Lightstone Ventures logo

Lightstone Ventures

North America, California, United States, Menlo Park

Description

Lightstone Ventures (LSV) is a prominent venture capital firm specializing in the life sciences sector, with a primary focus on biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. Established in 2012 as a spin-out from two well-regarded firms, Advanced Technology Ventures (ATV) and Morgenthaler Ventures, LSV quickly established itself as a significant player in the biotech investment landscape. The firm operates with offices in Menlo Park, California, and Boston, Massachusetts, strategically positioning itself within key innovation hubs for the life sciences. LSV's investment strategy spans from early-stage to growth-stage companies, targeting those with groundbreaking technologies and strong potential for developing personalized medicines and targeted therapeutics.

The firm's investment approach is characterized by a deep scientific and operational expertise within its team, enabling them to identify and nurture companies with high-impact potential. Lightstone Ventures has consistently raised substantial capital, demonstrating investor confidence in their strategy and execution. Their latest fund, Lightstone Ventures IV, successfully closed in 2021 with commitments totaling $300 million, bringing their total assets under management to over $1 billion across four dedicated funds. This significant capital base allows LSV to provide robust financial backing to its portfolio companies, often participating in multi-million dollar financing rounds.

LSV typically seeks to be a lead or significant investor in its portfolio companies, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and access to a vast network within the healthcare industry. Their portfolio includes companies developing novel therapies for various diseases, as well as innovative medical technologies aimed at improving patient care. While initial check sizes can vary based on the stage and capital requirements of the company, Lightstone Ventures is known for making substantial early-stage investments, often in the range of $5 million to $20 million, with significant reserves for follow-on rounds to support portfolio companies through critical development milestones. Their commitment to long-term partnerships underscores their dedication to fostering the growth of transformative life science ventures.

Investor Profile

Lightstone Ventures has backed more than 66 startups, with 4 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 15 rounds, about 23% of its total and boasts 12 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Ireland, United Kingdom.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Therapeutics.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $20M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (29%)
  • Series A (24%)
  • Series C (20%)
  • Series Unknown (9%)
  • Series D (5%)
  • Series E (5%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (2%)
  • Private Equity (2%)
  • Seed (2%)
  • Convertible Note (2%)

Country Focus

  • United States (77%)
  • Ireland (12%)
  • United Kingdom (3%)
  • China (2%)
  • Singapore (2%)
  • India (2%)
  • France (2%)
  • The Netherlands (2%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Therapeutics
  • Medical
  • Medical Device
  • Biopharma
  • Life Science
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Wearables
circle-line
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Who does Lightstone Ventures frequently co-invest with?

SV Health Investors
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 6
Google Ventures
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 11
New Enterprise Associates
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 18
Vertex Ventures HC
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 5
Atlas Venture
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 9
RA Capital Management
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Co-Investments: 6
OUP (Osage University Partners)
North America, Pennsylvania, United States, Bala Cynwyd
Co-Investments: 6
Morgenthaler Ventures
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 5
Medtronic
North America, Minnesota, United States, Minneapolis
Co-Investments: 5
Gilde Healthcare
Europe, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Utrecht
Co-Investments: 7

Which angels does Lightstone Ventures often collaborate with?

BG
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Shared Deals: 4

What are some of recent deals done by Lightstone Ventures?

Allay Therapeutics

San Jose, California, United States

Allay Therapeutics offers analgesic products for post-surgical pain management and recuperation.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
Series DJun 5, 2025
Amount Raised: $57,500,000
Atsena Therapeutics

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Atsena Therapeutics is a clinical-stage gene therapy company that develops novel treatments for inherited forms of blindness.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series CApr 2, 2025
Amount Raised: $150,000,000
FIRE1

Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical DeviceTherapeutics
Series UnknownJan 7, 2025
Amount Raised: $120,000,000
Cala Health

San Mateo, California, United States

Cala Health is a bioelectronic medicine company that develops wearable neuromodulation devices for the treatment of chronic diseases.

Health CareMedicalMedical DeviceWearables
Series CDec 9, 2024
Amount Raised: $50,000,000
Amber Therapeutics

London, England, United Kingdom

Amber Therapeutics develops the next-generation of bioelectrical therapies.

BiotechnologyTherapeutics
Series AJun 10, 2024
Amount Raised: $101,703,017
Cerevance

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Cerevance is a biotechnology company that develops novel therapeutics for neurological diseases.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceMedicalTherapeutics
Series BApr 25, 2024
Amount Raised: $47,000,000
Reprieve Cardiovascular

Milford, Massachusetts, United States

Reprieve Cardiovascular is focused on improving outcomes for patients suffering from acute decompensated heart failure.

Health CareMedical DeviceWellness
Series AFeb 20, 2024
Amount Raised: $42,000,000
Nimbus Therapeutics

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Nimbus Therapeutics uses computational technology to create selective small molecule therapeutics.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Private EquitySep 6, 2023
Amount Raised: $210,000,000
Tagworks Pharmaceuticals

Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands

Tagworks Pharmaceuticals is a privately held biotech company

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalPharmaceutical
Series AJun 22, 2023
Amount Raised: $65,000,000
Relievant Medsystems

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Relievant Medsystems is a medical device company specializing in diagnosing and treating chronic low back pain.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
Series GMar 27, 2023
Amount Raised: $50,000,000