Civilization Ventures

Civilization Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to backing scientific founders who are pioneering cutting-edge innovations in health tech and biology. The firm's investment focus spans preventative, personalized, and regenerative healthcare, with a particular emphasis on genomics, diagnostics, digital health, synthetic biology, gene and cell therapies, and artificial intelligence. They seek to solve essential problems and advance human longevity through disruptive science and founder determination.

Founded in 2017 by Shahram Seyedin-Noor, Civilization Ventures began with a $1 million pilot seed fund. The firm has since grown significantly, now managing over $200 million in capital and partnering with more than 70 innovative companies. Seyedin-Noor established the firm to support a new generation of entrepreneurs, particularly those with scientific backgrounds, who were often overlooked by traditional venture capital.

Civilization Ventures boasts a strong portfolio with notable exits and IPOs. Key successes include Rocket Pharma (NASDAQ: RCKT), Singular Bio (acquired by Invitae), Lemonaid Health (acquired by 23andme), Rewrite (acquired by Intellia), Fluent Bio (acquired by Illumina), Omada Health (IPO NASDAQ: OMDA), BilliontoOne (IPO NASDAQ: BLLN), and Foresight Diagnostics (acquired by Natera). The firm has made over 75 investments, with 17 exits and 3 unicorns in seven years.

The team at Civilization Ventures comprises experienced leaders in the life sciences sector. Shahram Seyedin-Noor, the Founder and Managing Partner, brings over two decades of operational and investment experience, including a background in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and founding biotech companies. Investment Partner Sonia Maryam Setayesh, PhD, spearheads scientific due diligence with expertise in single-cell diagnostics and cancer immunotherapies. Operating Partner Angelica Parente, PhD, applies her deep knowledge in AI and therapeutic development, while Associate Sarah Jones, PhD, contributes to scientific diligence. Matt Wheeler serves as the CFO. The firm emphasizes a "mentor capital" approach, leveraging its team's operational experience and a vast network of biopharma executives, academics, and industry titans to support founders.