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Illumina Ventures

North America, California, United States, Foster City

Description

Illumina Ventures is an independent venture capital firm dedicated to fostering innovation in the genomics and precision health sectors. Based in Foster City, California, the firm's core mission revolves around leveraging genomic and multi-omic technologies to significantly improve human health outcomes. While sharing a name with the genomics giant Illumina Inc., Illumina Ventures operates as a distinct entity, providing strategic capital and operational support to early-stage companies poised to transform healthcare. Their investment thesis is deeply rooted in the belief that unlocking the power of the genome is key to developing next-generation diagnostics, therapeutics, and research tools.

The firm primarily targets seed and Series A funding rounds, identifying promising startups that align with their specialized focus. Illumina Ventures has demonstrated a consistent commitment to the space, having successfully raised multiple funds, including a $230 million Fund I, a $260 million Fund II in 2020, and most recently, a $340 million Fund III in 2023. Their typical initial investment ranges from $1 million to $10 million, reflecting their strategy of providing meaningful early capital to help companies achieve critical milestones. This focused approach allows them to build concentrated portfolios of high-potential ventures.

Beyond capital, Illumina Ventures emphasizes a partnership model, offering portfolio companies access to deep scientific and industry expertise, a robust network of key opinion leaders, and strategic guidance. Their team comprises seasoned investors and scientific advisors with extensive backgrounds in genomics, life sciences, and healthcare. This specialized knowledge enables them to provide invaluable support to founders navigating the complex landscape of biotech and precision medicine, ultimately aiming to accelerate the development and commercialization of groundbreaking technologies that can profoundly impact global health.

Investor Profile

Illumina Ventures has backed more than 73 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 25 rounds, about 34% 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 United States, France, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
  • Led 3 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $1M – $10M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (29%)
  • Series B (25%)
  • Series C (15%)
  • Series D (10%)
  • Series Unknown (10%)
  • Seed (8%)
  • Series E (3%)
  • Debt Financing (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (85%)
  • France (11%)
  • United Kingdom (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Life Science
  • Genetics
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical Device
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
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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 Illumina Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Alexandria Venture Investments
North America, California, United States, Pasadena
Co-Investments: 8
Google Ventures
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 5
Casdin Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 11
Kurma Partners
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 7
Menlo Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 5
Polaris Partners
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 7
The Column Group
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 5
Lux Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 5
M Ventures
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 5
ARCH Venture Partners
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Co-Investments: 10

Which angels does Illumina Ventures often collaborate with?

RS
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
David R. Walt
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 2
Shared Deals: 1
AA
North America, Maryland, United States, Rockville
Shared Deals: 1
WR
North America, California, United States, La Jolla
Shared Deals: 1
BG
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Shared Deals: 3
BN
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
SK
North America, California, United States, Rancho Santa Fe
Shared Deals: 1
AE
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 1
RM
Europe, Ireland
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Illumina Ventures?

NuCicer

Davis, California, United States

NuCicer offers high-protein chickpea ingredients with added value in the agri-food system.

BioinformaticsBiotechnologyFood and BeverageFood ProcessingGenetics
Series AJul 30, 2025
Amount Raised: $11,500,000
Infinity Bio

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Infinity Bio is a biotech company that offers analytics and insight services for antibody reactome profiling against all human viruses.

BiometricsBiotechnologyMedicalProduct Research
Series AJun 18, 2025
Amount Raised: $8,000,000
Arima Genomics

San Diego, California, United States

Arima Genomics is a biotechnology company that develops solutions to drive genomics discovery.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceMedical
Series CJun 17, 2025
Amount Raised: $22,000,000
Attovia Therapeutics

San Carlos, California, United States

Attovia Therapeutics is a biologics platform specializing in biotherapeutics for immune-mediated diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Series CApr 15, 2025
Amount Raised: $90,000,000
Integrated Biosciences

Redwood City, California, United States

Integrated Biosciences develops next-generation therapeutics.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyLife ScienceMachine LearningTherapeutics
SeedOct 3, 2024
Amount Raised: $17,200,000
SyntaxBio

Chicago, Illinois, United States

SyntaxBio develops genetic programming platform that can program cells without the need for consistent external intervention.

BiotechnologyMedicalProduct Research
SeedSep 17, 2024
Predicta Biosciences

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Predicta Biosciences uses multiomics and liquid biopsies in precision oncology to create innovative diagnostics and therapies.

BiotechnologyHealth DiagnosticsTherapeutics
SeedJul 16, 2024
Amount Raised: $5,200,000
Attovia Therapeutics

Fremont, California, United States

Attovia Therapeutics develops a pipeline of biotherapeutics for immune-mediated diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Series BMay 9, 2024
Amount Raised: $105,000,000
Iambic Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Iambic Therapeutics is disrupting the therapeutics landscape with its unique AI-driven drug-discovery platform.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningSoftwareTherapeutics
Series BApr 24, 2024
Amount Raised: $50,000,000
Stilla Technologies

Villejuif, Ile-de-France, France

Stilla Technologies is a Paris-based european biotechnology company.

BiotechnologyConsumer ResearchGeneticsTest and Measurement
Series CFeb 22, 2024
Amount Raised: $26,500,000