BEVC

About

We are a team of scientists-turned-entrepreneurs and investors. We bring our passion, expertise, networks and capital to partner with founders, turning innovative ideas into thriving enterprises and enduring solutions to grand challenges. Breakthroughs come from amazing science.

Curious about our name, BEVC? Well, rather than picking a name inspired by nature, a place or our last names, we want to highlight the entrepreneurs we invest in. They are Bold, Exceptional, Visionary and Credible founders solving grand challenges facing Human Health and Planetary Health. Plus, we are based in BErkeley and love a good wordplay, so BE-ing BEVC just feels right.

BE Bold. BE Exceptional. BE Visionary. BE Credible.

expertise

Spectrum of Experience
We are fluent in science and business, and comfortably operate at the intersection. All of us have spent years in the lab, but we’ve also worked in 2-person to Fortune 20 companies. We've created products, built teams, shaped commercial strategies, and transacted hundreds of venture and business deals.

Premier Innovation Ecosystem
Located in Berkeley, we are lucky to be in one of the most prolific innovation ecosystems in the world. Here we interact with world class scientists and engineers pioneering transformative research and innovation.

Enabling Beyond Capital
Working with us, entrepreneurs gain access to our collective experience and expansive networks of experts, advisors, and partners we’ve assembled through our years in academia, start-ups, corporates, and the capital markets.

team

Rowan Chapman, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

view bio

Widya Mulyasasmita, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

view bio

Risa Stack, Ph.D.

Co-Founder

view bio

advisors

David Schaffer, Ph.D.

Founding Advisor

view bio

Carolyn Bertozzi, Ph.D.

Advisor

view bio

Christina Curtis, Ph.D., MSc

Advisor

view bio

Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D.

Advisor

view bio

Regis Kelly, Ph.D., OBE

Advisor

view bio

Robert Tjian, Ph.D.

Advisor

view bio

Greg Went, Ph.D.

Advisor

view bio

Marianne Wu, Ph.D.

Advisor

view bio

climate advisors

No items found.

Read our publication "From garages to ecosystems: the coevolution of life science incubators and accelerators."

how we work

We are investors. We are also scientists and founders. As a team, we're passionate about new startups in the science and technology spheres. We've all co-founded companies in these areas, and we know how much work it takes to build a company - that’s why we’re here. We’re primed to support you on your journey from ideation to IPO and beyond.
‍
We have a strong interest in the sciences and technology sectors, but we're open minded. Above all else, we look for creativity and innovation. Because we’d like to work with you throughout your startup journey, we want to start as early as possible. We make first commitments in the pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A investment rounds and continue to support you in later rounds.

Investment Areas

health investing

Software/AI for Healthcare and R&D
Usable health-related data is increasing exponentially and creating vast opportunities for software and artificial intelligence to improve health outcomes in many components of healthcare including research, diagnostics, drug development, patient management, and backend support.
Research Tools
Basic scientific research tools such as DNA sequencing, spatial biology, and CRISPR fundamentally change the potential of innovation to benefit human health; investing in these advances has lasting impacts on subsequent technology advances and new medical treatments.
Therapeutic Platforms
‍Drug classes and modalities that can be applied to a variety of diseases benefit a greater target population and improve the economics of drug discovery. BEVC believes in the potential of next-generation drug types to have the greatest impact on patients’ lives.
Biomanufacturing of Advanced Therapies
As diagnostics and therapies become more complex, manufacturing presents rate-limiting technical challenges and costs if new paradigms are not developed. BEVC investment in biomanufacturing innovation will increase access and application of high-impact treatments such as Cell and Gene Therapy and personalized cancer vaccines through automation, decentralized manufacturing, and other innovations.

climate investing

Carbon Capture, Usage & Storage
‍Scaled and cost-effective carbon removal will be required to reverse historical emissions and reach climate stability. Carbon capture, usage, and storage are relatively novel fields, and start-ups are competing to define the dominant, cost-effective technology model.
Energy Transition
‍Climate change mitigation, as well as national and energy security, require innovations in low-carbon energy sources and energy transition. BEVC has the network to source and invest in grid optimization, renewable generation, next-gen batteries, and more.
Construction & Sustainable Materials
‍The built environment is the largest emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Disruptive innovations in low carbon materials, recyclables, resilient and energy efficient construction, and AI will be essential to climate mitigation and future adaptation.
Food, Agriculture, & Land Use
Globally, more than a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food. New solutions are needed along the entire value chain, ranging from product innovations (e.g., meat alternatives, climate resilient crops) to production emissions reduction.