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EMBL Ventures

Europe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, Heidelberg

Description

EMBL Ventures is a European venture capital firm based in Heidelberg, Germany, specializing in early-stage life science investments. Established with a strong connection to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), the firm leverages this scientific heritage to identify and support groundbreaking innovations in healthcare. Their investment philosophy centers on fostering the development of novel products and technologies that address significant unmet medical needs.

The firm primarily targets companies operating within the therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, and research tools sectors. EMBL Ventures typically engages with startups at the Seed and Series A stages, seeking out ventures with robust scientific foundations and considerable growth potential. Beyond capital, they are known for providing strategic guidance and operational support, aiming to help portfolio companies navigate the complex landscape of life science development and achieve critical milestones.

EMBL Ventures manages funds with a total committed capital exceeding €100 million, demonstrating a substantial capacity for investment in the life science ecosystem. Their initial investment strategy typically involves first cheques ranging from €0.5 million to €3 million, which translates to approximately $540,000 to $3,240,000 based on recent exchange rates. Furthermore, the firm has the capacity for significant follow-on investments, potentially committing up to €8 million per company over its lifecycle, underscoring their long-term commitment to their portfolio.

This approach allows EMBL Ventures to play a pivotal role in translating cutting-edge scientific research into commercial success, contributing to the advancement of healthcare solutions. Their deep industry expertise and hands-on support make them a strategic partner for early-stage life science companies looking to scale and bring their innovations to market.

Investor Profile

EMBL Ventures has backed more than 20 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 5 rounds, about 25% of its total and boasts 6 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series B, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Germany, United Kingdom, Austria.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
  • Typical check size: $540K – $3.2M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (45%)
  • Series B (30%)
  • Series C (15%)
  • Series D (10%)

Country Focus

  • Germany (65%)
  • United Kingdom (10%)
  • Austria (10%)
  • Ireland (10%)
  • Romania (5%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Biopharma
  • Advanced Materials
  • Chemical
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Bioinformatics
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does EMBL Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Gimv
Europe, Antwerpen, Belgium, Antwerpen
Co-Investments: 3
BioMedPartners
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Co-Investments: 3
LSP BioVentures
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 2
Amgen Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 2
Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund
Europe, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, Ingelheim Am Rhein
Co-Investments: 3
Baxter International
North America, Illinois, United States, Deerfield
Co-Investments: 2
Andera Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
Vesalius Biocapital Partners
Europe, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Strassen
Co-Investments: 2
Sofinnova Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
Epidarex Capital
North America, Maryland, United States, Bethesda
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does EMBL Ventures often collaborate with?

NB
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by EMBL Ventures?

Topas Therapeutics

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

A biotechnology company focused on developing products to address areas of major unmet need.

Advanced MaterialsBiotechnologyChemicalChemical Engineering
Series BJul 29, 2021
Amount Raised: $21,404,695
Topas Therapeutics

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

A biotechnology company focused on developing products to address areas of major unmet need.

Advanced MaterialsBiotechnologyChemicalChemical Engineering
Series BOct 19, 2020
Amount Raised: $25,890,577
Crescendo Biologics

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Crescendo Biologics is engaged in the development of a proprietary drug portfolio based on their VH antibody fragment platform.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series BApr 30, 2018
Amount Raised: $70,000,000
Arsanis

Vienna, Wien, Austria

Arsanis is a biopharmaceutical company developing infectious disease treatments based on bacterial protein and carbohydrate antigens.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife Science
Series DApr 26, 2017
Amount Raised: $45,500,000
Luxendo

Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Luxendo develops and manufactures proprietary light-sheet fluorescence microscopy instruments.

BioinformaticsBiotechnologyManufacturing
Series AJan 12, 2017
Amount Raised: $8,493,056
Allecra Therapeutics

Weil Am Rhein, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Allecra is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel treatments to combat multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyPharmaceutical
Series BJun 15, 2016
Amount Raised: $24,780,328
Topas Therapeutics

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

A biotechnology company focused on developing products to address areas of major unmet need.

Advanced MaterialsBiotechnologyChemicalChemical Engineering
Series AMar 22, 2016
Amount Raised: $15,703,236
Luxendo

Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Luxendo develops and manufactures proprietary light-sheet fluorescence microscopy instruments.

BioinformaticsBiotechnologyManufacturing
Series AOct 14, 2015
Amount Raised: $6,884,437
Vira Therapeutics

Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria

ViraTherapeutics develops highly potent anti-cancer therapeutics based on oncolytic viruses.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Series AJun 24, 2015
Amount Raised: $4,033,496
ImevaX

Munich, Bayern, Germany

ImevaX is a biopharmaceutical company founded in 2014 based in Munich, Germany

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Series AOct 28, 2014
Amount Raised: $9,551,585