First In Ventures

First In Ventures Research Investment Thesis First In Ventures is an early-stage biotech investment firm that focuses on the intersection of genomics and data science. The firm was founded on the principle of supporting talented biotech founders who struggle to secure initial financial support. First In Ventures partners with the Illumina Accelerator to provide seed capital, often being the first institutional money in, along with mentoring, business advice, and operational guidance to help founders build successful companies from the ground up. The firm's core belief is that early-stage biotech founders with innovative scientific ideas need more than just capital—they need experienced business builders and industry mentors who can help navigate the complexities of clinical development, regulatory affairs, and scaling. First In Ventures combines financial resources with hands-on operational support, making them particularly valuable to life sciences founders at the critical early stages. Sector Focus First In Ventures invests exclusively in the biotech and life sciences sector with a particular emphasis on: Genomics and genetic testing companies Precision medicine and personalized health Bioinformatics and data science applications in biology Diagnostic and laboratory testing innovations Clinical-stage therapeutics Healthcare technology at the intersection of software and biology The firm explicitly seeks companies that leverage computational and data science approaches to solve biological and medical problems, reflecting their stated focus on the genomics-data science intersection. Stage Focus First In Ventures targets the earliest stages of company development: Pre-seed: Initial funding for proof-of-concept development Seed: $50K-$200K typical range for teams with early scientific validation The firm is explicitly willing and able to write the first institutional check, often being the very first investors in companies. This "first in" approach is fundamental to their strategy and brand positioning. Check Size Typical investment range: $50,000 - $200,000 Pre-seed: $50K-$100K Seed: $100K-$200K As an early-stage specialist, First In Ventures maintains a fund size and investment velocity focused on small but strategic cheques that establish relationships with founders early in their journey. Lead Tendency First In Ventures has a strong tendency to lead investment rounds. Founded specifically to solve the problem of early-stage biotech founders struggling to find initial capital, they position themselves as the first institutional investor. In some cases, they co-lead or participate in larger subsequent rounds for portfolio follow-on investments. Their partnership with the Illumina Accelerator also supports lead positioning, as accelerator-backed companies often structure funding around anchor investors. Recent Activity Recent portfolio investments include: Gliknik: Led $11.5M Series C financing (July 2021) Pluton Biosciences: Seed round participation, $6.6M raised (October 2021) Portfolio companies include both early-stage ventures and companies progressing through later funding rounds The firm's portfolio demonstrates a track record of supporting companies from seed through Series C and beyond, with many portfolio companies achieving significant milestones in clinical development and commercialization. As of recent data, the firm has invested in approximately 30 portfolio companies. Fund Status First In Ventures continues to be an active investor making new investments regularly. The firm has deployed capital steadily over its years of operation and maintains an active investment pipeline. Portfolio Highlights The portfolio spans a wide range of life sciences applications including genomics-based diagnostics, precision medicine, therapeutic development, and healthcare technology innovations. Team The firm is led by experienced operators and investors with strong backgrounds in finance, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Kyle Rusconi (Founder) brings 17 years of trading and investment experience from Wall Street. Scott Roth (Managing Member) founded multiple billion-dollar hedge funds and brings institutional investing expertise. The Investment Committee includes Ven Medabalmi (serial entrepreneur with bioengineering background), Andrew Sieghart (structured finance specialist), and Richard D. Levinson (credit specialist with Citibank background). Geographic Focus Primary investment focus: United States, with strong access to early-stage companies through the Illumina Accelerator network. Decision Process and Timeline First In Ventures operates with a partnership-based decision model involving Kyle Rusconi and the Investment Committee. The firm has relatively fast decision timelines (2-4 weeks) given their early-stage focus and mission to be first institutional capital. They are willing to move quickly for exceptional scientific teams. Founder Preferences and Involvement First In Ventures seeks talented scientific founders with deep domain expertise, particularly at the genomics-data science intersection. The firm provides not just capital but also operational support, mentorship, business guidance, and industry connections. They are willing to work intensively with founders from company formation through early scaling.