Information

SOSV is a global, multi-stage venture capital firm focused on advancing human and planetary health. With nearly 1,000 startups operating across 56 countries, SOSV supports founders through its flagship programs, IndieBio and HAX, which are located in New York City, Newark, and San Francisco. These programs are backed by offshore design and engineering teams in Pune, India, and Shenzhen, China, enabling startups to accelerate their growth and reach.

Mission and Investment Focus
SOSV specializes in providing early-stage funding as the "First Check in Deep Tech®," focusing on visionary founders working on transformative solutions for human and planetary health. As of April 2024, the firm managed $1.5 billion in assets. Pitchbook consistently ranks SOSV among the most active investors in health and climate technology, holding the top spot in climate tech investments since 2017.

Portfolio and Impact
The top 100 climate tech startups in SOSV's portfolio have a combined valuation of $11.1 billion, having raised $3.68 billion. Similarly, the top 100 health startups are valued at $6.67 billion, with $1.43 billion raised. Some of the leading companies backed by SOSV include NotCo, Upside Foods, Prellis, Avidbots, The EVERY Company, Formlabs, Opentrons, Unspun, Smartex, R-Zero, Voltstorage, Prolific Machines, Mycoworks, Green Li-ion, Videoverse, Neptune Robotics, A2A Pharma, Novoloop, Ten63, and Perfect Day.

Founding and Leadership
SOSV was founded in 1995 by Sean O’Sullivan, who previously co-founded MapInfo, a pioneer in computer-based street mapping. O'Sullivan remains actively engaged with all of SOSV's programs and is committed to advancing entrepreneurship and technology for human and planetary health.

Funds and Partnerships
SOSV’s latest core fund, the $306 million SOSV V, was launched in April 2024, making it the largest in the firm's history. Additionally, SOSV raised a $100 million Select Fund in 2021 to support follow-on investments in its portfolio companies. SOSV also co-founded the Genesis Consortium in partnership with IndieBio, Mayfield, and other industry leaders, providing an additional $250,000 in funding for selected life sciences startups.

Diversity and Global Reach
SOSV is known for its diverse team and global reach. Its workforce spans Asia, North America, and Europe, with 8 general partners from four different nationalities. The portfolio reflects this diversity, comprising 2,600 founders from 84 nationalities, operating in 56 countries. Notably, over 70% of the founders are from outside the U.S., and 30% are from low- to middle-income countries, as classified by the World Bank.

How to Apply

To apply to SOSV's accelerator programs, follow these steps:

Determine the Appropriate Program:

SOSV offers two primary accelerator programs:
IndieBio: Focuses on life sciences and biotechnology startups.
HAX: Specializes in hard tech startups, including hardware and connected devices.
Review each program's focus areas to identify which aligns best with your startup's mission and technology.
Prepare Your Application:

Team Composition: Ensure your founding team has at least two members with complementary skills, as SOSV prefers teams over solo founders.
Business Plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan detailing your technology, target market, competitive landscape, and development roadmap.
Pitch Deck: Create a compelling pitch deck that clearly articulates your problem statement, solution, business model, and go-to-market strategy.
Submit Your Application:

Visit the application portal for your chosen program:
IndieBio Application:
SOSV.COM
HAX Application:
SOSV.COM
Complete the online application form, providing detailed and accurate information about your startup.
Application Review Process:

After submission, the program's investment team will review your application. If your startup aligns with their criteria, they will initiate a series of screening calls.
Screening Calls: These discussions will cover introductions, a 10-15 minute pitch, and delve into aspects such as your founding team, technology, market potential, competitive landscape, and development plans.
The duration of this process can vary from several days to multiple weeks, depending on the depth of diligence required.
Interview and Due Diligence:

If your application progresses, you may be invited for further interviews to assess fit and feasibility.
Be prepared to provide additional information or clarifications as requested.
Acceptance and Onboarding:

Successful applicants will receive an offer to join the accelerator program.
Upon acceptance, you'll gain access to resources such as funding, mentorship, lab space, and a network of industry experts to support your startup's growth.
Additional Considerations:

Eligibility: SOSV accepts applications from startups worldwide. However, participation in the program may require relocation to specific locations, such as New York, Newark, or San Francisco, depending on the program.

Funding: Initial investments range from $250,000 to $500,000, with potential for follow-on funding as your startup progresses.

Program Commitment: The accelerator programs are intensive and typically require full-time commitment from the founding team during the program duration.

For more detailed information, refer to SOSV's Application FAQs:
SOSV.COM

By carefully preparing your application and demonstrating a strong, cohesive team with a compelling value proposition, you can enhance your chances of being accepted into SOSV's accelerator programs.

Total number of startups invested: 474

Average Funding: 250000

Industry: ["technology"]

Market: ["United States"]