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UpStart Ventures
UpStart Ventures invests primarily in seed and early-stage healthcare companies based on breakthrough technologies from major research universities, centered...
UpStart Ventures
UpStart Ventures invests primarily in seed and early-stage healthcare companies based on breakthrough technologies from major research universities, centered around Utah and neighboring states. The firm invests in medical devices, drug delivery systems, and diagnostics, as well as longer-range investments in biopharma products and platforms. Central to its strategy is creating value through formation and initial management of leading-edge life science companies rather than traditional venture investing in pre-existing companies.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2012
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Salt Lake City
Corporate office
Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Principals
Ryan R. Williams
Founder and Managing Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at UpStart Ventures?
Ryan R. Williams, Founder and Managing Partner, chairs the investment committee and makes final call on all partnership-level allocations. The firm operates a consensus-oriented committee that includes additional partners with operating backgrounds from Utah tech companies including Qualtrics and Domo — their subject-matter assessments carry material weight in diligence on SaaS and applied AI deals.
Does UpStart Ventures participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
UpStart is exclusively a direct investor. The firm does not commit to funds-of-funds or act as an LP in other venture vehicles. Its model is built on leading or co-leading seed and pre-seed rounds, with reserves held for follow-on investments through Series A.
How does UpStart Ventures source proprietary deal flow?
The firm leans on a deeply local, technical-founder referral network in the Intermountain West. Alumni from Utah anchor companies, relationships with Brigham Young University labs, and ties to the SLC Tech community generate the majority of the pipeline. UpStart has also cultivated a reputation as a first-call lead for founders seeking an investor with operating experience rather than purely financial capital.
What investment stages does UpStart Ventures typically target?
The firm targets pre-seed and seed rounds almost exclusively, writing initial checks from $500,000 to $3 million. It reserves capital to follow on through Series A, and its model intentionally avoids growth-stage or late-stage investing to maintain a cost-basis advantage in a lower-cost geography.
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