California Innovation Fund

Established in 2021 and based in Berkeley, California, the California Innovation Fund is a venture capital firm dedicated to supporting early-stage startups affiliated with the University of California. The fund invests between $250K and $1 million, focusing on innovative solutions that address significant challenges and contribute positively to society.

Jerry Bellman

Investor

Roger Benson

Partner

Mateo Bueno

Partner

Liz Feinstein

Partner

Stacey King

Investor

12 past transactions

SixMap

Venture Round in 2025
SixMap is a technology company specializing in external attack surface management. Its platform detects and helps remediate network security policy issues by providing insights into potential cyberattack vectors.

MIIST Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2025
MIIST Therapeutics focuses on advancing pulmonary drug delivery systems and digital platforms to improve inhaled drug therapies. The company is developing innovative technology aimed at facilitating smoking cessation and addressing the health risks associated with tobacco use. By creating inhaler technology that targets the deepest areas of the lungs, MIIST enables rapid absorption of medications. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of inhaled treatments for various health conditions, starting with smoking addiction, and ultimately seeks to reduce the significant health burdens related to tobacco consumption.

Catena Biosciences

Seed Round in 2024
Catena Biosciences specializes in biotechnology, offering protein conjugation services for building biological structures and facilitating medical research. Its proprietary technology enables the attachment of proteins with high selectivity, supporting innovation in autoimmune disorders, oncology, and vaccine development.

FreeWire

Series B in 2022
FreeWire Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturer of mobile electric vehicle (EV) chargers, focused on providing innovative charging solutions that enhance the accessibility of EV charging infrastructure. Established in 2014 and based in San Leandro, California, the company produces several models, including the Mobi Charger v0, v1, and v2, which cater to varying charging needs and capabilities. FreeWire’s flagship product, the Boost Charger, integrates battery technology with power conversion systems, allowing for high-power charging without the need for extensive grid upgrades. This technology enables ultrafast charging at locations that typically lack sufficient electrical infrastructure. FreeWire has successfully deployed its battery-integrated chargers across the United States, serving Fortune 100 companies, commercial clients, fleets, and retail spaces, and has partnered with major organizations to expand its reach. Additionally, the company's systems provide clean and quiet power solutions, effectively replacing or supplementing diesel generators for various remote power applications, thereby supporting the transition away from fossil fuels.

SixMap

Series A in 2022
SixMap is a technology company specializing in external attack surface management. Its platform detects and helps remediate network security policy issues by providing insights into potential cyberattack vectors.

Windfall

Series B in 2022
Founded in 2016, Windfall develops an AI-powered platform that generates and activates people insights for effective go-to-market strategies. It serves over 400 organizations by providing weekly-updated consumer financial data to identify and engage promising constituents.

Kyte

Series B in 2022
Founded in San Francisco in 2019 by Francesco Wiedemann, Ludwig Schoenack, and Nikolaus Volk, Kyte is a technology and operations company specializing in on-demand car rentals. Customers can access vehicles for durations ranging from days to months, with services including car cleaning and refueling.

Engage Bio

Seed Round in 2022
Engage Bio is developing mRNA treatments that change cancer cells into production facilities for immunotherapies. With the help of these treatments, the immune system is activated and directed toward the tumour.

Synvivia

Venture Round in 2021
Synvivia, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2016 and based in Berkeley, California. The company specializes in developing synthetic biology products, particularly ON-OFF switches for genetically engineered organisms. These protein switches are regulated by small molecules, allowing for precise control of biological functions within the organisms. Synvivia's innovations enable the creation of engineered organisms that can be utilized in healthcare, specifically for diagnosing diseases and enhancing treatment options. Additionally, the company is focused on generating biosensors to identify and improve enzymatic activities, thereby facilitating more effective disease management.

Calyx

Series A in 2021
Calyx develops advanced sensor platforms that monitor various parameters in poultry farming with exceptional specificity and sensitivity. The company combines AI computer vision technology, bio-engineered sensors, and data science to address complex challenges in the poultry industry.

Selva Therapeutics

Series A in 2020
Selva Therapeutics is a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics for infectious diseases. Its lead candidate, SLV213, is an orally available small-molecule antiviral with activity against a broad range of threats to global health, including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Nipah, and the parasite that causes Chagas disease; the program contemplates use as a single oral agent or in combination with direct-acting antivirals. The company aims to advance therapies that address both viral and parasitic infections. Established in 2017, Selva Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Catena Biosciences

Catena Biosciences specializes in biotechnology, offering protein conjugation services for building biological structures and facilitating medical research. Its proprietary technology enables the attachment of proteins with high selectivity, supporting innovation in autoimmune disorders, oncology, and vaccine development.
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