Breakout Ventures Grows to Meet Opportunities In Creative Biosciences
Experts in neuroscience and organic chemistry to provide scientific counsel and drive investment growth towards a bio-based future
Breakout Ventures, the home for creative bioscience entrepreneurs, today announced the hire of Dr. Dana Watt and Dr. Nima Ronaghi, expanding Breakout’s scientific depth and investing team. Previously, Dr. Watt served as a Senior Investment Associate for Ascension Ventures, a healthcare venture fund. Dr. Ronaghi served as an Ambassador for Breakout Labs, the precursor to Breakout Ventures.
A neuroscientist by training, Dr. Dana Watt earned her doctorate in cellular and molecular neurosciences at Washington University in St. Louis. While a graduate student, she was deeply involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in St. Louis, co-founding Pro-Arc Diagnostics, a molecular diagnostics company. She worked closely with the University’s entrepreneurship center as she conducted research focused on axon growth and regeneration. While at Ascension Ventures, Dr. Watt also became a Kauffman Fellow.
As a Principal, Dr. Watt will continue to expand Breakout Ventures’ seed-stage portfolio, cultivating new relationships with bold entrepreneurs revolutionizing human health and sustainability.
Dr. Nima Ronaghi joins Breakout Ventures as an Associate, having earned his doctorate in organic chemistry at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Ronaghi was funded by the Renewable Bioproducts Institute, a research institute within Georgia Tech focused on converting biomass into value-added products, developing advanced chemical and bio-based refining technologies, and advancing excellence in manufacturing processes.
In his new role as an Associate, Dr. Ronaghi will evaluate and grow Breakout Ventures’ early-stage pipeline and deep tech ecosystem.
“Drs. Watt and Ronaghi both bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our growing team,” said Julia Moore, Managing Partner of Breakout Ventures. “Both have the scientific backgrounds to identify, support and build companies that are pushing the traditional boundaries of science to unlock new possibilities, and the experience to build relationships with the bold entrepreneurs leading them.”
Breakout Ventures is led by Managing Partners Lindy Fishburne and Julia Moore, who have spent the last decade supporting creative bioscience companies initially through Breakout Labs and then launching Breakout Ventures in 2016. The firm is based in San Francisco.
To learn more, please visit www.breakout.vc.
View the original press release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211111005779/en/
