PORTFOLIO » current portfolio
Asset Management Company invests in early stage companies in both the Information Technology and Life Science sectors. We lead most of our initial investments and prefer to invest in the first institutional round. While most of our investments our located in the Northern California area, we also invest throughout the west coast and rest of the U.S. alongside strong local lead investors. Below are some of the companies by sector in our portfolio.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & SMALL MOLECULE THERAPEUTICS (back to top)
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Amgen (AMGN) Amgen develops and sells therapeutics based on advances in cellular and molecular biology |
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BiPar Sciences BiPar is a biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of cancer therapies that selectively induces tumor cell death by inhibiting enzyme function central to tumor survival. |
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Celera Genomics (CRA) Celera Genomics' mission is to discover and develop meaningful new therapies that improve human health. Celera is applying their diverse genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, medicinal chemistry and biology technology platforms to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover novel therapeutics. |
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Chimerix Chimerix develops new drugs using its proprietary chemical modification technology that improves oral bioavailability, stabilizes the drug in plasma, and facilitates absorption of the drug by cells in tissues, thereby enhancing potency and facilitating delivery. Chimerix's drug discovery and development efforts are focused on the area of infectious diseases. |
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CV Therapeutics (CVTX) CV Therapeutics is engaged in the discovery and development of novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The Company is pioneering a new biomedical discipline, molecular cardiology, which applies advances in molecular biology and genetics to identify and delineate new mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and hence new targets for drug discovery. |
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IDEC Pharmaceuticals (now Biogen IDEC) (BIIB) IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a leader in the development of targeted immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The company's products act chiefly through immune system mechanisms, exerting their effect by binding to specific, readily targeted immune cells in the patient's blood or lymphatic system. |
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InteKrin Therapeutics InteKrin Therapeutics is pursuing the clinical development of therapeutics for diabetes, obesity and metabolic disorders. The company focuses on high value therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs in large markets. |
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Koronis Pharmaceuticals Koronis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Koronis) develops technologies for the prevention and treatment of chronic viral diseases, with a particular focus on those caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). |
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Pepgen Pepgen develops novel products for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune and viral disorders. The company’s lead product, Tauferon, is in Phase II human clinical studies in multiple sclerosis (MS). Tauferon can be administered orally, which is a significant improvement over existing therapies, which require frequent, painful injections. Pepgen is also advancing Neoferon through pre-clinical development for the treatment of viral infections and cancer. |
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Pharmacyclics (PCYC) Pharmacyclics is developing energy-potentiating drugs to improve radiation therapy and chemotherapy of cancer, and to enable or improve the photodynamic therapy of certain cancers and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. |
MEDICAL DEVICES (back to top)
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Capnia, Inc. Capnia has developed a revolutionary drug delivery platform (a disposable, hand-held gas dispenser) that is used to deliver a variety of prescription medical gases to treat numerous common disorders such as migraine headaches, anxiety disorders, and asthma. |
| Coapt Systems,
Inc. Coapt Systems has invented and developed a unique solution to the problems associated with joining soft tissues under tension. The company produces bio-absorbable implants for use in soft tissue fixation during facial cosmetic surgery procedures. The products enable physicians to reliably place and shape soft tissue without sutures, pins, or screws. |
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EndoVx EndoVx is developing a novel medical device system for non-invasively treating obesity. The proprietary procedure is quick and done on an out-patient basis. |
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Enteric Medical (acquired by Boston Scientific) (BSX) Enteric has developed minimally invasive surgical treatments for gastro-esophageal reflux disease ("GERD"). |
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Fusion Medical Technologies
(acquired by Baxter BioScience) (BAX) Fusion is developing surgical sealants for procedures which initially include those in cardiovascular, vascular, orthopedics, and neurosurgery specialties. |
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iScience Interventional iScience Interventional is a medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative imaging systems and microsurgical instruments for the minimally invasive treatment of glaucoma. Through the use of high resolution imaging technology and novel microsurgical instruments, the company will enable surgeons to locate, access and treat the blocked ocular drainage passages responsible for glaucoma. Glaucoma currently affects more than 4.2 million Americans and 69 million people worldwide. |
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Manoa Medical Manoa Medical develops an advanced method of diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. |
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Novare Surgical Novare is a developer of temporary occlusion management devices for use in traditional and evolving cardiovascular and vascular procedures. The company's atraumatic surgical clamps reduce the risk of clamp-related vascular injury and related neurological events. |
| Sonoma Orthopedic Products Sonoma Orthopedic Products is a medical device company focused on developing and commercializing technology that enables less-invasive treatments in orthopedic surgery. The first indication is long bone fractures. |
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TriVascular (acquired by Boston Scientific) (BSX) Trivascular is a developer of implant devices for the endovascular treatment of vascular disease. The company's first products are next-generation transluminally placed (via catheter) endovascular grafts (often referred to as stent grafts), for the treatment of aneurysmal disease in the thoracic (TAA) and abdominal aorta (AAA). |
| UMD, Inc. UMD's mission is to develop new drug delivery technologies and products, with a focus on women's health. |
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (back to top)
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Phormax, Inc. (acquired
by Alara, Inc) Alara, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, sells and services SPT (Storage Phosphor Technology) based products for a variety of radiographic applications. Alara specializes in film replacement products for x-ray applications in Medical, Dental, Non-destructive testing and Bone Mineral Density Measurement. |
CELL THERAPY (back to top)
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Novocell, Inc. Novocell is a leader in the research and development of encapsulated cellular transplants for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. The Company believes that cellular transplant technology will bring the control of blood glucose to patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, without requiring the chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs. Achieving such control could be expected to decrease or eliminate the need for insulin injections and delay or prevent the downstream medical complications from the disease. It is hoped that this technology will benefit people with Type I diabetes and late-onset Type II diabetes who must use insulin regularly. |
ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTATION (back to top)
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Applied
Biosystems (ABI) Applied Biosystems develops and markets instrument-based systems, reagents, software, and contract services to the life science industry and research community. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and proteins in order to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. |
CONVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES (back to top)
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Proteus Biomedical Proteus has brought together world-class physicians and engineers who are incorporating state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies into medical devices designed to improve quality-of-life for congestive heart failure patients. |
SEMICONDUCTORS (back to top)
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Applied Micro
Circuits Corporation (AMCC) AMCC designs, manufactures and sells high performance semiconductors for use in high-speed computer applications, such as SONET, ATM, Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel networking. |
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HYPRES,Inc. HYPRES is engaged in the development and commercialization of superconducting microelectronics. Superconducting integrated circuits (ICs) represent a significant advance over existing semiconductor technologies. HYPRES has established world-leadership in superconducting technology and is the premier commercial supplier of primary voltage standard circuits used in metrology laboratories worldwide. |
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Sierra Semiconductor
(Now PMC-Sierra) (PMCS) PMC-Sierra produces high-speed broadband communications and storage semiconductors, and MIPS-powered microprocessors for service provider, enterprise, storage, and wireless networking equipment. It provides communication networking products, which include a range of interoperable communication integrated circuits for metro access, metro transport, DSLAM, Ethernet over SONET/SDH, and wireless base transceiver stations; MIPS-Powered microprocessors; 1G, 2G, and 4G fiber channel disk array and system interconnect products; switch fabric applications and 3G interconnect products for storage networks and systems; serializer/deserializer devices; high-speed mixed signal devices; and semiconductor devices. |
ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION (back to top)
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Athena Design Systems Athena Design Systems is a provider of software tools that aid the design of complex, next-generation integrated circuits. Athena's embedded analysis and parallel processing technologies address the challenges posed by unexpected critical timing paths and signal integrity problems. |
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Virtio
(acquired by Synopsys) (SNPS) Virtio delivers software models of embedded systems for early embedded software development using virtual prototyping technology. These software models, called virtual platforms, act as an early replacement for physical boards for software development. Virtual platforms change the way embedded software is developed. |
WIRELESS AND MOBILITY (back to top)
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Corrigo Corrigo, Inc. provides Web and wireless-based field workforce automation and procurement software applications that coordinate service request, dispatching, monitoring, and reporting processes to create a real-time flow of information among customers, field service workers, staff, vendors and management. |
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KonaWare, Inc. KonaWare was founded with the purpose of using leading standards-based software technology to solve challenging problems for field workers in businesses and industries where mobility is an occupational necessity. Using the latest standards in mobile computing and wireless communications, KonaWare delivers applications and a comprehensive software platform that enterprises and software vendors use to extend their application business logic to field workers thereby reducing the costs associated with paper processing and support overhead, as well as increasing the speed of supply and service chain execution. |
HARDWARE (back to top)
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Brilliant Telecommunications Brilliant Telecommunications manufactures and delivers innovative NTP solutions for a broad range of markets including telecommunications, manufacturing, legal and financial. Brilliant Telecommunications' solutions differentiate themselves from other solutions by employing advanced hardware and software capabilities designed to significantly increase accuracy, throughput and reliability. |
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Figaro Systems Figaro Systems is a leading provider of text and content delivery systems for live performance (theatre, opera, concerts and ballet) and presentations. Figaro offers a complete range of solutions – from seat-back title screens, to wireless monitors, to video displays – all fully modular and capable of being run from one software program on one computer. |
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Tandem Computer (now owned by Hewlett Packard) (HPQ) Hewlett-Packard Company provides products, technologies, solutions, and services to consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide. Its divisions include the Personal Systems Group (PSG), Imaging and Printing Group (IPG), Enterprise Storage and Servers (ESS), HP Services (HPS), HP Financial Services (HPFS), Software, and Corporate Investments. |
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Teradyne (TER) Teradyne's business is the creative application of systems technology to practical problems in the design, production, and servicing of electronics. Founded in 1960, Teradyne has a long history of technical innovation. Today Teradyne is a diversified company, with 2000 sales of more than $3 billion and more than 10,000 employees worldwide. Teradyne is the world's largest supplier of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the electronics and telecommunications industries. |
ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE (back to top)
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Boole and Babbage (sold
to BMC Software) (BMC) BMC delivers enterprise-wide software solutions for service level management of distributed applications. |
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db4objects db4objects is an open-source database company that sponsors the development, commercially licenses and supports db4o, an open source object database. db4o offers the ultimate persistence solution to store objects of any complexity natively, with only one line of code. |
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Latitude Communications (acquired by Cisco Systems) (CSCO) Cisco Systems is a leading provider of of networking and communications products worldwide. The company provides products for transporting data, voice, and video within buildings and across campuses. Its offerings include routers, which interconnect computer networks by moving data, voice, and video from one network to another; and switching systems that are used to build local-area networks (LAN), metropolitan-area networks, and wide-area networks. |
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Nuance Communications (NUAN) Nuance designs and sells advanced voice recognition software which can run on a variety of industry leading IVR and telephonic platforms. |
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Remedy (now owned by
BMC) (BMC) BMC is a leading provider of information technology asset and service management software solutions that are designed for organizations in the private and public sectors. The company’s asset management solutions include asset tracking, expense control, process automation, and asset optimization services. Its service solutions comprise service establishment, service control, service alignment, and service optimization. |
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StrataVia StrataVia provides database management automation software, empowering databases to be "self-healing" and allowing mundane database management tasks to be automated, allowing database administrators (DBAs) to be more effective. Stratavia products allow a DBA team to focus on new projects and higher level tasks, such as architecture and performance tuning. |
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Verity (VRTY) Verity provides enterprise search software that enables organizations to discover, analyze and process all the information within their enterprises. The company's solutions deliver integrated search, classification, recommendation, monitoring and analytics across the real-time flow of enterprise information, along with self-service Q & A interfaces. |
APPLICATION SOFTWARE (back to top)
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Her Interactive,Inc. Her Interactive creates intelligent, interactive entertainment for girls of all ages. The company designs, develops and markets award-winning interactive CD-ROM games that offer role-playing mysteries and adventures that girls find both challenging and fun. |
NANOTECHNOLOGY (back to top)
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Molecular Imprints Molecular Imprints provides enabling lithography systems for manufacturing applications in nano devices, microstructures, advanced packaging, bio devices, optical components and semiconductor devices. The company offers a novel technique of lithography and 3-dimensional printing, capable of patterning nano-scale devices and structures. The technique is based on step and flash imprint lithography technology that delivers a lower cost, low complexity alternative to expensive optical lithography tools. |
SERVICES (back to top)
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Edvantage Edvantage group provides the content, technology and services to create eLearning solutions tailored to the specific learning requirements of its client's organizations. Edvantage uses traditional, high quality content in an unconventional way, assembling and distributing world class eLearning from leading international universities and other high quality business skills learning providers. Through its partnerships, Edvantage offers courses in business skills such as Finance, Marketing, Project Management, IT and Leadership. |
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Libritas (acquired by NextWeb) NextWeb is California’s largest fixed wireless Internet service provider (WISP) for business. The company utilizes licensed and unlicensed wireless technology to bypass the local telco infrastructure to deliver cost-effective, carrier-class broadband service that can be installed in days, rather than weeks. |
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Prime Advantage Aggregating the demand for industrial products and business services online in order to drive volume discounts and rebates for buyers, and increased revenues and market share for suppliers. |
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Simplexity (acquired
by InPhonic) (INPC) InPhonic is a leading online provider of wireless services and devices. The company sells wireless services and devices through private labeled websites that InPhonic creates and manages for online businesses, affinity organizations and national retailers, as well as through Inphonic's own branded websites. Inphonic has developed a proprietary e-commerce platform that integrates merchandising, provisioning, procurement, customer care and billing operations into a single state-of-the-art system for activating wireless services and devices. |
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Vetcentric Vetcentric is an electronic business management site for veterinary medicine. |














































