# Battelle Memorial Institute

Battelle Memorial Institute is an Endowment / Foundation based in Columbus, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Endowment / Foundation
- **Headquarters:** Columbus, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** 505 King Ave., Columbus, OH 43201, United States
- **Founded:** 1929
- **Assets under management:** 2600 (Altss estimate)
- **Website:** battelle.org
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/battelle

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Battelle Memorial Institute was established in 1929 by Gordon Battelle from metals and mining wealth. The Columbus-based nonprofit conducts applied research and manages national laboratories under contract. The institute allocates across venture capital, buyouts, and direct holdings in life sciences and energy. Confirmed positions include AmplifyBio, Allonnia, and Rajant Corporation. Operations span the United States with joint ventures in Tennessee and New York. Battelle also runs Battelle Ventures as its venture arm. The firm employs over 10,000 professionals and maintains facilities in Ohio, Maryland, and Massachusetts. It sponsors events on bioremediation and climate resilience. A donor-advised fund supports STEM education in Central Ohio. Battelle structures itself through joint ventures with universities and the Department of Energy rather than traditional fund commitments. This model ties research mandates directly to laboratory operations and spin-out companies.

## Sectors

- National Security
- Health and Life Sciences
- Energy and Environment

## People

- Lewis Von Thaer — President and CEO
- Kirkland Donald — Board Chair

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Battelle Memorial Institute?

Lewis Von Thaer serves as President and CEO. The board, chaired by Kirkland Donald, oversees major allocations and joint ventures.

### Does Battelle participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

Battelle makes direct investments through its operating subsidiaries and Battelle Ventures. It also holds limited partner positions in external funds.

### What investment stages does Battelle typically target?

The institute targets early-stage seed and start-up investments alongside later-stage growth and buyout opportunities in its core sectors.

### How is Battelle related to its joint-venture laboratories?

Battelle holds 50 percent ownership in entities such as UT-Battelle and Brookhaven Science Associates that manage DOE national laboratories.

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/battelle-memorial-institute

Maintained by Altss — https://altss.com — methodology: https://altss.com/methodology