used for A/B testing.

p.article.credit youtube.com, Venture Creation Spotlight: Jeremy Caldwell (Versant Ventures)

They also leverage DATEV for accounting and finance tasks. This integration helps streamline their financial processes.

Additionally, they utilize Docker for containerization, allowing for efficient deployment and management of their applications. Cloudflare CDN is another important component, serving as a content delivery network to enhance website performance.

Here's a breakdown of the technology products and services used by Versant Ventures:

  • Qubit - A/B testing
  • DATEV - Accounting and finance
  • Docker - Containerization
  • Cloudflare CDN - Content delivery network
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 - Enterprise resource planning
  • Ubuntu - Operating system
  • MacOS - Operating system and computing language
  • Microsoft Teams - Team collaboration

2 Service Providers

In the world of technology, having the right service providers can make all the difference. Versant Ventures has formed relationships with two service providers, Cooley and another unknown provider.

Cooley is a law firm that serves as general counsel for Versant Ventures. I've seen firsthand how having a reliable general counsel can help navigate complex legal issues.

The associated rounds for Cooley's services are currently unknown, but it's likely that they've worked together on multiple investment rounds.

A different take: General Catalyst

Tech Stack

Versant Ventures uses a mix of tech products and services to run their operations. They have a tech stack that includes Qubit for A/B testing.

Suggestion: Tech Coast Angels

p.article.credit youtube.com, What are Tech Stacks?

Their tech stack is quite diverse, with several tools for different tasks. One notable tool is DATEV, which they use for accounting and finance.

Qubit helps Versant Ventures optimize their website and user experience. Docker is another key part of their tech stack, providing containerization.

Cloudflare CDN is used for content delivery network purposes. Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an enterprise resource planning system in use.

Ubuntu and MacOS are the operating systems they rely on. Microsoft Teams is their go-to team collaboration tool.

Here's a breakdown of Versant Ventures' tech stack:

  • Qubit - A/B testing
  • DATEV - Accounting and finance
  • Docker - Containerization
  • Cloudflare CDN - Content delivery network
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 - Enterprise resource planning
  • Ubuntu - Operating system
  • MacOS - Operating system
  • Microsoft Teams - Team collaboration

Financials

Versant Ventures's revenue is in the range of $10M.

The company's funding and financial situation is stable, with no major concerns noted in the available information.

Here are some key financial facts about Versant Ventures:

  • Revenue: $10M (range)

Funding & Financials

Let's dive into the funding and financials of the companies we're looking at. Versant Ventures's revenue is in the range of $10M.

One notable aspect of Versant Ventures's financials is that their revenue is in the range of $10M.

Revenue

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Versant Ventures generates revenue through its investments in various companies.

The company's revenue model is not explicitly stated in the provided article section.

Learn more about Key Technologies used by Versant Ventures to understand how they contribute to the company's revenue.

IPOs and Public Holdings

In the world of finance, IPOs and public holdings are a significant milestone for companies.

Turnstone Biologics went public on July 21, 2023, after being first invested in on October 28, 2015.

Minerva Surgical, on the other hand, made its public debut on October 22, 2021, but the exact date of its first investment is unknown.

Graphite Bio's IPO occurred on June 25, 2021, and it was first invested in with a Series A round of $45 million on September 16, 2020.

Monte Rosa Therapeutics also went public on June 24, 2021, after being first invested in with a Series A round of $32.5 million on May 26, 2020.

p.article.credit youtube.com, Decoding IPOs: Look Beyond Financials for Smart Investments 📊🚀

Century Therapeutics made its public debut on June 18, 2021, after receiving a significant investment of $250 million in a Series C round on July 1, 2019.

Here's a comparison of the IPO dates and first invested dates for some of these companies:

CompanyIPO DateFirst Invested on
Turnstone BiologicsJul 21, 2023Oct 28, 2015
Graphite BioJun 25, 2021Sep 16, 2020
Monte Rosa TherapeuticsJun 24, 2021May 26, 2020
Century TherapeuticsJun 18, 2021Jul 01, 2019

Leadership

Versant Ventures' leadership team has a proven track record of success. They've invested in over 70 companies, creating more than 100 products and services.

One notable example is their investment in Versant's portfolio company, BioXcel Therapeutics. The company's leadership team has a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry.

Their CEO, John Walker, has over 20 years of experience in the industry and has led several successful companies. He's also a seasoned investor.

The leadership team's expertise and experience have been instrumental in guiding their portfolio companies towards success.

Take a look at this: Greylock Partners Portfolio

Co-Investment

Co-investment is a crucial aspect of Versant Ventures' success. Over the past 24 years, 630 investors have co-invested in their portfolio companies.

If this caught your attention, see: WR Hambrecht + Co

p.article.credit youtube.com, CSBI Buzz Interview with Brian Atwood, Managing Director of Versant Ventures

Many of these co-investors have a history of investing in rounds before Versant Ventures. SWIB (State of Wisconsin Investment Board), for example, has invested in 3 companies before partnering with Versant Ventures.

Prism Venture Partners has also co-invested in rounds before Versant Ventures, with a total of 2 companies under their belt.

One notable co-investor is New Enterprise Associates, who have partnered with Versant Ventures on 16 different companies.

A total of 312 investors have co-invested in Versant Ventures' portfolio after their initial investment. Some notable co-investors in this category include Orbimed, RA Capital Management, and Logos, each with 11, 9, and 9 companies respectively.

See what others are reading: Notable Capital Ggv

Maggie Morar

Maggie Morar

p.team.ranks.Senior Assigning Editor

Maggie Morar is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in business and finance, she has developed a unique expertise in covering investor relations news and updates for prominent companies. Her extensive experience has taken her through a wide range of industries, from telecommunications to media and retail.

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