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R42 Group

North America, California, United States, Stanford

Description

R42 Group is a distinctive deep science venture firm headquartered in Stanford, California, operating with a dual model as both a venture studio and a venture capital fund. Their core mission revolves around actively inventing, building, and financing pioneering deep science ventures designed to tackle some of humanity's most pressing challenges. This approach distinguishes them from traditional VC firms, as they are not merely investors but also active participants in the creation and development of new companies, aiming to foster groundbreaking innovation from inception.

The firm's investment thesis is sharply focused on several high-impact technological domains. These include artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, robotics, space exploration, and quantum computing. R42 Group strategically partners with leading universities and research institutions, leveraging academic breakthroughs and cutting-edge research to identify and commercialize groundbreaking technologies. This collaborative ecosystem allows them to access a pipeline of innovative ideas at their nascent stages, demonstrating a commitment to long-term, foundational advancements.

In terms of investment strategy, R42 Group primarily targets companies at the pre-seed and seed stages of development. Their initial capital commitments typically range from $250,000 to $2 million, providing crucial early-stage funding for deep tech startups that often require significant capital and long development cycles. Beyond these initial investments, R42 Group is prepared to make substantial follow-on investments in subsequent funding rounds, demonstrating a long-term commitment to their portfolio companies as they scale and mature. To date, their active engagement has resulted in approximately 17 reported investments across their various focus areas, showcasing their consistent activity in the deep science ecosystem.

This integrated model allows R42 Group to provide more than just capital; they offer hands-on support in company formation, strategic guidance, and access to a network of scientific and entrepreneurial expertise. Their dedication to deep science, combined with a flexible investment structure that accommodates both early-stage risk and long-term growth, positions R42 Group as a key player in fostering the next generation of transformative technologies.

Investor Profile

R42 Group has backed more than 25 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 5 rounds, about 20% of its total and boasts 0 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Pre Seed rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland.
  • Strong thematic focus on Biotechnology, Health Care, Artificial Intelligence (AI).
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $250K – $2M.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (56%)
  • Series A (16%)
  • Pre Seed (12%)
  • Series Unknown (8%)
  • Series C (4%)
  • Convertible Note (4%)

Country Focus

  • United Kingdom (64%)
  • United States (28%)
  • Switzerland (8%)

Industry Focus

  • Biotechnology
  • Health Care
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Life Science
  • Medical
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Information Technology
  • Software
  • Biopharma
  • Therapeutics
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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 R42 Group frequently co-invest with?

Emerging Longevity Ventures
North America, Florida, United States, West Palm Beach
Co-Investments: 3
Longevitytech.fund
North America, Florida, United States, Boca Raton
Co-Investments: 4
TI
Asia, Shanghai, China, Shanghai
Co-Investments: 3
Healthspan Capital
North America, California, United States, El Cerrito
Co-Investments: 3
ACF Investors
Europe, Sheffield, United Kingdom, Sheffield
Co-Investments: 3
Cambridge Angels group
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 5
QantX
Europe, Devon, United Kingdom, Exeter
Co-Investments: 2
APEX Ventures
Europe, Wien, Austria, Vienna
Co-Investments: 4
O2h Ventures
Europe, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, Hauxton
Co-Investments: 3
University of Cambridge Enterprise
Europe, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, Cambridge
Co-Investments: 4

Which angels does R42 Group often collaborate with?

JG
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
NR
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
HG
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Boston
Shared Deals: 1
ER
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Shared Deals: 1
JM
North America, Massachusetts, United States, Cambridge
Shared Deals: 2

What are some of recent deals done by R42 Group?

Abselion

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Abselion is the biological sensor for rapid and cost-effective detection of biological substances.

Biotechnology
Series ADec 4, 2024
Amount Raised: $8,382,496
Healx

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

Healx is a rare disease biotechnology company that uses generative AI for drug discovery.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)BiopharmaBiotechnologyHealth CareLife ScienceMedical
Series CAug 1, 2024
Amount Raised: $47,000,000
xWatts

London, England, United Kingdom

xWatts is an intelligent energy management system that helps commercial buildings reduce costs and emissions.

Energy ManagementSoftware
Pre SeedJul 18, 2024
Amount Raised: $1,800,000
Rubedo Life Sciences

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Rubedo Life Sciences focuses on developing medicines that target the specific cells responsible for aging, known as pathologic cells.

BiotechnologyHealth CareLife Science
Series AApr 22, 2024
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
Senisca

Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom

Senisca is a biotech spinout company that creates a new generation of oligonucleotide-based interventions.

BiotechnologyHealth Care
SeedMar 18, 2024
Amount Raised: $4,708,943
Reservoir Neuroscience

Emeryville, California, United States

Reservoir Neuroscience is a biopharma company that develops novel therapeutics.

BiopharmaBiotechnologyTherapeutics
Series UnknownJan 18, 2024
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
KetoSwiss

Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

KetoSwiss is a Swiss-based BioTech startup that strives to bring ketone bodies back into the modern world to combat diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
SeedAug 3, 2023
Amount Raised: $800,000
KetoSwiss

Basel, Basel-Stadt, Switzerland

KetoSwiss is a Swiss-based BioTech startup that strives to bring ketone bodies back into the modern world to combat diseases.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedical
SeedOct 13, 2022
Amount Raised: $4,000,000
Silveray

Stockport, Stockport, United Kingdom

Silveray develop affordable large-area direct conversion detectors for the X-ray imaging market.

MedicalMedical Device
SeedOct 12, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,442,195
WiseWorks

London, England, United Kingdom

Meeting automation platform for corporate governance

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Communications InfrastructureNatural Language Processing
SeedJul 4, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,200,000