Venture capital (VC) firms plays a crucial role in the healthcare space by providing funding and strategic support to early-stage companies, to help drive innovation in a market that is often tough to break into. Estimates suggest that roughly 21-32% of total VC investment is allocated to the healthcare sector. Most healthcare startups sell to health systems (targeting large enterprise contracts), and at least 23 health systems operate VC arms.
As part of our going series of free fundraising resources and investor lists for founders, this article will explore the top 9 active VC firms and investors focused on healthcare startups, with details on each firm’s investment focus, history and fund size.
1. RA Capital
RA Capital Management is an investment advisor based in Boston specializing in the life-sciences and drug development sectors. Their team has been investing since 2002 and is comprised of professionals with training in biology, chemistry, and medicine and also has industry and business development experience at the executive and board levels. They invest in companies with promising technologies and products. Their approach is to achieve a superior understanding of data, experimental/trial design, regulatory process, and commercial potential. When appropriate, they can offer their portfolio companies leads on in-licensing opportunities and strategic partnerships, as well as insight into the demands of the public markets.
- Founded: 2001
- Fund Size: $2B
- Website: racap.com
2. OrbiMed
OrbiMed is a healthcare-dedicated investment firm, with approximately $5 billion in assets under management. OrbiMed’s investment advisory business was founded in 1989 with a vision to invest across the spectrum of healthcare companies: from private start-ups to large multinational companies. OrbiMed manages the Caduceus Private Investments series of venture capital funds and a family of public equity investment funds.
- Founded: 1989
- Fund Size: $8.6B
- Website: orbimed.com
3. Rock Health
Rock Health is a full-service seed fund that invests and supports startups working in digital health. It exists to fund and support entrepreneurs working at the intersection of healthcare and technology. The fund offers funding, access to venture, legal and corporate partners, medical, and office space to its portfolio companies. They seek toinvest in relentless problem solvers and support them in growing scalable, sustainable businesses making a positive impact.
- Founded: 2010
- Fund Size: $5M
- Website: rockhealth.com
4. Box Group
NYC-based venture capital Box Group invests in startups as early as pre-seed rounds to series A. BoxGroup is an investment fund company based in New York City. The company was founded in 2007 by David Tisch. Our goal at BoxGroup is to invest at the earliest stage. Early stage fundraising has taken on many names— friends & family round, pre-seed, seed, etc. and we’re open to all of them. We’re comfortable with what early means— a lot of assumptions, more vision than traction, and raw product. BoxGroup believes that technology can be a catalyst for positive change and progress. They look for entrepreneurs working at the beginning of movements in existing markets, or new markets yet to be created, and with visions to create the next generation of category defining businesses.
- Founded: 2008
- Fund Size: 255000000
- Website:
5. HealthTech Capital
HealthTech Capital is a group of private investors dedicated to funding and mentoring new HealthTech start ups at the intersection of healthcare with the computer and mobility worlds. HealthTech Capital is creating a new ecosystem with leading edge clinical providers, venture firms and other strategic industry players.
- Founded: 2010
- Fund Size: $15M
- Website: healthtechcapital.com
6. Karista VC
Karista is an early-stage venture capital firm created in 2001. They funded 90+ companies over the past two decades and support tomorrow’s game changers in the field of Health, Digital, Tech, and NewSpace. They have always worked to provide more than cash and partnered with entrepreneurs whom they share a common vision with.
- Founded: 2001
- Fund Size: $281.1M
- Website: karista.vc
7. MPM Capital
MPM Capital is a healthcare investment firm that invests in early-stage companies developing innovative therapeutic technologies in oncology. The firm is founding and investing in life sciences companies both public and private that seek to cure major diseases by translating scientific innovations into positive clinical outcomes.
- Founded: 1996
- Fund Size: $3.9B
- Website: mpmcapital.com
8. Blue Venture Fund
The Blue Venture Fund is unique collaboration between Blue Cross Blue Shield companies.
- Founded: 2008
- Fund Size: $ 1M – $ 20M
- Website: blueventurefund.com
9. Oxford Science Enterprises
Oxford Science Enterprises is the university-partnered venture firm. They work with the University of Oxford to build companies that create fundamental technologies: science-based businesses capable of tackling the planet’s toughest problems. OSE invest in life science, AI and software, healthcare, and deep tech to create companies taking on challenges like nuclear fusion, quantum computing and developing treatments and cures for infectious diseases. Founded in 2015, we’ve raised over £600M to create a world-class technology ecosystem, and combine our deep experience with a network of investors, entrepreneurs and sector-experts to find co-investment, build businesses, and hire senior management talent.
- Founded: 2015
- Fund Size: $325.8M
- Website: oxfordscienceenterprises.com
Raising funding for your startup? Create the perfect healthcare pitch deck:
Are you interested in learning how to write and design a winning pitch deck for your startup? You may be interested in our popular MedTech Pitch Deck template — designed by experts who have helped startups close millions in funding from top investors. Here are some other resources for founders in the healthcare space:
- Guide to creating a healthcare pitch deck
- Examples of successful healthcare pitch decks like Carrum Health, 98point6, Oshi Health and Tomorrow Health
- Comprehensive recipe for the perfect pitch deck
