Digitalis Ventures

Digitalis Ventures Research Investment Thesis Digitalis Ventures invests in solutions to unmet needs in human and animal health. The firm believes that complex health problems require multidisciplinary teams combining deep technical, financial, and domain expertise. They support early-stage companies leveraging breakthrough science and technology-enabled solutions across life sciences, health technologies & services, and animal health, with a focus on supporting portfolio companies throughout their development journey. Sector Focus Digitalis operates across three primary verticals: Human Health: Biotechnology companies leveraging breakthrough science to improve human health Technology-enabled solutions improving access to care and health outcomes while reducing costs Focus areas include oncology, immunology, genetic therapies, diagnostics, digital therapeutics, and infrastructure/enabling technologies Animal Health: Companies improving animal health through breakthrough science, technology, and design Partnership with Mars Petcare (world's largest petcare company) provides operational scale and access to 70,000+ veterinary professionals Focus on pet therapeutics, veterinary technology, pet nutrition, pet insurance, and animal healthcare services Supporting Ecosystem: Digitalis Commons: Non-profit developing public-interest technologies for better health Digitalis Research: Applied research organization building new ideas at intersection of health and technology The Digitalis Group: Integrated holding company spanning venture, research, and nonprofit work Stage Focus Digitalis invests across all stages from pre-seed through growth: Pre-Seed : Early research and prototype validation Seed : Product-market fit validation with early customers Series A-B : Scaling proven business models Growth/Later : Portfolio follow-ons and supporting scale The firm has demonstrated particular strength in identifying and supporting companies through multiple financing rounds, with a track record of successful exits and scale-ups. Check Size Based on portfolio data: Pre-Seed : $250K-$1M Seed : $1M-$5M Series A-B : $5M-$50M+ Growth : Larger follow-on rounds Digitalis is flexible on check size depending on company stage and opportunity, and frequently co-leads rounds with strategic partners. Lead Tendency Leads and Co-Leads: Digitalis frequently leads or co-leads rounds across all stages. Recent activity shows them leading seed and Series A rounds while also participating meaningfully in larger follow-ons. The firm acts as both lead investor and strategic partner, leveraging their domain expertise and operational networks. Team Structure and Decision Process Leadership Team (8+ Partners): Geoffrey W. Smith - Founder / Managing Partner Misti Ushio - Managing Partner Samuel Bjork - Partner Amit Bansal - Partner Drew Taylor - Partner Ben Jacobs - Partner Dac Nguyen - Technical Partner Cindy Cole - Technical Partner Supporting Team: Travis Hughes (Principal) Lauren Holtvoigt (Associate) Michael Fall (Associate) Bo Stewart (Associate) Steve Allen (Emeritus Partner) Decision Process: Partnership structure with technical partners providing deep domain expertise. Investment decisions involve multidisciplinary team combining clinical, scientific, financial, and operational perspectives. Fund Status and AUM Assets Under Management: Over $800 million Recent Funds: Companion Fund II (with Mars Petcare): $300 million, focused on animal health (closed October 2023) Main Fund IV: $300 million (closed October 2022) Total firm AUM: $800M+ Current Activity: Actively deploying capital as of February 2026. Latest investments include Protego Biopharma (December 2025), Galatea Bio (March 2025), and numerous ongoing portfolio investments. Recent Activity (2025-2026) Human Health Recent Investments: Protego Biopharma (December 2025) - First-in-class therapies for protein misfolding diseases Galatea Bio (March 2025) - Genetic therapeutics platform, $25M investment Nuvig Therapeutics - Gene therapy for CNS disorders EpiBiologics - $107M Series B for novel bispecific antibodies Positive Development - $45M growth facility for developmental therapy and autism diagnostics Findhelp - Behavioral and mental health care access platform Alterome Therapeutics - Small molecule cancer therapies, $132M Series B (April 2024) Animal Health Recent Investments: Gallant Therapeutics (July 2025) - Pet stem cell therapy, $18M Series B ASTRA Therapeutics (July 2025) - Anti-parasitic drugs, CHF 7.75M seed round Petmedix (Acquired by Zoetis) - Novel antibody therapeutics for companion animals ScoutBio (Acquired by Ceva Santé Animale) - One-time therapies for chronic pet health Scratchpay - Smart payment solutions for veterinary care Native Pet - Functional nutrition for pets Pawp - Pet health services platform Napo - Pet insurance with preventative wellness focus Omni - Pet nutrition innovation Portfolio Status: As of January 2026, 63 portfolio companies with 4 new investments in the last 12 months. The firm has seen at least 5 acquisitions in the past 3 years. Portfolio Highlights Notable Exits: PetMedix (Zoetis), ScoutBio (Ceva Santé Animale), SeQure Dx (MaxCyte), Ansel (Renaissance), Good Therapeutics (Roche) Active Portfolio: 50+ companies spanning oncology, immunology, gene therapy, diagnostics, digital health, pet health, and functional nutrition. Geographic Focus Headquarters: New York City with investors in Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Gainesville (Florida), and Zurich (Switzerland). Primary Markets: United States; Secondary Markets: Europe (UK, Switzerland), Australia, Canada Investment Philosophy Deep domain expertise, multidisciplinary partnership approach, long-term support throughout company development, platform approach leveraging Digitalis Group resources, and strategic Mars Petcare partnership providing animal health portfolio companies with access to 70,000+ veterinary professionals and global networks. Founder Preferences Ideal founders have deep domain expertise in health (MD, PhD, DVM preferred), entrepreneurial track record, mission-driven approach, and openness to multidisciplinary partnerships. Competitive Advantages Operational Network: Access to 70,000+ veterinary professionals through Mars partnership Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of regulatory landscape and clinical validation in health sectors Follow-on Capital: Strong ability to support portfolio companies through multiple rounds Strategic Partnerships: Mars, research institutions, clinical experts, tier-1 co-investors Platform Services: Research and insights from Digitalis Research organization Founder Community: Network of successful health entrepreneurs and operators