Brazen Capital, LLC established its first fund to launch the next generation of scientist-CEOs with a focus on "outlier" founder teams (particularly women and underrepresented founders).
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Brazen Capital, LLC established its first fund to launch the next generation of scientist-CEOs with a focus on "outlier" founder teams (particularly women and underrepresented founders).
Brazen Capital's Partners—both outlier founders themselves—previously launched startups based on their own laboratory research. Founding Partner, W. Shawn Carbonell, MD, PhD, raised over $20M from angel investors enabling him to invent a novel cancer drug candidate currently in phase I clinical trial. General Partner, Monica Berrondo, PhD, bootstrapped her AI-driven antibody therapeutics company for years before she gained acceptance into the prestigious startup accelerator—Y Combinator—and ultimately raised venture capital.
Beyond funding, the unique value-add of Brazen Capital is the guidance and network both partners provide to founders based on their two decades of battle-proven experience as scientist-CEOs.
The fund recognizes the massive unlocked value—for patients AND investors—in scientists translating their research through startups. The sweet spot for Brazen Capital is pre-incorporation to pre-seed and they intend to back around three dozen startups focused on therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and consumer wellness with up to $50K per team under founder-friendly terms.
Brazen Capital is also building an ecosystem in partnership with their sister company—Brazen Bio—to support rising founders at the earliest stages. This includes community, events, access to laboratory space and equipment, membership to the world's first biotech launch house—Brazen House—in Redondo Beach, as well as access to Dr. Carbonell's social media platform which boasts over 100 million views.
Brazen Capital recently announced their first investment in the current Y Combinator cell therapy startup, Guardian Bio. "Our investment in Guardian Bio is a full-circle moment and truly demonstrates the power of building community in biotech/STEM," said Carbonell. "Cofounder, Ricky Barrett, PhD, and I first discovered each other creating science content on TikTok in 2020 and we began collaborating in 2021 through Brazen Bio. So, it was only appropriate he accepted our investment on behalf of Guardian Bio in a TikTok DM!"
Ananya Zutshi, cofounder and CEO of Guardian Bio stated, "we were heads-down focused on Y Combinator. We decided to partner with Brazen Capital midstream particularly for their valuable expertise heading into Demo Day and beyond. We have been impressed by Shawn and Monica's willingness to engage and support founders in whatever way they can and are thrilled to be Brazen Capital's first ever portfolio company."
Brazen Capital is raising in public through Regulation D, 506c which allows general solicitation. Qualified purchasers and accredited investors interested in becoming a limited partner in Fund I may register their interest HERE.
Media Contact
Shawn Carbonell, MD, PhD, Brazen Capital LLC, 1 4156543548, [email protected]
SOURCE Brazen Capital LLC
Share this article