NuFund Venture Group and SDSU Join Forces to Drive Innovation at TechCon SoCal 2025

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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NuFund Venture Group Opens Austin Cluster, Bringing a New Wave of Angel Investment to the Region

NuFund Venture Group, one of the nation’s largest and most active early-stage investor networks, is excited to announce the launch of its new Austin Cluster. This expansion into the Texas Market represents the next step in NuFund’s mission to build thriving startup ecosystems beyond its Southern California roots.

NuFund recognizes Austin as a burgeoning hub for innovation, offering a wealth of opportunities for startups and investors alike. The Austin Cluster aims to create stronger ties between Southern California and the growing startup scene in Texas, further amplifying NuFund’s efforts to support emerging companies across a variety of industries.

“We are thrilled to be expanding into Austin, a city bursting with energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Our goal is to bridge the gap between Southern California and Austin’s vibrant startup scene, providing founders access to the strategic guidance, capital, and expansive network they need to succeed,” said Serhat Pala, President of NuFund Venture Group. “By working closely with local investors and partners like Antler, we’re excited to make a lasting impact on the ATX startup community.”

“NuFund’s decision to establish an Austin presence reflects our confidence in its rapidly growing innovation ecosystem,” said James Burkett, who is leading NuFund’s efforts on the ground. “There is tremendous potential here in Austin and we’re committed to supporting founders and fostering relationships that drive growth, both for local startups and the broader community.”

NuFund’s track record of success includes more than 55 exits since 2005, with investments in over 100 companies and a commitment to backing high-impact ventures that drive innovation and economic growth. The group has continuously evolved its model to support founders and investors effectively, using a systematic approach to deal flow, portfolio health, and support processes. Now, with Austin as a focal point, NuFund is poised to become a significant player in the region’s startup landscape.

To kick-off its entry into the Austin market, NuFund recently organized a founders & funders virtual showcase with participation from Austin Next and other ecosystem builders, and subsequently co-hosted an event with global VC Antler, attracting over 50 investors, founders, and startup stakeholders. The strong turnout reflects the excitement and potential within Austin’s entrepreneurial community, highlighting the city’s vibrant startup culture and laying the groundwork for future collaborations. NuFund is eager to contribute to and grow alongside this ecosystem.

Founders and investors in Austin can look forward to a range of opportunities to connect with NuFund through upcoming pitch events, networking sessions, and educational resources. By bringing its culture of transparency, collaboration, and support to Austin, NuFund aims to empower local entrepreneurs to build and scale successful companies.

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.

 

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Mosquitoes Beware: NuFund Invests in Synvect’s Groundbreaking CRISPR Solution

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.

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NuFund Portfolio Company HAI Solutions Wins Prestigious AANA Innov8 Award, Sets New Standard in IV Therapy

August 12, 2024, San Diego, CA – NuFund Venture Group (NuFund) is proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of one of its portfolio companies, HAI Solutions.

HAI Solutions was founded with the purpose of developing and marketing devices that focus on intelligent anesthesia management.  HAI Solutions is dedicated to revolutionizing intravenous care through its innovative medical devices designed to prevent IV contamination and improve patient safety. With a robust portfolio targeting critical care environments such as Operating Rooms, Intensive Care Units, and Emergency Rooms, HAI Solutions is committed to addressing the complexities and challenges associated with intravenous therapy and vascular access. 

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) account for approximately 1.7 million infections and 100,000 deaths in the US each year. The direct medical costs of HAIs were estimated to be between $35.7 to $45 billion annually in 2007. Despite healthcare providers’ adherence to safety guidelines, compliance is often inconsistent, and there is a lack of efficient tools to ensure superior clinical care. Currently, no device fully addresses all the potential pitfalls associated with administering multiple IV medications to patients in critical settings like the operating room, emergency room, or intensive care unit.

HAI Solutions recently achieved a significant milestone by winning the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) inaugural RM8 Innov8 Pitch Competition. This prestigious recognition underscores HAI’s commitment to innovation and excellence in medical device development. The AANA competition featured cutting-edge technologies and solutions poised to transform healthcare delivery. HAI’s victory highlights the company’s leadership in creating impactful intravenous therapy solutions.

In addition to this notable achievement, HAI Solutions has also announced a strategic partnership with Intellego Technologies. This collaboration focuses on integrating Intellego’s innovative UV-C dosimeter technology into HAI Solutions’ intravenous therapy products. This partnership aims to enhance patient safety by providing real-time monitoring and ensuring the effectiveness of UV-C disinfection processes. 

Steve Gormican, Lead Investor at NuFund, shared his enthusiasm: “We are incredibly proud of HAI Solutions and their groundbreaking work in intravenous therapy solutions. Winning the AANA Innov8 Pitch Competition and partnering with Intellego Technologies are testaments to their dedication and the transformative impact they are having on patient care. At NuFund, we are committed to supporting visionary companies like HAI Solutions that are making a real difference in the healthcare industry.”

Nick Perrenoud, Co-founder of HAI Solutions, added, ““Our team’s unwavering dedication to improving patient safety and outcomes through advanced intravenous therapy solutions was inspired by the transformative care of my medically fragile son Angel. By combining our innovative spirit with hard work, we’ve achieved significant milestones while also fostering personal and professional growth. NuFund’s critical support has been instrumental in propelling our journey forward, and we’re excited to continue this partnership as we strive to make a lasting impact on the future of patient care. “

In addition to these accolades, HAI Solutions is strategically expanding its market presence and product offerings. The company’s innovative approach and robust product pipeline position it for continued success and impact in the medical device industry.

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.

About HAI Solutions

HAI Solutions, headquartered in Carlsbad, CA, is at the forefront of medical device innovation, specializing in creating advanced intravenous therapy solutions. Their cutting-edge products are designed to enhance patient safety and streamline healthcare practices in various critical care environments, including Operating Rooms, Intensive Care Units, and Emergency Rooms. By addressing the common challenges and risks associated with Intravenous Care and Vascular Access, HAI Solutions is committed to advancing clinical care and improving patient outcomes. With a focus on developing practical and effective medical devices, the company continues to set new standards in the healthcare industry. For more information, please visit HAI Solutions Website.

 

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NuFund’s 2023 Annual Fund Report: Strategic Investments and High-Impact Exits Highlight Success

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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NuFund Backs Ecodrive to Transform Everyday Transactions into Environmental Impact

July 19, 2024 – NuFund Venture Group is thrilled to announce its recent investment in Ecodrive, a groundbreaking B2B software platform dedicated to integrating measurable environmental impact into everyday business transactions. This strategic funding aims to bolster Ecodrive’s mission of combating greenwashing and enhancing transparency and efficiency in sustainability initiatives.

Ecodrive addresses critical issues in the sustainability sector, particularly the lack of project verification and transparency, which often lead to false claims and substantial legal risks for businesses. By introducing their innovative Impact-as-a-Service platform, Ecodrive enables companies to tie tangible environmental actions to every transaction. For instance, for every customer review or online order, Ecodrive ensures a measurable positive environmental impact, such as planting trees or removing plastic from oceans.
Ecodrive’s market opportunity includes an addressable market of 12-24 million online stores, which continues to grow daily. “Our platform not only helps businesses contribute to climate action but also enhances their operational efficiency and customer engagement. We believe in making every transaction count, and with NuFund’s investment, we can amplify our efforts to drive measurable environmental impact on a global scale that is not only good for the planet, but also good for business,” said Trevor Laudate, Co-Founder of Ecodrive.

Ecodrive offers an Impact Portal and Marketing Automations, an all-in-one platform for managing sustainability efforts and boosting ROI through real-time environmental reporting and marketing assets. The Verified Project Marketplace ensures all environmental projects are verified on the ground, with precise tracking of timestamps and coordinates to ensure actual impact. Their proprietary IMPACT ID Software tracks and communicates the environmental impact of each transaction to end customers, enhancing trust and engagement.

Since its inception, Ecodrive has been dedicated to delivering transparency and verifiable results, enabling brands to effectively communicate their sustainability efforts, increase conversion rates, enhance customer experience, and attract new customers. Their platform is currently trusted by over 500 businesses across various industries

NuFund Venture Group’s investment will accelerate Ecodrive’s growth and expansion, allowing the company to enhance its technology, scale its operations, and reach a broader market. Ecodrive’s platform has led to a 17% average increase in cart conversions for their clients.

Benton Moore, Deal Lead and NuFund Member, added: “We are excited to support Ecodrive in their mission to drive measurable environmental impact through everyday business activities. Their innovative platform addresses critical gaps in transparency and verification, making it easier for businesses to adopt and promote sustainable practices. We believe Ecodrive has the potential to set a new standard in the industry and make a significant positive difference.”

With the backing of NuFund Venture Group, Ecodrive is poised to revolutionize the integration of climate action into commerce, providing businesses with the tools they need to make a genuine impact while simultaneously boosting their bottom line. The collaboration aims to set a new standard for sustainability in the business world, fostering a future where every transaction contributes to the fight against the climate crisis.

About Ecodrive
Ecodrive is a B2B software platform that ties measurable impact to everyday transactions in commerce. For more information, please visit http://www.ecodrive.community

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

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NuFund Venture Group Highlights Eyegenex’s Innovative Breakthroughs in Ophthalmic Care

July 15, 2024- San Diego, CA – NuFund Venture Group (NuFund) is proud to highlight the remarkable success of Eyegenex, a pioneering company in its portfolio.
Founded by NuFund members Dr. Prasad Sunkara and Steve Gormican, Eyegenex is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for a range of eye conditions, and is pioneering drugs for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy (DR) to prevent blindness. The patents relating to the above therapeutics were licensed by Eyegenex from Prof. Ram Nagaraj’s laboratory at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus at University of Colorado Denver. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and is often related to high intraocular pressure (IOP).There is no existing treatment for this disease except for lowering IOP as a prevention by eye drops and surgery. However, 10-15% of patients experience progressive visual loss despite lowering of optimal IOP.

Eyegenex unveiled its Vision Restoration Platform, designed to address a spectrum of vision impairments by targeting and repairing damaged retinal cells. This groundbreaking platform integrates advanced gene and peptide therapeutics offering new hope to patients suffering from previously untreatable conditions. These therapeutics have shown significant protection of visual loss in rodent models of glaucoma. Preliminary studies in Non-human primate studies suggest a significant expression of the gene throughout the retina upon intravitreal injection of the gene. Further NHP studies are ongoing.

Based on these promising studies, Eyegenex is conducting IND enabling studies to initiate phase 1/2 human trials in Australia and US in 2025 aiming to validate the safety and efficacy of its innovative treatments.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina of diabetic patients, leading to vision loss. Eyegenex’s DR therapeutics are in the early stages of preclinical studies.

“We are thrilled to see the progress and impact Eyegenex is making in the field of ophthalmology. Our mission has always been to bring hope and solutions to patients suffering from vision impairments, and the recent developments have brought us one step closer to that goal,” said Dr. Prasad Sunkara, co-founder and CEO of Eyegenex and past Chairman of Life Sciences at NuFund.

A significant milestone for Eyegenex is the completion of successful clinical trials for its flagship treatment targeting glaucoma. To further support its growing portfolio of treatments, Eyegenex has expanded its research and development collaboration with Prof. Ram Nagaraj (inventor of the technology) and his colleagues at University of Colorado, Denver and several contract research organizations (CRO). “Our collaboration with top academic institutions and strategic partners has been instrumental in our success. We are excited about the future and the potential of our innovative therapies to transform vision health worldwide,” added Steve Gormican, co-founder of Eyegenex and NuFund member.

A recent paper published in Nature Magazine highlights Eyegenex’s pioneering work and unique mechanism of action in developing novel therapies for eye conditions, particularly glaucoma. The study emphasizes the potential of Eyegenex’s peptide therapy in treating retinal diseases and underscores the significance of their innovative approach.

Dr. Prasad Sunkara, reflecting on the journey, noted, “Being both a NuFund member and a founder who received investment from NuFund creates a unique full-circle moment. It’s a testament to the supportive and forward-thinking environment that NuFund fosters for its members and portfolio companies alike.”

About EyeGenex
Eyegenex is a leading biotechnology company focused on developing innovative treatments for a range of eye conditions. Utilizing advanced gene and peptide therapy, Eyegenex aims to restore vision and enhance the lives of patients worldwide. For more information, visit https://eyegenex.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
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NuFund Venture Group Portfolio Company Cooler Heads Achieves Significant Milestones in Cancer Patient Care with Innovative Technology

June 17, 2024, San Diego, CA – NuFund Venture Group (NuFund) is proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of one of its portfolio companies, Cooler Heads. The med tech company has made significant strides in enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy through its cutting-edge scalp cooling technology.

Cooler Heads is transforming the market for scalp cooling, the therapy that allows chemotherapy patients to keep their hair, by making this important aspect of symptom management profitable for infusion centers. Their flagship product, Amma, is an FDA-cleared, patient-administered device that doesn’t add to nursing workloads or change patient scheduling, which have been primary barriers to the broad adoption of scalp cooling. By making scalp cooling profitable for infusion centers, the young company is showing that they can dramatically expand access to this treatment.

1 in 12 chemotherapy patients refuse chemotherapy due to concerns about hair loss and >85% of chemotherapy patients are moderately to extremely concerned about hair loss. Rates of concern about hair loss are similar for both male and female patients because going bald is a public announcement that an individual is sick.

While this therapy is now in the clinical recommendations of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, it has not been widely adopted because other solutions either double the amount of time a patient is in an infusion chair, preventing other patients from being treated, or they are too time intensive for nurses. This portable unit is revolutionizing the way patients manage hair loss during cancer treatment, making cold cap therapy accessible to a wider audience.

Key Achievements and Milestones:

  • Revenue Growth and Market Expansion: Over 70% of Cooler Heads’ health system accounts have not offered scalp cooling until Amma changed the financial incentives around this treatment​​.
  • Increased Patient Enrollment: As of June 1, 2024 Cooler Heads surpassed the total number of patients in ​​the entirety of 2023 due to their rapidly expanding customer base.
  • High Reorder Rates: Notably, 68% of all cap system sales are from reorders, indicating high satisfaction and continued use among existing customers. This statistic underscores the product’s reliability, consistency, and the strong relationships Cooler Heads is building with its clients​​.
  • Published Data: At the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference earlier this month, Providence Health presented a poster on an observational study of Amma demonstrating that Amma has outcomes consistent to one of their competitors and superior to the other. In addition, 100% of patients enrolled would recommend Amma to other patients.
  • Series A Funding and Future Growth: Cooler Heads is in the process of raising a Series A, with over a third already soft circled. This funding will get them to over $10M in ARR and the next version of Amma with significant enhancements to improve the patient experience, usability, and efficacy. 

“NuFund has been an incredible partner,” said Kate Dilligan, CEO of Cooler Heads. “Their support has been not only financial but also access to their hands-on team who have been really helpful as we continue to enter new phases of growth. In addition, they have a fantastic reputation which has brought in other investors. We are proud, especially as a San Diego based company, to have them on our cap table.”

Cooler Heads recently achieved a significant milestone with the acceptance of a poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting. The poster, based on an observational study conducted by Providence, revealed that 100% of the 14 patients enrolled would recommend Amma to other chemotherapy patients. This recognition at a prestigious medical society meeting underscores Amma’s clinical value and importance to improving chemotherapy patients’ quality of life​​.

“Cooler Heads is setting a new standard for scalp cooling. Their technology is not only therapeutically effective but changes the business case for scalp cooling for infusion centers,” said Sumeet Vadera MD, the Cooler Heads lead at NuFund Venture Group.

“NuFund is proud to support Cooler Heads as they continue to innovate and expand their reach. The milestones they have achieved so far are a testament to their dedication and the transformative impact of their technology,” he added.

Cooler Heads’ rapidly growing market traction demonstrates that there needed to be a new business and use case to make scalp cooling the standard of care at infusion centers treating chemotherapy patients. Cooler Heads is on the precipice of changing the perception of what it means to be a cancer patient.

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 Cooler Heads
Cooler Heads is a pioneering med tech company using technology to build the evidence based products, content, and services that cancer patients need to manage the daunting side effects of treatment. Founded by Kate Dilligan, a breast cancer survivor and Stanford MBA, Cooler Heads has launched their flagship product, Amma, to help make it profitable for infusion centers to offer scalp cooling, a therapy that lets chemotherapy patients keep their hair. Cooler Heads is committed to innovation, patient care, and expanding access to life-changing technology. For more information, visit Cooler Heads. https://www.coolerheads.com/

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NuFund Venture Group Invests in CorralData to Make AI-Powered Reporting Effortless

San Diego, CA – May 14,  2024 – NuFund Venture Group is thrilled to announce its investment in CorralData, a full-service, AI-powered analytics platform that radically simplifies centralizing and analyzing data across multiple sources.

NuFund’s investment in CorralData is part of the company’s latest funding round aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of its customer-first data platform. CorralData’s platform offers businesses comprehensive tools to easily manage, analyze, and act on disparate data, addressing critical needs in today’s data-driven landscape.

“We are thrilled to partner with CorralData and support their vision of transforming data management,” said Bryan Barnard, who spearheaded the transaction as the Deal Lead. “CorralData’s innovative platform addresses a critical need in the market, and we believe their solutions will set new standards in the industry.”

According to the New Vantage Partners 2023 State of AI in Digital Marketing Report, 90% of marketers plan to increase their investment in AI next year, reflecting the growing importance of AI in driving business growth and efficiency. Additionally, 86% of marketers will have dedicated budgets for AI tools in 2024, showcasing the strategic priority placed on AI integration. Despite concerns about job displacement, a majority of marketers believe AI will have a positive impact on their careers, emphasizing the need for AI literacy to remain competitive in the job market.

As the world continues to embrace AI technology, CorralData ensures its customers stay ahead of the curve. Customers are now leveraging the platform’s Ask Corral functionality to turn data into actionable insights via plain English. This not only democratizes data but also ensures its security by never exposing customer data to commercial LLMs. By pairing out of the box reporting, ease of chatting with your data in plain English with support for over 500 integrations, CorralData empowers entire organizations to harness the power of AI and data analytics regardless of their technical capabilities.

Alex Lirtsman, Founder and CEO of CorralData, commented, “With NuFund’s investment and support, we are poised to further scale our platform, while doubling down on the effortless setup and powerful capabilities that have made us a game changer for organizations looking to easily drive insights from all of their disparate data sources.”

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 CorralData
CorralData is a leading AI platform that enables organizations to access valuable insights and reporting from all their company data with ease. Designed to democratize data and empower users of all skill levels, CorralData offers a radically simple interface with natural language query functionality, making data analysis accessible to everyone. With more than 500 pre-built integrations and AI-powered support for custom data sources, CorralData is committed to helping businesses make data-driven decisions and stay focused on the metrics that matter. For more information, visit https://corraldata.com/

 

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Nufund Hits Investment Milestone with 100th Startup, Eyes Future Growth

May 6th, 2024. San Diego, CA — NuFund Venture Group, a leader among angel investors and the innovative force behind a unique fund model targeting emerging technology leaders, today celebrates the closure of its landmark 100th investment deal. This milestone not only marks a significant achievement in the firm’s history but also underscores its continued commitment to nurturing high-potential startups across various sectors.

Originally known as Tech Coast Angels – San Diego, NuFund has been a prominent force in the venture capital scene for over 20 years, consistently delivering on its mission to drive economic growth and foster innovation. The firm rebranded to NuFund in 2022 to better reflect its national reach and pioneering fund-first approach, emphasizing its role as one of the largest, most active, and successful early-stage investor groups in the United States.

“Hitting our 100th company investment through our Annual Fund model is an exciting milestone,” said Dean Rosenberg, Co-Fund Manager at NuFund. “We started our Annual Funds 6 years ago with the intent of driving a faster process for founders and higher ROI for our investor members. We are making strong progress on all of those metrics.” In fact, NuFund’s first Annual Fund, launched in Q4 2018, has already paid back the original capital in full (1x DPI), making it a top-performing venture fund in its vintage year.

NuFund boasts 350 active accredited investors from diverse backgrounds and regions nationwide. “In addition to the more than $60M that has been invested since our Annual Fund launched in 2018, NuFund’s greatest strength is our vast and deep bench of subject matter expert (SME) members who not only help us identify the best deals but also help the founders we invest in to succeed on the entrepreneurial journey,” added Ashok Kamal, Co-Fund Manager and Executive Director at NuFund. 

“Our 100th deal represents more than just a number; it is a testament to the power of the Annual Fund model, where active involvement from experienced investors meets the agility and speed of venture capital ” stated Serhat Pala,  President of NuFund. “As the early-stage funding world continues to transform with shifting market dynamics, NuFund’s model answers the growing needs of the startup ecosystem.”

As NuFund celebrates this significant achievement, the firm also looks forward to the future. Plans are underway to expand its portfolio with a heightened focus on AI transformation across different industries, sustainability, and technological innovation in lifesciences, aiming to spearhead new investments that tackle pressing global challenges and opportunities to solve them.

About NuFund Venture Group

NuFund Venture Group represents a new wave of angel investors, pioneering a novel fund model focused on emerging technology leaders. Formerly known as Tech Coast Angels – San Diego, 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.

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