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ONCE Ventures
ONCE Ventures is a venture capital based in Sherman Oaks, founded 2020; the Altss profile covers its classification, headquarters, registration, AUM band, and...
ONCE Ventures
Learn about ONCE Ventures and our focus on health and wellness innovations aligned with Otsuka
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2020
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Sherman Oaks
Corporate office
Sherman Oaks, CA, United States
Principals
Ara Abrahamian
Managing Director
Andrew Goodman
Investment Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at ONCE Ventures?
Managing Director Ara Abrahamian leads the investment team, with Investment Director Andrew Goodman serving as the next senior decision-maker. The firm lists six investment professionals on its public team page, operating from the Sherman Oaks headquarters.
How is ONCE Ventures related to Otsuka Pharmaceutical?
ONCE Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Otsuka, specifically housed within its North American nutraceutical division. It invests in consumer-health startups that align with Otsuka's existing over-the-counter supplement and functional-food brands, leveraging the parent company's R&D, manufacturing, and retail relationships.
What check size and stage does ONCE Ventures target?
The firm writes equity checks of up to $5 million, focused on Series A and B companies. ONCE Ventures states it may consider earlier or later-stage opportunities on a case-by-case basis, but its standard screen requires at least $1 million in demonstrated revenue or strong clinical evidence.
Which sectors does ONCE Ventures explicitly invest in?
Five focus areas are named: longevity science, the microbiome, personalized nutrition, mental wellness, and women's health. The firm also maintains an open category for scientifically differentiated medical foods, supplements, digital health solutions, and consumer devices available without a prescription.
Does ONCE Ventures invest outside North America?
No. The firm's stated criteria require portfolio companies to be located in or focused on North America. The parent company, Otsuka, is headquartered in Japan, but ONCE Ventures invests strictly within its North American nutraceutical mandate.
What strategic advantages does ONCE Ventures offer beyond capital?
Portfolio companies gain access to Otsuka's proprietary retail relationships, cross-channel go-to-market strategy capabilities, clinical research design, intellectual property protection, and regulatory expertise. The firm markets this as a built-in commercial infrastructure, distinct from a purely financial VC.
Does ONCE Ventures require a strategic fit with Otsuka's existing businesses?
Yes. The firm's investment criteria explicitly list strong strategic fit with Otsuka's existing businesses as a requirement. This means portfolio companies typically have a pathway to distribution through Otsuka's consumer-health brand portfolio or can leverage its pharmaceutical-originated scientific resources.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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