Embark Ventures

Embark Ventures, established in 2017 and based in Santa Monica, California, is an early-stage venture capital firm. It invests in pre-seed and seed-stage "deep tech" companies, focusing on innovative teams with proprietary technology that can disrupt multi-billion dollar industries. The firm typically allocates USD 0.1 to 2 million per investment, targeting software, bio-healthcare, material science, robotics-automation, semiconductor, and manufacturing sectors in the United States and Canada.

Isharna Walsh

Investor

36 past transactions

Elemind

Seed Round in 2024
Elemind Technologies is a neurotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing wearable devices that utilize innovative neuromodulation techniques to process and compute brainwave activity. By precisely timing audio output, Elemind's technology aims to shape brainwaves and alter brain states, enabling users to enhance attention and improve sleep. Through its cutting-edge approach, Elemind seeks to advance the understanding and manipulation of brain functions for better cognitive health and performance.

Izote Biosciences

Pre Seed Round in 2024
Opeator of a fermentation technology company intended to improve the economics of industrial fermentation. The company develops an anaerobic process that facilitates a more straightforward, more productive fermentation design, its system includes highly predictable performance scaling, the ability to extend fermentation runs for days, and the use of low-cost bioreactors, enabling industries to improve performance and process robustness.

Machina Labs

Series B in 2023
Machina Labs is a mechanical and industrial engineering and manufacturing firm that focuses on automating metal forming and fabrication processes through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company employs advanced robotics and AI technologies to streamline manufacturing, allowing for quicker and more cost-effective production of ideas. Machina Labs specializes in creating innovative methods that simplify machinery requirements, catering to a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and defense. By reducing the need for expensive tooling and setup, the company enables these industries to enhance efficiency and drive innovation in their manufacturing processes.

CellFE

Series A in 2023
CellFE Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Carlos, California, established in 2017. It specializes in the development of a microfluidics-based device designed to deliver gene-editing molecules into human cells. This innovative platform enhances the manufacturing and development of cell therapies by utilizing rapid cell compression techniques that facilitate the uptake of therapeutic molecules from surrounding fluids. By enabling the transport of hard-to-deliver molecules, CellFE aims to improve the effectiveness of treatments for various disorders, supporting medical researchers in their efforts to advance patient care and outcomes.

SafeAI

Series B in 2022
SafeAI, Inc., also known as Saif, is a technology company based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in retrofitting heavy equipment for autonomous applications primarily within the mining and construction industries. SafeAI develops a software as a service platform that enhances equipment utilization and task optimization while facilitating fleet management systems. Its autonomous technology allows equipment owners to convert their existing machinery into self-operating robotic assets, thereby improving safety by minimizing human presence in hazardous environments. The company's solutions control command and fleet operations of integrated autonomous vehicles, utilizing a user-friendly interface that can be adapted across different pieces of equipment.

Breeze Intelligence

Seed Round in 2022
Breeze Intelligence specializes in artificial intelligence governance, providing a platform that ensures AI systems operate ethically, transparently, and in compliance with relevant regulations and organizational policies. The platform continuously monitors AI workflows, identifying and mitigating biases in models and datasets. This proactive approach enables organizations to reduce legal, reputational, and financial risks associated with the deployment of cognitive computing technologies. Additionally, Breeze Intelligence offers a suite of products built on a unified infrastructure, facilitating the rapid productization of machine learning tools and optimizing the use of cloud resources for various customers.

Rugged Robotics

Series A in 2022
Rugged Robotics Inc. is a Houston-based company founded in 2018 that specializes in developing robotic platforms tailored for the commercial construction industry. The company focuses on intelligent automation technologies designed to enhance productivity and efficiency on construction sites. One of its key products, the Mark I, marks architectural and engineering designs directly onto concrete floors, thereby assisting construction workers with precise layout tasks. This robotic solution not only replaces traditional manual methods, which are often slow and prone to errors, but also offers a layout-as-a-service model, enabling contractors to access these technologies without significant upfront investment. Through its innovative hardware-enabled solutions, Rugged Robotics addresses specific challenges within the construction sector, ultimately saving time and reducing costs for contractors.

Parallel Systems

Series A in 2022
Parallel Systems is a company that specializes in designing autonomous, zero-emissions freight transportation systems. Founded in 2020 and based in Los Angeles, California, the company aims to revolutionize freight transport by creating solutions that are fast, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. By focusing on reducing highway congestion, Parallel Systems seeks to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Kula Bio

Series A in 2022
Kula Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing sustainable solutions for modern agriculture. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company specializes in biofertilizers that harness nitrogen-fixing microbes energized by renewable energy sources. This innovative approach allows Kula Bio to produce organic nitrogen fertilizers that aim to replace traditional synthetic fertilizers, promoting both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. By enhancing natural microbial processes, Kula Bio’s products enable farmers to improve crop yields while prioritizing sustainability and eco-friendliness in farming practices.

Machina Labs

Series A in 2021
Machina Labs is a mechanical and industrial engineering and manufacturing firm that focuses on automating metal forming and fabrication processes through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company employs advanced robotics and AI technologies to streamline manufacturing, allowing for quicker and more cost-effective production of ideas. Machina Labs specializes in creating innovative methods that simplify machinery requirements, catering to a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and defense. By reducing the need for expensive tooling and setup, the company enables these industries to enhance efficiency and drive innovation in their manufacturing processes.

Via Separations

Series B in 2021
Via Separations, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing membrane-based products for the separation of industrial liquids, aimed at enhancing efficiency in challenging industrial environments. Founded in 2016 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on industrial decarbonization through innovative chemistries that significantly reduce energy consumption in manufacturing processes. Via's technology allows facilities to cut energy usage by 90% during chemical separation, replacing traditional heat-based methods with a highly selective and robust membrane filtration system. This advancement not only helps to minimize the environmental impact of industrial processes, but it also creates additional revenue opportunities for customers. Currently, Via is conducting pilot trials at pulp and paper facilities with the goal of eliminating 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2050. The company has successfully scaled its technology and demonstrated working prototypes at a commercial level, having emerged from MIT's Department of Material Science & Engineering.

Attivare Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2021
Attivare Therapeutics is focused on developing innovative biomaterial vaccines and immuno-therapeutics aimed at treating tumors characterized by low immunogenicity. The company's technology creates a unique physical microenvironment within the body that concentrates immune cells, while also delivering immunomodulatory agents to these cells. This approach is designed to effectively reprogram the immune response and overcome tolerance to cancer antigens. By enabling research scientists to develop bioactive components, Attivare Therapeutics seeks to significantly enhance both the magnitude and durability of immune responses in patients, thereby advancing the field of cancer immunotherapy.

inVia Robotics

Series C in 2021
inVia Robotics LLC, based in Agoura Hills, California, specializes in developing automation solutions for warehouses, focusing on inventory management and order fulfillment. The company's primary product is the inVia Dynamic Automated Storage and Retrieval System, designed to streamline ground-to-pick operations for e-commerce retailers and logistics providers. This system employs robotics management software to efficiently retrieve items from shelves and deliver them to pack stations or shipping areas, enhancing fulfillment efficiency and productivity within warehouses.

SafeAI

Series A in 2021
SafeAI, Inc., also known as Saif, is a technology company based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in retrofitting heavy equipment for autonomous applications primarily within the mining and construction industries. SafeAI develops a software as a service platform that enhances equipment utilization and task optimization while facilitating fleet management systems. Its autonomous technology allows equipment owners to convert their existing machinery into self-operating robotic assets, thereby improving safety by minimizing human presence in hazardous environments. The company's solutions control command and fleet operations of integrated autonomous vehicles, utilizing a user-friendly interface that can be adapted across different pieces of equipment.

Kula Bio

Seed Round in 2021
Kula Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing sustainable solutions for modern agriculture. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company specializes in biofertilizers that harness nitrogen-fixing microbes energized by renewable energy sources. This innovative approach allows Kula Bio to produce organic nitrogen fertilizers that aim to replace traditional synthetic fertilizers, promoting both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. By enhancing natural microbial processes, Kula Bio’s products enable farmers to improve crop yields while prioritizing sustainability and eco-friendliness in farming practices.

Optimal Dynamics

Series A in 2021
Optimal Dynamics is a software company that develops artificial intelligence-based tools for freight and logistics optimization. Its platform automates load search and carrier matching and provides load recommendations through applications such as SMART-TL. Founded in 2016 and rooted in Princeton University research, the company applies continual learning to the supply chain, offering strategic analysis, plans for uncertainty, and dynamic planning to automate and optimize operations and improve productivity in the logistics sector.

QSimulate

Seed Round in 2021
QSimulate is a Boston-based company that specializes in developing cloud-based quantitative simulation tools focused on quantum molecular simulations. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, QSimulate aims to address significant industrial-scale challenges primarily within the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Its innovative platform automates various workflows, allowing computational scientists to shift their focus from repetitive tasks to more strategic activities, ultimately enhancing productivity. This approach enables clients to accelerate their research and development processes, positioning QSimulate as a key player in advancing scientific inquiry and innovation in these industries.

Jiko

Series A in 2020
Jiko is a technology-driven financial institution that offers a unique debit card service, Jiko Solid, which enables users to track and manage their expenses securely, both online and offline. The company provides cashback on every transaction, single-use virtual cards, and allows users to invest their money in safe assets like US Treasury bills, all with no minimum balance requirements. Jiko operates through a user-friendly mobile application and is headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in New York City and Reykjavik. As a vertically integrated financial institution, Jiko combines a nationally chartered bank and a registered broker-dealer to hold cash as T-bills, ensuring safety and yield for its users.

Syntiant

Series C in 2020
Syntiant specializes in developing neuromorphic semiconductors that bring artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities directly to edge devices, reducing reliance on cloud-based processing. The company's advanced chip solutions combine deep learning with semiconductor design to create ultra-low-power, high-performance processors for deep neural networks. These processors are ideal for always-on applications in battery-powered devices such as smartphones, smart speakers, earbuds, hearing aids, and laptops, enabling the development of AI technology for sensor, voice, and video applications across a wide range of products.

Optimal Dynamics

Seed Round in 2020
Optimal Dynamics is a software company that develops artificial intelligence-based tools for freight and logistics optimization. Its platform automates load search and carrier matching and provides load recommendations through applications such as SMART-TL. Founded in 2016 and rooted in Princeton University research, the company applies continual learning to the supply chain, offering strategic analysis, plans for uncertainty, and dynamic planning to automate and optimize operations and improve productivity in the logistics sector.

Parallel Systems

Seed Round in 2020
Parallel Systems is a company that specializes in designing autonomous, zero-emissions freight transportation systems. Founded in 2020 and based in Los Angeles, California, the company aims to revolutionize freight transport by creating solutions that are fast, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. By focusing on reducing highway congestion, Parallel Systems seeks to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Kebotix

Series A in 2020
Kebotix, Inc. is a company focused on revolutionizing the materials discovery and production industry through the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic automation. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kebotix has developed a platform that significantly accelerates the research and development process, condensing it from years into mere months. This innovative approach enables scientists and researchers to discover new chemicals and materials, enhancing public health and sustainability while promoting green chemistry solutions that reduce hazardous substance production. The company provides its partners with access to advanced digital research and development tools, facilitating materials innovation and the creation of formulations tailored to specific desired properties.

Machina Labs

Seed Round in 2020
Machina Labs is a mechanical and industrial engineering and manufacturing firm that focuses on automating metal forming and fabrication processes through the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company employs advanced robotics and AI technologies to streamline manufacturing, allowing for quicker and more cost-effective production of ideas. Machina Labs specializes in creating innovative methods that simplify machinery requirements, catering to a diverse range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and defense. By reducing the need for expensive tooling and setup, the company enables these industries to enhance efficiency and drive innovation in their manufacturing processes.

CellFE

Seed Round in 2020
CellFE Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Carlos, California, established in 2017. It specializes in the development of a microfluidics-based device designed to deliver gene-editing molecules into human cells. This innovative platform enhances the manufacturing and development of cell therapies by utilizing rapid cell compression techniques that facilitate the uptake of therapeutic molecules from surrounding fluids. By enabling the transport of hard-to-deliver molecules, CellFE aims to improve the effectiveness of treatments for various disorders, supporting medical researchers in their efforts to advance patient care and outcomes.

QSimulate

Pre Seed Round in 2019
QSimulate is a Boston-based company that specializes in developing cloud-based quantitative simulation tools focused on quantum molecular simulations. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, QSimulate aims to address significant industrial-scale challenges primarily within the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. Its innovative platform automates various workflows, allowing computational scientists to shift their focus from repetitive tasks to more strategic activities, ultimately enhancing productivity. This approach enables clients to accelerate their research and development processes, positioning QSimulate as a key player in advancing scientific inquiry and innovation in these industries.

Kula Bio

Venture Round in 2019
Kula Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on developing sustainable solutions for modern agriculture. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company specializes in biofertilizers that harness nitrogen-fixing microbes energized by renewable energy sources. This innovative approach allows Kula Bio to produce organic nitrogen fertilizers that aim to replace traditional synthetic fertilizers, promoting both agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship. By enhancing natural microbial processes, Kula Bio’s products enable farmers to improve crop yields while prioritizing sustainability and eco-friendliness in farming practices.

SafeAI

Seed Round in 2019
SafeAI, Inc., also known as Saif, is a technology company based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2017. It specializes in retrofitting heavy equipment for autonomous applications primarily within the mining and construction industries. SafeAI develops a software as a service platform that enhances equipment utilization and task optimization while facilitating fleet management systems. Its autonomous technology allows equipment owners to convert their existing machinery into self-operating robotic assets, thereby improving safety by minimizing human presence in hazardous environments. The company's solutions control command and fleet operations of integrated autonomous vehicles, utilizing a user-friendly interface that can be adapted across different pieces of equipment.

Via Separations

Series A in 2019
Via Separations, Inc. is a company that specializes in developing membrane-based products for the separation of industrial liquids, aimed at enhancing efficiency in challenging industrial environments. Founded in 2016 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on industrial decarbonization through innovative chemistries that significantly reduce energy consumption in manufacturing processes. Via's technology allows facilities to cut energy usage by 90% during chemical separation, replacing traditional heat-based methods with a highly selective and robust membrane filtration system. This advancement not only helps to minimize the environmental impact of industrial processes, but it also creates additional revenue opportunities for customers. Currently, Via is conducting pilot trials at pulp and paper facilities with the goal of eliminating 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2050. The company has successfully scaled its technology and demonstrated working prototypes at a commercial level, having emerged from MIT's Department of Material Science & Engineering.

K2 Cyber Security

Seed Round in 2019
K2 Cyber Security, Inc. is a developer of enterprise security software focused on protecting hybrid cloud infrastructure. Incorporated in 2017 and based in San Jose, California, the company offers advanced solutions like K2 Prevent and K2 Segment. K2 Prevent safeguards against infiltration by securing workloads and software, while K2 Segment is designed to halt lateral movement of threats within the same platform. Key features include deterministic prevention, real-time detection, dynamic micro segmentation, and complete visibility, ensuring robust defense against cyberattacks, especially on unpatched applications and infrastructures. The K2 platform employs control flow integrity technology to detect and prevent exploits in real time, significantly reducing false positives. This comprehensive approach enables organizations to achieve effective runtime protection for web applications, container workloads, and hybrid environments, enhancing their overall security posture against emerging threats.

Syntiant

Series B in 2018
Syntiant specializes in developing neuromorphic semiconductors that bring artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities directly to edge devices, reducing reliance on cloud-based processing. The company's advanced chip solutions combine deep learning with semiconductor design to create ultra-low-power, high-performance processors for deep neural networks. These processors are ideal for always-on applications in battery-powered devices such as smartphones, smart speakers, earbuds, hearing aids, and laptops, enabling the development of AI technology for sensor, voice, and video applications across a wide range of products.

Kebotix

Seed Round in 2018
Kebotix, Inc. is a company focused on revolutionizing the materials discovery and production industry through the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic automation. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kebotix has developed a platform that significantly accelerates the research and development process, condensing it from years into mere months. This innovative approach enables scientists and researchers to discover new chemicals and materials, enhancing public health and sustainability while promoting green chemistry solutions that reduce hazardous substance production. The company provides its partners with access to advanced digital research and development tools, facilitating materials innovation and the creation of formulations tailored to specific desired properties.

inVia Robotics

Series B in 2018
inVia Robotics LLC, based in Agoura Hills, California, specializes in developing automation solutions for warehouses, focusing on inventory management and order fulfillment. The company's primary product is the inVia Dynamic Automated Storage and Retrieval System, designed to streamline ground-to-pick operations for e-commerce retailers and logistics providers. This system employs robotics management software to efficiently retrieve items from shelves and deliver them to pack stations or shipping areas, enhancing fulfillment efficiency and productivity within warehouses.

Syntiant

Series A in 2018
Syntiant specializes in developing neuromorphic semiconductors that bring artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities directly to edge devices, reducing reliance on cloud-based processing. The company's advanced chip solutions combine deep learning with semiconductor design to create ultra-low-power, high-performance processors for deep neural networks. These processors are ideal for always-on applications in battery-powered devices such as smartphones, smart speakers, earbuds, hearing aids, and laptops, enabling the development of AI technology for sensor, voice, and video applications across a wide range of products.

SeqOnce Biosciences

Seed Round in 2018
SeqOnce Biosciences is a biotechnology company established in 2014, emerging from the University of Southern California. It focuses on accelerating discoveries in life sciences to enhance the human condition, encompassing applications such as pathogen detection and disease-related biomarker identification. The company specializes in developing genomic sequencing preparation kits aimed at qualitative multi-plex in-vitro assessment of various microbiota, particularly those related to sexually transmitted infections. Utilizing advanced techniques like real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing, SeqOnce aims to deliver faster and more accurate results through innovative technologies. With a team led by experts in molecular biology, technology development, finance, and operations, SeqOnce is rapidly expanding its portfolio across genomics, food safety, and pathogen detection, striving to provide cost-effective solutions for clinical researchers.

Jiko

Seed Round in 2017
Jiko is a technology-driven financial institution that offers a unique debit card service, Jiko Solid, which enables users to track and manage their expenses securely, both online and offline. The company provides cashback on every transaction, single-use virtual cards, and allows users to invest their money in safe assets like US Treasury bills, all with no minimum balance requirements. Jiko operates through a user-friendly mobile application and is headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in New York City and Reykjavik. As a vertically integrated financial institution, Jiko combines a nationally chartered bank and a registered broker-dealer to hold cash as T-bills, ensuring safety and yield for its users.

inVia Robotics

Series A in 2017
inVia Robotics LLC, based in Agoura Hills, California, specializes in developing automation solutions for warehouses, focusing on inventory management and order fulfillment. The company's primary product is the inVia Dynamic Automated Storage and Retrieval System, designed to streamline ground-to-pick operations for e-commerce retailers and logistics providers. This system employs robotics management software to efficiently retrieve items from shelves and deliver them to pack stations or shipping areas, enhancing fulfillment efficiency and productivity within warehouses.
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