Outliers Fund

Outliers Fund is a Palo Alto, California-based venture capital firm established in 2021, dedicated to backing scientist-led ventures. The firm distinguishes itself by leveraging scientific research and collective intelligence to identify and support groundbreaking innovations. Their core mission revolves around empowering founders with deep scientific expertise, aiming to translate complex research into impactful commercial applications across various deep technology sectors.

The fund primarily focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies, targeting early-stage startups that are often spun out of university labs or research institutions. Their investment thesis spans critical areas such as life sciences, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and climate tech. Outliers Fund seeks to partner with teams that possess a profound understanding of their scientific domain, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance rooted in a deep appreciation for the scientific process and its commercialization challenges.

In August 2022, Outliers Fund successfully closed its inaugural fund, Outliers Fund I, with $10 million in capital commitments. This initial fund enables them to deploy capital into promising early-stage companies. Typical initial checks from Outliers Fund range from $250,000 to $750,000, reflecting their commitment to providing crucial early-stage capital. As of early 2024, their portfolio includes approximately 15 companies, demonstrating their active engagement in the deep tech ecosystem.