As we close out an incredible year, we want to take a moment to celebrate and thank our amazing community. To our members, founders, and partners—you are the heart of NuFund, and your dedication, innovation, and support make everything we do possible.

This season, we reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved together and look forward to an exciting year ahead. Thank you for being part of the NuFund family and for helping us create meaningful impact.

 Wishing you joy, health, and success in 2024! ✨

December 3th , 2024– San Diego, CA – NuFund Venture Group (NuFund) is proud to announce its investment in TRIO Pharmaceuticals Inc., a groundbreaking cancer immunotherapeutics company advancing novel antibody-based therapies to strengthen the body’s immune system and eradicate cancer.

TRIO Pharmaceuticals has developed a first-of-its-kind approach that simultaneously targets cancer cells and immunosuppressive cells, addressing a significant challenge in cancer immunotherapy. By eliminating these “bad actor” immunosuppressive cells, TRIO enhances antitumor immunity and unlocks new possibilities in oncology.

“TRIO’s innovative platform is transforming cancer treatment by tackling both tumor cells and the immunosuppressive environment that protects them,” said Prasad Sunkara, NuFund member and Deal Lead for TRIO. “Their breakthrough therapies, combined with a leadership team that includes industry veterans, represent the type of high-impact innovation NuFund is committed to supporting.”

Collaborative Investment and Milestone Achievement
TRIO Pharmaceuticals is raising funding to advance its TRAIL Body program through IND-enabling studies. The current $2.2M seed funding round includes investments from Purdue Ventures, NuFund, SeedFolio, Friedman Bioventure, Life Science Angels, and others. TRIO’s progress highlights the collaborative efforts of leading investor groups in the U.S. and Japan.

“NuFund’s support and expertise will play a critical role as we advance our technology and identify the best drug candidates for further development,” said Reiner Laus, MD, Co-Founder and CEO of TRIO Pharmaceuticals. “This milestone is crucial for positioning us to collaborate with larger pharmaceutical companies and raise future funding rounds.”

Purdue Ventures and TRIO’s Founding Story
TRIO’s ties to Purdue University underscore its commitment to innovation. The company’s founder and COO, Shiva Bhowmik, earned his PhD in biophysics and structural biology at Purdue, inspired by Wayne Hockmeyer, the founder of MedImmune.

“Purdue has been instrumental in shaping TRIO’s journey, and I’m thrilled to see our connections deepen with this investment,” said Bhowmik. “This funding will allow us to refine our platform and deliver on our vision of revolutionizing cancer immunotherapy.”

About TRIO Pharmaceuticals
TRIO Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a cancer immunotherapeutics company pioneering dual-action drugs to generate immunogenic tumors. TRIO’s innovative antibody drugs directly stop tumor growth and selectively stop immunosuppression in the tumor without targeting the current immune checkpoint pathways. TRIO is developing a proprietary platform of dual-action tumor immunity-enhancing drugs aimed at treating cancers of high unmet medical needs by targeting specific antigens on the cancer cells and immunosuppressor cells. TRIO has an experienced team that has developed first-in-class FDA-approved drugs. For more information, visit https://www.triopharmaceuticals.com/ 

About NuFund Venture Group
NuFund Venture Group represents a new wave of angel investors, blending personalized mentorship with venture capital efficiency. Formerly Tech Coast Angels – San Diego, NuFund has become one of the largest and most active early-stage investor groups, with a focus on supporting transformative startups across industries. For more information, visit www.NuFund.com.

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San Diego, CA,  November 20, 2024 — NuFund Venture Group, a leading force in early-stage venture investing, is thrilled to announce its dynamic participation in TechCon SoCal 2025, Southern California’s premier innovation and investment conference. Taking place January 17-18 at San Diego State University (SDSU), TechCon SoCal 2025 will bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to explore the latest advancements and opportunities across multiple industries.

TechCon SoCal 2025, hosted by SDSU, promises a packed agenda featuring keynote presentations, panel discussions, and exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge technologies. Tracks include AI, digital health, life sciences, SaaS, venture capital, and more. With its prime location and impressive facilities, SDSU offers the perfect venue for meaningful networking and hands-on learning.

NuFund will take a prominent role at the event, underscoring its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering startups, and creating meaningful collaborations. From thought leadership sessions to sponsorship of the Startup Showcase, NuFund will highlight its mission of bridging forward-thinking founders with an expansive network of investors and mentors.

“Our mission extends beyond financial support,” said Serhat Pala, President of NuFund. “At NuFund, we strive to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to help them realize their aspirations. The significance of collaboration cannot be overstated—it’s the key to unlocking new opportunities and driving impactful change. Once the SDSU Mission Valley Innovation District is complete, it will further boost our ecosystem by hosting events like TechCon SoCal and fostering a hub where academia, students, investors, and startups collaborate seamlessly. These are truly exciting times for our business community.”

SDSU, a recognized leader in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, has played a pivotal role in supporting TechCon SoCal 2025. As home to groundbreaking research and forward-thinking initiatives, SDSU exemplifies a commitment to shaping the future of technology and investment. SDSU Mission Valley’s Innovation District—a transformative project creating a hub for collaboration between academia, industry, and the community—demonstrates SDSU’s dedication to advancing innovation and providing resources that empower startups and entrepreneurs.

Faisal Mushtaq, Founder and CEO of TechCon SoCal, shared his enthusiasm: “NuFund’s participation aligns perfectly with TechCon’s mission to create opportunities for startups and investors to connect and grow. Collaborating with San Diego State University strengthens this mission, as SDSU’s leadership in innovation and its forthcoming Mission Valley Innovation District provide a unique foundation for advancing Southern California’s startup ecosystem. 

Hala Madanat, Vice President of Research and Innovation at SDSU, added, “Hosting TechCon SoCal 2025 at San Diego State University exemplifies our commitment to driving progress through innovation and collaboration. SDSU is proud to provide a dynamic environment where entrepreneurs and investors can connect, exchange ideas, and shape the future. Events like these are critical for advancing technology and fostering partnerships that bring transformative change.”

TechCon SoCal 2025 will feature speakers from successful multi-billion-dollar companies, unicorn startups, and emerging innovators. Through insightful keynotes, dynamic panels, and interactive case studies, the conference will paint a vision of a connected and autonomous future.

For NuFund, this marks another milestone in its ongoing efforts to foster an entrepreneurial community defined by creativity, opportunity, and growth.

For more information about NuFund’s participation in TechCon SoCal 2025 or to explore partnership opportunities, please visit https://techconsocal.com/

About NuFund Venture Group
NuFund Venture Group represents a new wave of angel investors, pioneering a novel fund model focused on emerging technology leaders. NuFund was formerly known as Tech Coast Angels – San Diego (TCA-SD), and the organization is one of the largest, most active, and most successful early-stage investor groups over the past 20+ years. We continually strive to foster a culture that is friendly, innovative, engaging, rewarding, and fun for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit http://www.nufund.com 

About TechCon SoCal 2025
TechCon SoCal, set for January 17-18, 2025, in San Diego, is the premier conference for thought leadership, investment, and innovation, attracting top industry executives, innovators, and technologists for two days of insights and networking. TechCon SoCal’s mission is to fuel the next wave of entrepreneurs through collaborative efforts to foster a future rich in innovation and opportunity. By providing resources and unparalleled networking opportunities, we support aspiring entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams. Moreover, our commitment to collaboration aims to shape policies and build an ecosystem that champions innovation, encourages risk-taking, and ensures inclusive growth. https://techconsocal.com/

About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a major public research institution that provides transformative experiences for its more than 39,000 students. SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 97 areas, master’s degrees in 87 fields and 25 doctoral programs, with additional certificates and programs at regional microsites. SDSU ranks as the number 1 California State University in federal research support, as one of the top public research universities in California. In addition to academic offerings at SDSU, SDSU Imperial Valley and SDSU Georgia, SDSU Global Campus offers online training, certificates and degrees in areas of study designed to meet the needs of students everywhere. Students participate in transformational research, international experiences, sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, internships and mentoring, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. SDSU is committed to inclusive excellence and is known for its efforts in advancing diversity and inclusion. SDSU is nationally recognized for its study abroad initiatives, veterans’ programs and support of LGBTQA+ students, as well as its powerhouse Division I Athletics Program. More than 50% of SDSU’s undergraduate and graduate students are students of color. The university resides on Kumeyaay land and was most recently recognized as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SDSU is also a long-standing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The university’s rich campus life and location offers opportunities for students to lead and engage with the creative and performing arts, career and internship opportunities with SDSU’s more than 500,000 living alumni, and the vibrant cultural life of the greater San Diego and U.S.- Mexico region. https://www.sdsu.edu/ 

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SAN DIEGO, CA – September 06, 2024 – NuFund Venture Group is thrilled to announce its recent investment in Synvect, a startup that is leading the charge in eradicating mosquitoes and blocking transmission of mosquito-borne diseases through revolutionary bioengineering solutions. This strategic investment is part of a broader funding round supporting Synvect’s mission to harness CRISPR technology for eco-friendly, sustainable, and scalable mosquito control. The move aligns with NuFund’s commitment to backing disruptive, high-impact innovations in biotech and public health.

Synvect has developed a pioneering approach to mosquito control by making male mosquitoes sterile and female mosquitoes incapable of flight, effectively reducing populations of dangerous mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti. This species is responsible for the transmission of deadly diseases like Dengue, Zika, Yellow Fever, and Chikungunya, which affect billions worldwide.

“We’re excited to back Synvect as they transform the landscape of mosquito-borne disease prevention,” said Akash Pai, Deal Lead and NuFund Member who advocated for the investment. “Their groundbreaking technology is precisely the kind of innovation that aligns with our vision of supporting startups that are not only disruptive but have the potential to make a profound global impact.”

A Breakthrough in Mosquito Control

At the heart of Synvect’s technology is next-generation Sterile Insect Technique (ngSIT), a method that leverages CRISPR gene knockout to produce sex-sorted and sterile male mosquitoes from eggs released into the environment. Only female mosquitoes bite and transmit diseases. Synvect’s sterile males mate with wild female mosquitoes and suppress wild populations. The company’s innovative egg-based distribution model makes their solution cost-effective and scalable compared to traditional methods, which have struggled with high costs and inefficiencies​​.

The company has already raised over $22 million in funding from prominent organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DARPA, USDA, and NIH, and is eight months into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval process​​.

Local Impact and Global Reach

While mosquito-borne diseases are often associated with regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, Synvect’s technology is designed for both global and local applications. The company’s target mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti, have become invasive in regions like Southern California, where they are commonly known as “ankle-biter” mosquitoes. Synvect’s solution not only mitigates the spread of diseases but also offers relief from mosquito bites, making it an attractive alternative to traditional pesticides​​.

“By eliminating female mosquitoes through our process, we are offering a product that can replace toxic pesticides, providing safer, eco-friendly, and yet cost-efficient and effective mosquito control solutions,” said Nikolay Kandul, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Synvect. “Our mission is to deliver accessible and sustainable mosquito control to communities globally, whether it’s preventing bites in U.S. backyards or combating deadly diseases in tropical regions.”

A Vision for the Future

With regulatory approval anticipated in the coming years, Synvect plans to begin pilot programs as early as 2025, followed by a full-scale global launch​​. The company’s technology platform is also adaptable to other insect vectors, opening up new opportunities for large-scale pest control.

As part of this investment, NuFund will support Synvect’s commercialization efforts and expand its reach to private landowners, local mosquito control boards, and government entities seeking effective mosquito population suppression solutions​.

About Synvect

Founded in 2022, Synvect is a UC San Diego spin-out dedicated to eradicating mosquito-borne diseases through CRISPR-based solutions. The company has developed an innovative bioengineering platform that integrates CRISPR technology with traditional Sterile Insect Techniques to create safe, eco-friendly, scalable, and effective mosquito control methods​​. For more information visit Synvect Website.  

About NuFund Venture Group

NuFund Venture Group represents a new wave of angel investors, pioneering a novel fund model focused on emerging technology leaders. NuFund was formerly known as Tech Coast Angels – San Diego (TCA-SD), and the organization is one of the largest, most active, and most successful early-stage investor groups over the past 20+ years. We continually strive to foster a culture that is friendly, innovative, engaging, rewarding, and fun for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit NuFund Website.

July 23, 2024 – San Diego, CA NuFund Venture Group, a new wave of angel investors with a venture fund model investing in technology leaders proudly announces the successful full deployment of its 2023 Annual Fund, showcasing its unique fusion of angel investing and venture capital.

NuFund Venture Group stands out in the early-stage investment landscape with its innovative “Venture Group” fund model, which combines the strengths of both angel investing and venture capital. Born from the realization that early-stage startups needed more guidance and support, NuFund leverages the collective expertise of experienced investors to bridge this gap, fostering innovation and driving growth. This model allows investor members to raise and deploy a collective Annual Fund, while still having the flexibility to add their own investments, thus harnessing the best of both angel and VC worlds. With 350 investor members, NuFund provides the flexibility and engagement typical of angel investing alongside professional due diligence, large checks and strategic guidance akin to venture capital. 

“NuFund has been an incredible partner,” said Kate Dilligan, CEO of Cooler Heads, a portfolio company. “Their support extends beyond financial backing to hands-on assistance from their team, which has been invaluable as we enter new phases of growth. Their excellent reputation has also helped attract other investors. As a San Diego-based company, we are proud to have them on our cap table.”

NuFund’s distinctive model has proven highly effective, with notable successes in 2023, positioning it at the forefront of early-stage investment. The group’s dedication to fostering emerging technology leaders has resulted in impressive performance metrics and significant impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Highlights of NuFund’s 2023 Annual Fund Report:

Robust Investment Strategy:  The NuFund 23 Annual Fund invested $5.6 million across 17 companies over 13 months. This diversified portfolio spans verticals such as AI, pharma, medical devices, cleantech, healthtech, and B2B SaaS
Life Sciences Focus: 82% of investments were directed towards life sciences and healthtech companies, reflecting a strong thematic focus compared to the previous year’s 63%. Notable investments include startups in medical devices, therapeutics, diagnostics, and healthcare IT.
Early-Stage Investments: The fund showed a strong skew towards earlier-stage deals, with 59% of investments in pre-Seed to Seed rounds, compared to 31% in the NuFund 22. This focus supports the growth of nascent technologies and innovative solutions|
Follow-On Investments: NuFund 23 made follow-on investments in 35% of its portfolio companies from previous funds, demonstrating strong ongoing support and confidence in the growth potential of these businesses.
Geographic Distribution: Nearly half of the investments (47%) were in San Diego-based startups, with additional investments spread across California and other regions, promoting regional economic development in one of the most robust and fastest rising startup economics in the country.

“At NuFund, we leverage the deep expertise and strong networks of our members to drive impactful investments in early-stage startups. Our model not only allows for meaningful engagement and support but also ensures that we can make faster, smarter investment decisions,” said Heather Slotnick, Board Member at NuFund Venture Group. “We are also committed to increasing diversity, both within our investor members and our portfolio companies, by actively supporting female founders and underrepresented groups.” she continued. 

100th Investment Milestone:
NuFund recently celebrated a significant milestone, achieving its 100th investment across the first six Annual Funds. This milestone underscores NuFund’s commitment to supporting innovative startups and driving economic growth. “Reaching our 100th fund investment is the result of the hard work of our members and the faith in both our members and company founders who realized that there was a better way to quickly fund the strongest early stage companies.  We are very excited about both the quality and diversity of our 17 portfolio companies in NuFund ,” said Dean Rosenberg, Co-Fund Manager of NuFund Venture Group.

Notable Exits:
NuFund Venture Group has achieved significant successes with several notable exits already realized within its Annual Funds, underscoring the effectiveness of its investment strategy. Among these, DTx Pharma was acquired by Novartis for $1 billion in 2023, marking a major milestone for the portfolio. Other significant exits include Habitu8, a Hollywood-style cybersecurity training startup acquired by Arctic Wolf to enhance its cybersecurity education and training offerings; and Paradigm Diagnostics, a precision medicine company specializing in comprehensive cancer testing, acquired by Exact Sciences to improve personalized treatment approaches. These exits highlight NuFund’s ability to identify and nurture high-potential startups, delivering highly competitive returns for investors and driving forward innovation in key industries.

About NuFund Venture Group
NuFund Venture Group represents a new wave of angel investors, pioneering a novel fund model focused on emerging technology leaders. NuFund was formerly known as Tech Coast Angels – San Diego (TCA-SD), and the organization is one of the largest, most active, and most successful early-stage investor groups over the past 20+ years. We continually strive to foster a culture that is friendly, innovative, engaging, rewarding, and fun for all stakeholders. Our mission is to be the BEST place for the BEST entrepreneurs to raise venture funding. For more information, please visit http://www.nufund.com

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