California Innovation Fund

About The Fund

California Innovation Fund is an investment firm that positions itself as a unique shared carry, private/public venture capital fund, dedicated to supporting startups with connections to the University of California. They target emerging companies across various sectors, including Software (Web Marketplace SaaS, etc.), BioTech, FinTech (& Financial Services), A.I. (& Big Data), and Impact. With the aim to fuel innovation and drive positive change, they provide substantial support to the UC-affiliated startup ecosystem.Their investment strategy revolves around the early stages of company growth, specifically targeting Seed to Series B funding rounds. They are equipped to make significant financial commitments, with a minimum investment of $100,000 and a maximum of $5,000,000, while their sweet spot for investment lies at $1,500,000.The firm leverages the vast experience of its managing partners and limited partners, many of whom have been instrumental in building iconic companies and products over the past decade. Their team brings together a broad array of expertise, from product management in AI and Machine Learning to financial leadership and legal insights in healthcare and biotechnology.The cumulative operational wisdom of the California Innovation Fund's team is readily available to foster the growth of new ventures. They take a team-oriented approach, believing that it takes more than individual brilliance to build successful startups; it requires a robust, extended startup team. This belief is mirrored in their diverse team of advisors and executives with backgrounds in various industries, from digital marketing to high-tech and health sciences.Highlighted members of the team include Dr. Kurt Beyer, a proud UC Berkeley Ph.D. alum with a background in entrepreneurship, angel investing, and institutional investment; Dr. Anne Greul, a behavioral economist with a focus on design and digital transformation; and Mark Jones, who brings a wealth of legal experience in the biotechnology sector.By structuring their fund to provide 50% of the GP carry to benefit the University of California's public education, they underscore their commitment to not only generate financial returns but also to contribute significantly to the public good.California Innovation Fund is a nexus of financial investment, operational expertise, and altruistic vision, determined to empower entrepreneurs and champion the next generation of groundbreaking companies.