Breakout Ventures

Breakout Ventures is a San Francisco-based early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to funding "bold scientist entrepreneurs" at the nexus of technology and biology. The firm primarily targets Seed and Series A rounds, focusing on companies that leverage deep scientific breakthroughs to address significant market needs. Their investment philosophy centers on identifying founders with strong scientific acumen who are translating complex research into scalable commercial ventures, often in areas traditionally considered "hard tech" or "deep science."

The firm's portfolio spans a diverse range of sectors within the life sciences and deep tech, including synthetic biology, advanced materials, computational biology, diagnostics, and novel therapeutics. Breakout Ventures emphasizes a hands-on approach, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance, access to their extensive network of scientific advisors, and operational support to help these science-driven companies navigate the challenges of commercialization. They are known for their patient capital approach, understanding that deep tech innovations often require longer development cycles.

Breakout Ventures has demonstrated significant growth in its capital base, having closed its second fund, Breakout Ventures II, at $112 million in 2022, following its inaugural $60 million fund in 2018. This increased capital allows them to support their portfolio companies more robustly through subsequent rounds. Typical initial check sizes for Breakout Ventures range from approximately $500,000 to $5 million, depending on the stage and specific needs of the company. They are prepared to lead or co-lead rounds, often participating in follow-on investments as their portfolio companies mature. Their commitment to backing foundational scientific innovation makes them a key player in the early-stage deep tech ecosystem.