Hemi Ventures

Hemi Ventures, founded in 2016 and based in Palo Alto, California, is a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage startups in emerging technology sectors such as autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. The firm aims to partner with entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions that enhance human potential. Hemi Ventures not only provides capital but also assists founders in building essential relationships with industry partners and customers, fostering strong ecosystems for growth. The name "Hemi," meaning "half" in Greek, reflects the firm's role as a complementary partner to its founders in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Amy Gu

Founder and Managing Partner

31 past transactions

Novauto

Series A in 2020
Novauto specializes in energy-efficient computing technology for autonomous vehicles, focusing on enhancing intelligent driving experiences. The company develops advanced computing chips that support artificial intelligence processing and multi-modal capabilities. By creating integrated software and hardware solutions, Novauto enables compatibility across various operating systems and platforms. This approach allows intelligent vehicle manufacturers to streamline their development processes and reduce costs, ultimately contributing to the advancement of autonomous driving technology.

Alcatraz AI

Venture Round in 2020
Alcatraz AI, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in developing facial authentication systems aimed at enhancing physical access security for enterprises and government buildings. Founded in 2016 and based in Redwood City, California, the company utilizes machine learning, computer vision, and 3D sensing to create a platform that replaces traditional badging methods with advanced facial recognition technology. This system employs real-time 3D facial mapping and deep neural networks to facilitate secure and seamless entry, automatically enrolling individuals based on existing access control measures. The solution combines specialized software with a hardware device equipped with sensors, positioned next to locked doors, to identify individuals as they approach and grant entry. Alcatraz AI also offers features such as tailgating alerts and analytics to further enhance security measures.

Phase Genomics

Venture Round in 2020
Phase Genomics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2015. The company specializes in developing innovative technology for genome assembly and metagenome deconvolution, focusing on its ProxiMeta Hi-C platform. This platform empowers researchers in various fields, including agriculture, human health, and industrial biology, by enabling the cultivation-independent assembly of bacterial genomes. By exploiting the structure of DNA, Phase Genomics aims to provide scientists with the most complete and accurate genomes and metagenomes possible, facilitating transformative discoveries and advancements in their respective areas of study.

Ravel Biotechnology

Venture Round in 2020
Ravel Biotechnology is a San Francisco-based company that has developed an analytic technology platform for early disease detection using cell-free DNA. Founded in 2018 by Erik Gafni and Nathan Boley, the platform facilitates the rapid development and validation of screening tests for various diseases from a single analyte, allowing healthcare professionals to perform multiple disease screenings from a single blood draw. This innovative approach aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disease detection, making it a significant advancement in the field of medical diagnostics.

X-37

Series A in 2019
X-37, LLC is a pharmaceutical discovery and development company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2018. The company specializes in addressing cancer, autoimmune diseases, and coagulation disorders. Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence technology from Atomwise, Inc., X-37 focuses on discovering novel drug candidates by screening extensive libraries of chemical compounds against significant pharmaceutical targets. This innovative approach aims to expedite the discovery and development of medicines, ultimately benefiting the healthcare sector and improving patient outcomes.

Smart Radar System

Series A in 2019
Smart Radar System is a technology company specializing in radar vision solutions for automotive and industrial applications. Founded in 2017 and based in Seongnam-si, South Korea, the company has developed innovative products such as RETINA, a 4D image radar that offers high precision in distance and velocity measurement, and IRISv, a corner radar module designed to provide a 360-degree view of surrounding objects using multiple radar units. Other offerings include the RM68-01 industrial radar evaluation kit for high-performance applications, as well as additional components like Carrier Boards and Radar PC Software for enhanced functionality and control. Smart Radar System focuses on various applications, including autonomous vehicles, industrial monitoring, people counting, and vital sign detection, positioning itself as a leader in the radar technology sector.

metaMe Health

Seed Round in 2019
MetaMe Health is focused on developing digital therapeutics specifically for gastrointestinal disorders, with a primary emphasis on its product, Regulora™ for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This innovative therapy aims to be the first FDA-cleared prescription-only digital treatment for IBS, a condition affecting over 30 million Americans. Regulora™ leverages a standardized Brain-Gut therapy approach, which has demonstrated clinical effectiveness in alleviating IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. The platform connects IBS patients with therapists, facilitating live video sessions and enabling the tracking of patient progress while managing scheduling and billing. Through these features, MetaMe Health aims to provide significant relief for patients and help reduce the severity of their symptoms.

Tensorflight

Series A in 2019
Tensorflight is a provider of commercial property data, leveraging machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision to deliver accurate and timely insights. The company's platform analyzes images of buildings to create a comprehensive database that includes information such as building footprints, square footage, replacement costs, number of stories, construction types, and roof attributes. This detailed property intelligence optimizes the underwriting and claims processes for insurance companies by utilizing aerial imagery and other data sources to enhance risk assessment and premium pricing. Tensorflight's technology aims to streamline property investigations, providing actionable insights for better portfolio management.

NAVAN Technologies

Seed Round in 2019
NAVAN Technologies, Inc. is a pre-clinical stage biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. The company focuses on developing and commercializing its proprietary NanoStraw platform technology, which facilitates direct access to the cytosol of cells. This innovative technology addresses a significant challenge in the field of cell and gene therapies by enabling the efficient and gentle delivery of various materials into difficult-to-transfect cells. Through its NanoStraw platform, NAVAN aims to enhance the capabilities of researchers in their efforts to advance therapeutic solutions.

Skymind

Series A in 2019
Pathmind, Inc. is a technology company based in Alameda, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that integrates with simulation software, particularly AnyLogic, to enhance decision-making in industrial operations and supply chains. The platform employs deep reinforcement learning to help users create AI-ready simulation models, train these models using cloud computing resources, and deploy them effectively in real-world applications. Pathmind's offerings include three main components: Pathmind Helper, which assists users in building AI models; Pathmind Training, a web application for training these models; and Pathmind Serving, which facilitates the deployment of trained AI solutions. The company's technology finds applications in various sectors, including manufacturing automation, supply chain management, warehouse control, machine scheduling, and fleet routing, enabling organizations to optimize their operations through advanced AI-driven insights.

Skymind

Series A in 2019
Pathmind, Inc. is a technology company based in Alameda, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that integrates with simulation software, particularly AnyLogic, to enhance decision-making in industrial operations and supply chains. The platform employs deep reinforcement learning to help users create AI-ready simulation models, train these models using cloud computing resources, and deploy them effectively in real-world applications. Pathmind's offerings include three main components: Pathmind Helper, which assists users in building AI models; Pathmind Training, a web application for training these models; and Pathmind Serving, which facilitates the deployment of trained AI solutions. The company's technology finds applications in various sectors, including manufacturing automation, supply chain management, warehouse control, machine scheduling, and fleet routing, enabling organizations to optimize their operations through advanced AI-driven insights.

Heroic-Faith Medical Science

Seed Round in 2019
We focus on developing a medical device with AI continuous breathing sound monitoring. Since our establishment, we have clearly set the mission of "Saving Lives Through Innovation", to assist medical personnel with the latest and best artificial intelligence technology. The sound changes are converted into visual graphics to provide medical personnel with a dual diagnosis of hearing and vision. We have been approved by the FDA & TFDA and continue to work closely with many medical centers and clinical laboratories in Taiwan and the United States. Through cooperation with major medical centers in Taiwan, We have collected millions of breath sound data, invited professional doctors and RTs to annotate them, and ensure the overall quality. We target non-intubated sedation market, and deploy our product to dentistry, plastic surgery, cath room, ERCP, vertebroplasty, gynochology, ambulance and so on.

Mendo

Seed Round in 2019
Mendo provides highly complex liquid-handling in a portable, low-cost, and programmable electrofluidic device. The company utilizes the liquid-handling technology to condense and consolidate the manual and infrastructure-intensive aspects of the next-generation sequencing workflow in an automated handheld device, thereby enabling clients to construct programmable fluidic circuits that can autonomously execute arbitrarily complex liquid handling steps.

Nebula Genomics

Series A in 2018
Nebula Genomics is a company that focuses on human genome sequencing and health data, aiming to create a comprehensive online marketplace for genomic information. Founded in 2016 by Harvard genomics pioneer George Church and his colleagues, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts. Nebula Genomics utilizes blockchain technology to empower consumers by allowing them to maintain control over their genomic data and receive compensation for its use. The platform aggregates extensive genetic information, enabling researchers to analyze data for accelerated drug development and personalized medicine. The company’s DNA sequencing technology covers all genes, regulatory regions, the Y chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA, facilitating in-depth genetic analysis and variant exploration.

Upfort

Seed Round in 2018
Upfort is a cybersecurity and insurance platform that delivers comprehensive protection for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against evolving cyber threats. The platform integrates various services, allowing organizations to manage their cybersecurity needs effectively. Upfort's software includes tools for phishing simulation, public Wi-Fi protection, inbox protection, and password management, alongside offering cyber liability insurance. This all-in-one solution enables clients to safeguard their business activities and address potential risks in today’s digital landscape.

Apprentice.io

Series A in 2018
Apprentice FS, Inc. offers an industrial augmented reality platform tailored for research and development, as well as manufacturing sectors, particularly within the life sciences. Founded in 2014 and based in Jersey City, New Jersey, the company provides an intelligent manufacturing execution system that incorporates artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies. Its platform features modules such as Tandem, Manuals, and BioCapture, which are compatible with various smart glasses and facilitate hands-free operation in laboratory and manufacturing environments. This system allows users to record data, manage batch records, and oversee assays and procedures while ensuring critical information is readily available, thereby minimizing process deviations. Apprentice serves a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, chemicals, consumer goods, and cosmetics, aiming to enhance efficiency and speed in drug production and other processes.

Ample

Series A in 2018
Ample, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in electric battery stations and offers innovative battery swap solutions for electric vehicles. Founded in 2014, Ample operates within the smart energy sector, focusing on enhancing energy delivery for electric transportation. The company employs autonomous robotics and advanced battery technology to facilitate efficient energy exchange. Ample's unique battery system utilizes smaller, interchangeable battery modules, allowing compatibility with a diverse range of vehicles. This approach aims to streamline the charging process, making electric vehicle use more accessible and convenient for consumers.

Scotty Labs

Seed Round in 2018
Scotty Labs, Inc. is a technology company based in Menlo Park, California, that focuses on remote control of self-driving cars through its tele-operations platform. Incorporated in 2017, the company originated as a spin-out from SRI International. Scotty Labs aims to enhance the driving experience by allowing humans to virtually control vehicles in complex environments, addressing the challenges that fully autonomous vehicles face. The company's approach emphasizes a human-centric autonomy model, asserting that safe tele-operation can be more effective than complete vehicle autonomy. By integrating human oversight with advanced technology, Scotty Labs seeks to improve efficiency in industries like trucking, maximizing revenue while reducing operational costs. As of August 2019, Scotty Labs operates as a subsidiary of DoorDash, Inc.

Melo

Seed Round in 2018
Melo.ai is developing innovative technology to enhance meeting efficiency and productivity. The company's primary product is a smart camera system equipped with a 360-degree view and an array of microphones that can automatically record audio and video of each participant during meetings. This system transcribes conversations in real-time, indexing topics and action items for easy access in the cloud. Users can share meeting content with colleagues or partners who are unable to attend, ensuring that everyone remains informed and connected. The service combines advanced vision and speech technology to deliver a superior user experience. Revenue is generated through an annual fee for hardware rental and a service fee based on the duration of meetings.

Nebula Genomics

Seed Round in 2018
Nebula Genomics is a company that focuses on human genome sequencing and health data, aiming to create a comprehensive online marketplace for genomic information. Founded in 2016 by Harvard genomics pioneer George Church and his colleagues, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Boston, Massachusetts. Nebula Genomics utilizes blockchain technology to empower consumers by allowing them to maintain control over their genomic data and receive compensation for its use. The platform aggregates extensive genetic information, enabling researchers to analyze data for accelerated drug development and personalized medicine. The company’s DNA sequencing technology covers all genes, regulatory regions, the Y chromosome, and mitochondrial DNA, facilitating in-depth genetic analysis and variant exploration.

Tanvas

Series A in 2018
Tanvas, Inc. is a technology company based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on developing Surface Haptics products that enhance touch interactions on screens. Founded in 2011, Tanvas creates innovative touchscreen technology that utilizes electrostatic fields to generate variable friction on glass surfaces. This allows users to feel textures and sensations that correspond to visual content, transforming the way people interact with digital displays. By integrating their TanvasTouch technology into various touch-enabled products, the company caters to diverse industries, including automotive, retail, consumer electronics, and applications for the visually impaired. Tanvas aims to redefine the tactile experience, providing a richer and more immersive interaction with digital environments.

Apprentice.io

Seed Round in 2017
Apprentice FS, Inc. offers an industrial augmented reality platform tailored for research and development, as well as manufacturing sectors, particularly within the life sciences. Founded in 2014 and based in Jersey City, New Jersey, the company provides an intelligent manufacturing execution system that incorporates artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies. Its platform features modules such as Tandem, Manuals, and BioCapture, which are compatible with various smart glasses and facilitate hands-free operation in laboratory and manufacturing environments. This system allows users to record data, manage batch records, and oversee assays and procedures while ensuring critical information is readily available, thereby minimizing process deviations. Apprentice serves a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, chemicals, consumer goods, and cosmetics, aiming to enhance efficiency and speed in drug production and other processes.

Tensorflight

Seed Round in 2017
Tensorflight is a provider of commercial property data, leveraging machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision to deliver accurate and timely insights. The company's platform analyzes images of buildings to create a comprehensive database that includes information such as building footprints, square footage, replacement costs, number of stories, construction types, and roof attributes. This detailed property intelligence optimizes the underwriting and claims processes for insurance companies by utilizing aerial imagery and other data sources to enhance risk assessment and premium pricing. Tensorflight's technology aims to streamline property investigations, providing actionable insights for better portfolio management.

BioAesthetics

Seed Round in 2017
BioAesthetics LLC, founded in 2015 as a spin-out from Tulane University, is focused on developing innovative reconstruction options for breast cancer patients following mastectomies. The company specializes in a tissue-engineered nipple-areolar complex (NAC) that serves as an acellular graft to be used by plastic and reconstructive surgeons during the breast reconstruction phase. This product allows the patient's own cells to integrate with the graft, facilitating the regeneration of a natural nipple and areola. Currently in the pre-clinical phase, this patent-pending technology aims to provide a more effective and aesthetically pleasing solution for patients who have experienced incomplete or removed NACs due to illness, surgery, or congenital conditions. BioAesthetics is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Starsky Robotics

Seed Round in 2017
Starsky Robotics, Inc., founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, California, is focused on developing technology to automate vehicles, particularly in the trucking sector. Recognizing that trucking is essential to the American economy, transporting 70% of all freight, the company aims to enhance safety and efficiency by creating autonomous trucks for highway use, while allowing drivers to remotely control the vehicles for the initial and final segments of delivery. This approach not only seeks to improve road safety but also offers drivers the opportunity to work closer to home, thereby addressing the challenges faced by long-haul truck drivers who often spend extended periods away from their families.

Cypre

Convertible Note in 2017
Cypre, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2016. It focuses on developing innovative 3D in vitro models of the tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance cancer drug discovery. Cypre employs proprietary high-content imaging algorithms and advanced hydrogel technology to provide insights into therapeutic mechanisms for various treatment modalities, including small molecules, antibodies, and cell and gene therapy. The company's platform utilizes patented three-dimensional bioprinting technology combined with methods that assess immunotherapy efficacy, enabling medical institutions to effectively identify therapeutics that can overcome resistance to cancer treatments. Cypre's solutions are particularly relevant in the fields of oncology, immuno-oncology, disease modeling, and stem cell research.

EPINOMICS

Venture Round in 2017
Epinomics Inc. specializes in advancing personalized medicine by leveraging big data analytics and proprietary epigenomics technology. Founded in 2013 and located in Menlo Park, California, the company focuses on decoding the human genome to enhance drug development and clinical applications. By utilizing innovative DNA sequencing technology, Epinomics aims to improve existing methodologies in the field, facilitating deeper scientific research and the development of clinical applications. As of March 31, 2018, Epinomics operates as a subsidiary of 10X Genomics, Inc., furthering its mission to revolutionize healthcare through precision medicine.

Alcatraz AI

Convertible Note in 2016
Alcatraz AI, Inc. is a technology company that specializes in developing facial authentication systems aimed at enhancing physical access security for enterprises and government buildings. Founded in 2016 and based in Redwood City, California, the company utilizes machine learning, computer vision, and 3D sensing to create a platform that replaces traditional badging methods with advanced facial recognition technology. This system employs real-time 3D facial mapping and deep neural networks to facilitate secure and seamless entry, automatically enrolling individuals based on existing access control measures. The solution combines specialized software with a hardware device equipped with sensors, positioned next to locked doors, to identify individuals as they approach and grant entry. Alcatraz AI also offers features such as tailgating alerts and analytics to further enhance security measures.

Skymind

Venture Round in 2016
Pathmind, Inc. is a technology company based in Alameda, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that integrates with simulation software, particularly AnyLogic, to enhance decision-making in industrial operations and supply chains. The platform employs deep reinforcement learning to help users create AI-ready simulation models, train these models using cloud computing resources, and deploy them effectively in real-world applications. Pathmind's offerings include three main components: Pathmind Helper, which assists users in building AI models; Pathmind Training, a web application for training these models; and Pathmind Serving, which facilitates the deployment of trained AI solutions. The company's technology finds applications in various sectors, including manufacturing automation, supply chain management, warehouse control, machine scheduling, and fleet routing, enabling organizations to optimize their operations through advanced AI-driven insights.

Polysync

Seed Round in 2016
Founded in 2013, Polysync Technologies builds solutions to help partners safely accelerate their development, testing, production, and market deployment of driverless vehicle mobility solutions. Automotive engineering services, developers, government agencies, and universities around the world rely on Polysync for autonomous software and vehicle development. Polysync's products are in operation in more than 17 countries, with offices in Portland, OR, Palo Alto, CA, Detroit, MI, and Europe.

Point One Navigation

Seed Round in 2016
Point One Navigation, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that specializes in developing precise location services for autonomous systems such as self-driving vehicles, commercial drones, and robotics. Founded in 2016, the company offers a localization service that achieves accuracy within a few centimeters while being significantly more cost-effective than existing solutions. By integrating Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), inertial sensors, and computer vision technologies through proprietary algorithms, Point One Navigation aims to create high-performance navigation systems suitable for mass-market applications. Its innovative approach enables users to enhance the security and functionality of a variety of autonomous vehicles, including cars, drones, and delivery robots.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.