Description
Illumina Ventures is an independently-managed, early-stage venture capital firm focused on genomics, precision health, and life science innovation. It was launched in 2016 in Foster City, California in strategic partnership with Illumina, Inc., the global leader in DNA sequencing, though the VC operates independently and raises capital from multiple limited partners.
Illumina Ventures also operates Illumina Ventures Labs, an early-stage company creation and acceleration engine that provides capital, mentorship, lab resources, and sequencing infrastructure to emerging genomics startups.
Specific Funding Stage
Pre-Seed / Seed (Core Focus)
- Illumina Ventures primarily invests in pre-seed and seed stage companies pioneering applications of genomics and precision health.
- Through Illumina Ventures Labs, it engages even earlier via hybrid cash + in-kind support, technical mentorship, and access to fully equipped genomics labs before traditional seed rounds.
Early Growth / Series A (Follow-On)
- Illumina Ventures also participates in later early rounds (e.g., Series A) as portfolio companies grow, often syndicating with other institutional life sciences investors.
Investment Amount and Typical Equity
Check Size
- Reported allocation per investment typically ranges from around $500 K up to ~$10 M+ depending on stage, deal structure, and follow-on participation.
Equity Taken
- Illumina Ventures does not publicly disclose a fixed equity target. Like most institutional VCs, ownership is negotiated deal-by-deal based on valuation and financing dynamics.
- When participating via Illumina Ventures Labs, early support often combines capital with in-kind sequencing access, which may affect overall equity terms in ways tailored to each startup’s needs.
Implied Ownership (Contextual, Not Published)
- Typical early-stage VC outcomes result in minority, non-controlling stakes, with exact percentages depending on round size, valuation, and co-investors.
Equity Structure
- Investments use standard venture instruments appropriate for early stages (e.g., priced preferred equity, SAFEs, or notes depending on round structure).
- Equity allocations are negotiated with founders and co-investors; Illumina Ventures emphasizes cash + in-kind technical support (e.g., lab access, sequencing) particularly through its Lab program, which can effectively extend runway and de-risk early translational work.
Application / Submission Method
Submission Method
- Illumina Ventures primarily sources opportunities through warm introductions, founder outreach, and in part via Illumina Ventures Labs relationships with startups in genomics and precision health.
- Intro is preferred over cold outreach.
Interaction
- Startups that engage with Illumina Ventures Labs gain structured interaction via monthly mentorship sessions, sequencing support, and collaboration with technical teams, which also serves as de-facto diligence before formal investment.
