MFV Partners has launched Harper Court Ventures Fund I, a $25 million early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to supporting deep technology startups originating from the University of Chicago ecosystem. The fund, independently managed by MFV Partners and backed by the UChicago Endowment and members of the University’s Board of Trustees, will focus on pre-seed and seed-stage companies in quantum computing, life sciences, energy, and artificial intelligence. Initial investments have already been made in Flow Medical, SimCare AI, and Beacon, with plans to support approximately 40 startups over the next three years through close collaboration with the University’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Harper Court Ventures Fund I allocates capital to pre-seed and seed-stage companies originating from research within the University of Chicago, utilising programmes at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and drawing upon faculty, students, and the alumni network. The fund’s investment thesis centres on supporting visionary entrepreneurs who address substantial global challenges through innovative technologies. Approximately 40 startups will receive funding over the next three years, fostering innovation and commercialisation of cutting-edge research.
The University of Chicago provides a robust ecosystem for deep tech development, boasting over 160 interdisciplinary institutes and 50 core facilities, alongside a distinguished history of Nobel laureate affiliation. Its stewardship of Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories further strengthens this environment. Collaboration between Harper Court Ventures and the Polsky Center facilitates the identification of promising startups and delivers crucial early-stage capital.
The initial portfolio includes Flow Medical, which develops catheter-based therapies for acute pulmonary embolism, and SimCare AI, creating a scalable platform for clinical skills training utilising AI-generated patient interactions. Beacon, focused on real-time illness prevention through novel air and surface purification technology, also features prominently, demonstrating the fund’s commitment to translating academic research into commercially viable solutions.
MFV Partners, established in 2018, brings a proven track record of investment in early-stage deep tech, including companies in robotics, quantum computing, and semiconductors. Their expertise complements the University’s research capabilities, providing portfolio companies with both financial resources and strategic guidance. The fund’s investment strategy centres on high-impact sectors including quantum computing, life sciences, energy, and artificial intelligence, targeting ventures with patented technology poised to establish or lead new market categories.
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