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RiverVest

North America, Missouri, United States, St Louis

Description

RiverVest Venture Partners is a prominent venture capital firm headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, with a dedicated focus on identifying, shaping, and investing in early-stage life science companies. Since its inception in 2000, the firm has established itself as a key player in the biotech, medical device, and diagnostics sectors, aiming to create substantial shareholder value through strategic capital deployment and active portfolio management. Their approach emphasizes deep scientific and medical expertise, allowing them to thoroughly evaluate and support groundbreaking innovations from their nascent stages.

The firm primarily targets Series A and B financing rounds, indicating a preference for companies that have demonstrated initial proof-of-concept or are poised for significant clinical or commercial development. RiverVest is known for its hands-on engagement with portfolio companies, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance, operational support, and access to a vast network of industry experts. This collaborative model is designed to accelerate the development of promising technologies and bring them closer to market success, addressing critical unmet medical needs.

In terms of investment scale, RiverVest typically deploys initial checks ranging from $5 million to $15 million, reflecting their commitment to providing meaningful early-stage capital. They often participate in subsequent funding rounds, with total investments per company potentially reaching between $15 million and $30 million. Demonstrating their long-term commitment and significant market presence, RiverVest has successfully raised over $1.3 billion across six venture funds since its founding.

Their track record underscores a consistent ability to identify and nurture successful ventures. The firm has invested in over 60 life science companies, a testament to their broad reach and active pipeline. Furthermore, more than 20 of their portfolio companies have achieved successful exits, either through strategic acquisitions by larger pharmaceutical or medical device companies or by going public. These outcomes highlight RiverVest's capacity to generate strong returns for its limited partners while contributing to advancements in healthcare.

Investor Profile

RiverVest has backed more than 91 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 18 rounds, about 20% of its total and boasts 27 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.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Medical.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $15M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (31%)
  • Series A (25%)
  • Series C (18%)
  • Series D (13%)
  • Series Unknown (9%)
  • Convertible Note (2%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (1%)
  • Series E (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (100%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Medical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Therapeutics
  • Medical Device
  • Biopharma
  • Manufacturing
  • Life Science
  • Oncology
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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 RiverVest frequently co-invest with?

OrbiMed
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 7
3×5 Partners
North America, Oregon, United States, Portland
Co-Investments: 8
New Enterprise Associates
North America, California, United States, Menlo Park
Co-Investments: 7
3x5 Special Opportunity Fund
North America, Missouri, United States, St Louis
Co-Investments: 8
Digitalis Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 7
Novo Ventures
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Bagsværd
Co-Investments: 7
Novo Holdings
Europe, Hovedstaden, Denmark, Hellerup
Co-Investments: 13
Alta Partners
North America, Mississippi, United States, Jackson
Co-Investments: 10
Rock Springs Capital
North America, Maryland, United States, Baltimore
Co-Investments: 7
Roche Venture Fund
Europe, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland, Basel
Co-Investments: 10

Which angels does RiverVest often collaborate with?

Shu Duan
Asia, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by RiverVest?

Avalyn Pharma

Seattle, Washington, United States

Avalyn Pharma is a biopharma company developing therapies for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory diseases.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyMedicalPharmaceutical
Series DJul 22, 2025
Amount Raised: $100,000,000
Biolinq

San Diego, California, United States

Biolinq develops a wearable biosensor platform that is capable of measuring blood level information.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical DeviceWearables
Series CApr 22, 2025
Amount Raised: $100,000,000
Glycomine

San Francisco, California, United States

Glycomine is an early-stage biotech working on replacement therapies for rare diseases.

BiotechnologyPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series CApr 16, 2025
Amount Raised: $115,000,000
Atalanta Therapeutics

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Atalanta Therapeutics is a biotechnology company pioneering new treatment options for neurodegenerative diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife Science
Series BJan 28, 2025
Amount Raised: $97,000,000
Alleviant Medical

Austin, Texas, United States

Alleviant Medical develops transcatheter technology designed to lift the clinical and economic burden of heart failure.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth CareMedical Device
Series UnknownJan 14, 2025
Amount Raised: $90,000,000
InterVene

South San Francisco, California, United States

InterVene is a medical device company that treats severe venous disease in the legs.

Health CareMedicalMedical Device
Series AOct 7, 2024
Amount Raised: $13,000,000
Bluejay Therapeutics

San Mateo, California, United States

Bluejay Therapeutics is a private biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of cures for infectious diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceutical
Series CMay 9, 2024
Amount Raised: $182,000,000
Sparrow Pharmaceuticals

Portland, Oregon, United States

Sparrow Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for disorders of corticosteroid excess.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyPharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Series UnknownApr 24, 2024
Amount Raised: $10,200,000
Biolinq

San Diego, California, United States

Biolinq develops a wearable biosensor platform that is capable of measuring blood level information.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical DeviceWearables
Series DApr 4, 2024
Amount Raised: $58,000,000
Engrail Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Engrail Therapeutics is a developer of medicines to transform the lives of patients with life-limiting diseases of the nervous system.

Health CareLife ScienceMedicalPharmaceutical
Series BMar 19, 2024
Amount Raised: $157,000,000