Introduction
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm dedicated to advancing breakthrough technologies in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of brain disorders. The firm primarily invests in healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences, with a focus on neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Founders and Team
The company was founded in 2023 by Jordi Parramon, PhD and William Marks, MD. Key team members include Jon Lundt, PhD and John Propst, PhD, MBA.
Key Personnel:
- Jordi Parramon, PhD: Co-Founder and General Partner. He has held leadership roles, such as President of Medical Devices at Verily Life Sciences and Director of R&D at Boston Scientific. Parramon holds over 200 patents and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.
- William J. Marks, Jr., MD, MS-HCM: Co-Founder and General Partner. Marks was previously Head of Neurology at Verily Life Sciences and has served as a Professor of Neurology at UCSF. He earned his Medical Degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in Healthcare Management from the Harvard School of Public Health.
- Jon Lundt, PhD: Principal. Lundt has experience as a Senior Associate at RA Capital Management and was a Venture Creation Fellow at Flagship Pioneering. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
- John Propst, PhD, MBA: Head of Incubator Operations. Previously Head of Operations at Verily Life Sciences and has experience in various roles at Apple. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and an MBA.
Investment Strategy
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures engages in seed to series A-C investments, targeting companies with compelling technology and promising initial human data. The firm is engaged across several critical areas:
- Software & Data Platforms: Solutions catering to researchers, developers, clinicians, patients, and caregivers.
- Medical Devices & Diagnostic Technology: Tools designed to detect, modulate, or treat brain disorders.
- Therapy Enabling Technologies: Supporting technologies for therapy development.
Unique Offerings:
- Incubator Program: This program provides support and funding for early-stage companies until they're ready for traditional venture capital investment.
Recent Investments and Portfolio
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures has developed a diversified portfolio that spans diagnosis to treatment stages in brain disorders. Notable portfolio companies focus on conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
Recent Investment Activities:
- Co-led a $50 million growth round in 2024 with Vertex Growth Fund for Cala Health to promote non-invasive tremor disorder therapies.
- Raised $21.5 million in Series B financing for EarliTec Diagnostics, facilitating the commercialization of diagnostic technologies.
- Participated in funding rounds for Synapticure to expand its virtual care for neurodegenerative diseases.
Industry Position and Competitors
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures operates in a competitive ecosystem, facing notable contenders in neurotechnology advancements.
Competitors:
- BrainCo: Based in Somerville, Massachusetts, focuses on Brain-Machine Interface (BCI) technology, offering products like a prosthetic hand and EEG headbands. It combines neuroscience with machine learning for innovative solutions.
- Cognitive Systems Corp.: Situated in Waterloo, Ontario, this company employs AI-driven Wi-Fi Sensing technology, WiFi Motion™, to enable hardware-free motion sensing within smart home ecosystems.
- Cortex High Tech: Known for comprehensive internal developer portal services and cutting-edge technologies, including AI, Cortex supports engineering teams in enhancing software development, service quality, and operational excellence.
- Synchron: Located in Brooklyn, New York, Synchron is working on minimally-invasive brain-computer interfaces for neuromodulation, offering new avenues for treating nervous system conditions with their endovascular platforms.
- Kernel: Operating from San Francisco, Kernel leads in non-invasive brain measurement technology with data-driven neuromedicine solutions, providing advanced neuroimaging platforms for improved patient outcomes and clinical trial optimization.
Strategic Position and Insights
Nexus NeuroTech Ventures strategically aligns itself within this competitive landscape by capitalizing on investments in innovative brain disorder technologies. The firm harnesses venture capital to support companies addressing critical gaps in neurological care and therapy. With this competitive backdrop, Nexus positions itself as a catalyst for revolutionary healthcare solutions, perpetually exploring collaborations and investments that resonate with its mission of transforming neurotechnology.
