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Polaris Partners

North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston

Description

Polaris Partners is a well-established venture capital and growth equity firm with a significant presence in the United States, particularly known for its investments in the healthcare and technology sectors. Founded in 1996, the firm has cultivated a reputation for partnering with entrepreneurs from the earliest stages of company formation through to growth equity rounds, providing not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational expertise. With offices in Boston and San Francisco, Polaris maintains a dual focus on innovation across diverse industries.

Within healthcare, Polaris targets opportunities in biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare services, and digital health, seeking to back companies that are developing groundbreaking therapies, diagnostics, or solutions to improve patient outcomes and system efficiency. On the technology front, their interests span software, fintech, cybersecurity, data analytics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and cloud infrastructure, supporting companies that are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to disrupt markets and create new value. The firm's approach is characterized by a hands-on partnership, working closely with management teams to navigate challenges and accelerate growth.

Polaris Partners manages substantial capital, reflecting its capacity for significant investments. For instance, its most recent fund, Polaris Partners X, successfully closed at $500 million in 2023, following Polaris Partners IX, which raised $435 million in 2021. The firm typically deploys initial investments ranging from $5 million for early-stage ventures to upwards of $30 million for more mature, growth-stage companies. This flexible investment strategy allows Polaris to support companies across various development phases, from seed and Series A rounds to later-stage growth equity. Their long-term commitment and deep sector expertise position them as a valuable partner for ambitious founders.

Investor Profile

Polaris Partners has backed more than 675 startups, with 11 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 177 rounds, about 26% of its total and boasts 190 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series B, Series A, Series C rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, Singapore, Ireland.
  • Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Biotechnology, Medical.
  • Led 5 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $30M.

Stage Focus

  • Series B (25%)
  • Series A (24%)
  • Series C (16%)
  • Series Unknown (16%)
  • Seed (8%)
  • Series D (6%)
  • Series E (2%)
  • Private Equity (2%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (1%)
  • Series F (1%)

Country Focus

  • United States (94%)
  • Singapore (1%)
  • Ireland (1%)
  • The Netherlands (1%)
  • United Kingdom (1%)
  • Israel (1%)

Industry Focus

  • Health Care
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical
  • Software
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Information Technology
  • Medical Device
  • Enterprise Software
  • Saas
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Polaris Partners frequently co-invest with?

OrbiMed
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 28
Alexandria Venture Investments
North America, California, United States, Pasadena
Co-Investments: 22
General Catalyst
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 22
Google Ventures
North America, California, United States, Mountain View
Co-Investments: 39
Intersouth Partners
North America, North Carolina, United States, Durham
Co-Investments: 24
Lux Capital
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 26
Venrock
North America, California, United States, Palo Alto
Co-Investments: 27
Flagship Pioneering
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 49
Invus
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 23
ARCH Venture Partners
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Co-Investments: 54

Which angels does Polaris Partners often collaborate with?

RK
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 3
BG
North America, Washington, United States, Seattle
Shared Deals: 3
TA
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Shared Deals: 9
GT
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
Dave Morin
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
FB
North America, New York, United States, New York
Shared Deals: 3
AS
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2
JS
North America, California, United States
Shared Deals: 2
NW
North America, Minnesota, United States, Minneapolis
Shared Deals: 4
Dalton Caldwell
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by Polaris Partners?

Cohere Health

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Cohere Health is a SaaS company that focuses on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

Consumer SoftwareHealth CareSaaSSoftware
Series CMay 14, 2025
Amount Raised: $90,000,000
Auron Therapeutics

Newton, Massachusetts, United States

Auron aims to cure cancer therapeutics from cell killing to transformation of malignant cells into more normal functioning cells.

BiotechnologyHealth CareTherapeutics
Series BFeb 4, 2025
Amount Raised: $27,000,000
Leyden Labs

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Leyden Labs provides a platform that targets commonalities of viral families to protect humanity from known and future viruses.

BiotechnologyLife ScienceTherapeutics
Series BJan 9, 2025
Amount Raised: $70,000,000
FIRE1

Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

FIRE1 and is based in Dublin, Ireland, will focus on developing novel therapeutic devices.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical DeviceTherapeutics
Series UnknownJan 7, 2025
Amount Raised: $120,000,000
Noema Pharma

Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

Noema Pharma is a biotech company that develops therapies to address disabling symptoms in conditions of the brain and nervous system.

BiotechnologyMedicalPharmaceutical
Series BDec 11, 2024
Amount Raised: $30,567,953
TRex Bio

South San Francisco, California, United States

TRex Bio is a biotechnology company that treats diseases like cancer, fibrotic by studying human tissues.

BioinformaticsBiopharmaBiotechnology
Series BNov 13, 2024
Amount Raised: $84,000,000
Sunbird Bio

Singapore, Central Region, Singapore

Sunbird Bio is a diagnostics platform developer that aims to give molecular diagnostics with faster outcomes.

BiotechnologyHealth CareHealth DiagnosticsMedical
Series UnknownOct 16, 2024
Amount Raised: $14,000,000
Candid Therapeutics

San Diego, California, United States

Candid Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that focuses on the treatment of a range of immunological conditions.

BiotechnologyProduct ResearchTherapeutics
Series ASep 9, 2024
Amount Raised: $370,000,000
Noetik

South San Francisco, California, United States

Noetik is an AI-native biotechnology company.

BiotechnologyLife Science
Series AAug 28, 2024
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
BeMe Health

Miami, Florida, United States

Be Me Health is a mobile platform that focuses on the mental health and emotional well-being of teens.

Mental HealthMobileWellnessYoung Adults
SeedAug 22, 2024
Amount Raised: $12,500,000