SOSV Research Document
Investment Thesis
SOSV is "The First Check in Deep Tech®" - a global, multi-stage venture capital firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of venture capital and startup development programs. Founded in 1995 by serial founder Sean O'Sullivan, SOSV's core thesis is that the most transformative companies solving human and planetary health will emerge from deep tech founders who combine rigorous science and engineering with entrepreneurial vision.
SOSV doesn't just provide capital; it provides an extraordinary ecosystem. The firm operates HAX (hardware and robotics) and IndieBio (biotech and life sciences) - industry-leading startup development programs with 85,000 square feet of in-house labs, manufacturing facilities, and specialized equipment. SOSV believes that great founders come from all geographies and backgrounds, and systematically seeks to democratize deep tech innovation.
Core Investment Focus
Human and Planetary Health: SOSV's dual mandate drives investment across:
Planetary Health (Climate & Sustainability)
- Climate tech (renewable energy, carbon removal, sustainable materials, circular economy)
- Critical minerals extraction and processing
- Sustainable manufacturing and advanced materials
- AgTech and regenerative agriculture
- Clean energy infrastructure
Human Health
- Therapeutics and biotech (addressing cancers, genetic diseases, pandemic preparedness)
- Diagnostics and medtech
- Women's health (endometriosis, fertility, women-specific conditions)
- Digital health and remote care
- Assistive robotics and accessibility
Deep Tech (Cross-cutting)
- Robotics and automation
- AI and machine learning (applied to real-world physical problems)
- Hardware and advanced manufacturing
- Physical AI (intelligent machines that sense, decide, and act)
- Industrial biotech and synthetic biology
Investment Model: "First Check in Deep Tech®"
SOSV operates a distinctive two-phase investment model:
Phase 1: Pre-Seed via Startup Programs
- HAX: 4-month hardware accelerator focused on robotics, advanced manufacturing, and physical hardware
- IndieBio: 4-month biotech accelerator turning scientists into entrepreneurs
- Check size: Up to $550,000 per company
- Scope: ~60 pre-seed investments annually
- Program locations: San Francisco, New York, Newark (HQ in Princeton, NJ)
- Global presence: Engineering and manufacturing teams in Shenzhen, Pune, and Tokyo
- Program value: Beyond capital - founders get 85,000 sq ft of specialized labs, equipment access, design and engineering teams, weekly mentorship, and investor introductions
Phase 2: Follow-on Rounds
- Participates in 150+ follow-on rounds annually
- Network of 1,000+ co-investors
- Series Seed through Series B+ support
- Strong track record: Portfolio companies raised $6.5B between 2021-2024 with SOSV participating in 579 follow-on rounds
Stage Focus & Check Sizes
- Pre-Seed (via programs): Up to $550,000
- Seed: $1M-$3M range typical
- Series A: Participation in larger rounds ($8M-$20M+)
- Follow-ons: Growth capital for proven portfolio companies
Lead Tendency: SOSV leads pre-seed investments (first institutional money via programs). For follow-ons, typically co-leads or participates in rounds led by larger firms (Series A+).
Portfolio Strength & Track Record
Scale and Impact
- 900+ portfolio companies across all cohorts
- 231 companies graduated from HAX and IndieBio (2021-2024)
- $6.5 billion raised by portfolio companies (2021-2024)
- 1,000+ co-investors in portfolio network
- 64% women representation in portfolio (32% female founders, 44% hold PhDs)
Sector Concentration
- Climate Tech: 147 companies ($11.1B valuation in top 100, $3.68B invested)
- Human Health: 137 companies (therapeutics, diagnostics, medtech, digital health)
- Robotics & Automation: 57 companies
- AI & Machine Learning: 52 companies (applied to physical world)
- Therapeutics: 50 companies
- Sustainable Manufacturing: 75 companies
Notable Portfolio Companies & Exits
- Ten63: AI platform for drug discovery (drugging "undruggable" cancers)
- NotCo: AI-driven plant-based foods ($300M+ valuation, Series C+)
- unspun: 3D weaving for sustainable fashion ($57M+ raised)
- Novoloop: Plastics upcycling (Series A, $21M+)
- Upside Foods: Cultivated meat production (53,000 sq ft facility in Emeryville)
- OpenTrons: Liquid-handling robotics (now billion-dollar company)
- Calder Biosciences: Universal vaccine approach (Pre-Seed focus)
- Hoofprint Biome: Enteric methane reduction via natural biology
- Prolific Machines: Cultured meat at scale
- Protonintel: AI for kidney care and home dialysis
- Hyperlume: Optical interconnects for datacenters
- Cocoon: Low-carbon cement from industrial CO2
Recent Activity & Fund Status
SOSV V (Flagship Fund)
- Closed: April 2024
- Size: $306 million (largest fund to date)
- AUM: $1.5 billion total (across all funds)
- Focus: Deep tech for human and planetary health with emphasis on decarbonization
- Status: Actively deploying
Recent Investments (2025-2026)
- January 2026: FluoSphera (antifungal therapeutics, Seed)
- November 2025: Multiple IndieBio NY companies (Investor Showcase announced for March 11, 2026)
- Ongoing: ~60 pre-seed investments annually via HAX and IndieBio
- Follow-ons: Participating in 150+ follow-on rounds per year
Team & Decision Process
SOSV operates with a partnership model where major investment decisions are discussed with relevant program partners. Pre-seed programs accept applications on a rolling basis with decisions made within 2-3 weeks. Investment committee votes on larger follow-on investments. Decision-making emphasizes founder background, problem validation, and team execution capability.
Geographic Focus
SOSV maintains a truly global presence with 900+ portfolio companies across 59 countries. Primary markets include North America (349 companies), Europe (122), East Asia (56), and India (34). Physical operations span San Francisco, New York, Newark, Princeton (HQ), Shenzhen (manufacturing), Pune (engineering), and Tokyo (Asia-Pacific).
Key Metrics & Stats
- Founded: 1995 (31 years of investing experience)
- AUM: $1.5 billion across all funds
- Latest Fund: SOSV V ($306M, closed April 2024)
- Annual Pre-seed: ~60 investments up to $550k each
- Annual Follow-ons: ~150 investments
- Portfolio Size: 900+ companies
- Program Graduates (2021-2024): 231 companies
- Founder Demographics: 44% PhD holders, 32% female founders, 500+ women backed, founders from 79 nationalities
- Portfolio Raises: $6.5B (2021-2024)
- Exit Count: 44 to date
- Co-investor Network: 1,000+ partners
- Lab Space: 85,000 sq feet across all locations
- Team Size: 80+ across programs and management