Serra Ventures

Serra Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Champaign, Illinois, that invests in technology companies across the United States and select international locations. The firm concentrates on early-stage and growth opportunities in information technology, deep technology, instrumentation, software as a service, devices, B2B, and agricultural technologies, with a focus on the Midwest and West Coast regions. Serra Ventures supports portfolio companies through strategic guidance, networks, and resources to help scale technology-enabled businesses.

Dennis Beard

Managing Partner

Drew Beard

Associate

Steve Beck

Managing Partner

Timothy Hoerr

Managing Partner

Karin O'Connor

Venture Partner

Robert Schultz

Managing Partner

Past deals in Nanotechnology

Inprentus

Series A in 2018
Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

Nanomed

Venture Round in 2017
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Inprentus

Series A in 2017
Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

Nanomed

Venture Round in 2017
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Nanomed

Venture Round in 2016
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Inprentus

Venture Round in 2016
Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

Nanomed

Venture Round in 2016
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Phi Optics

Venture Round in 2016
Phi Optics Inc. develops optical imaging systems for life sciences, medical diagnostics, nanotechnology, and semiconductor testing applications. It offers Quantitative Phase Imaging, a label-free, non-contact, and non-invasive imaging method for measuring nanoscale structures and dynamics via interferometry. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Champaign, Illinois.

Nanomed

Convertible Note in 2016
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Inprentus

Seed Round in 2015
Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

Nanomed

Series A in 2015
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Nanomed

Venture Round in 2015
Nanomed is a provider of graphene biosensor products used in life science research, drug discovery, and diagnostics, and health-monitoring. They provide fast and affordable tools for small molecule drug discovery. They have developed a breakthrough electrical assay based on proprietary Field Effect Biosensing (FEB) technology that detects molecular interactions. This technology employs a unique graphene biosensor to enable label-free, highly sensitive binding studies of small molecules to proteins. With a wide dynamic range, small sample requirements, and minimal signal contributions from common solvents and detergents, their technology complements existing technology and accelerates small molecule drug discovery. As the world’s leading mass-manufacturer of next-generation graphene biosensors, their mission is to transform the healthcare industry with innovative new products that accelerate cutting-edge life science and drug discovery research. It was founded in 2013 and is based in San Diego, California.

Inprentus

Seed Round in 2015
Inprentus, Inc. is a nanotechnology company based in Champaign, Illinois, specializing in the design and manufacture of ultra-high precision diffraction gratings. Founded in 2012, the company produces X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) gratings that are utilized in synchrotron radiation facilities for applications in chemical analysis, imaging, and various research sectors, including photovoltaics, catalysis, and structural biology. Inprentus has developed an innovative manufacturing method for mechanically ruled blazed diffraction gratings, achieving high resolving power with minimal blaze angles. Their products serve a wide range of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, optical data communication, and advanced laser applications, enabling enhanced capabilities in spectrometers, monochromators, and laser instrumentation.

Phi Optics

Seed Round in 2013
Phi Optics Inc. develops optical imaging systems for life sciences, medical diagnostics, nanotechnology, and semiconductor testing applications. It offers Quantitative Phase Imaging, a label-free, non-contact, and non-invasive imaging method for measuring nanoscale structures and dynamics via interferometry. The company was founded in 2009 and is based in Champaign, Illinois.

ANDalyze

Series B in 2013
ANDalyze, Inc. is a company based in Champaign, Illinois, that specializes in developing innovative products for testing water contamination through catalytic DNA technologies. The company's offerings include the AND1100 Fluorimeter, a portable device designed for the rapid testing of heavy metals in water supplies, along with fluorescence-based sensors and kits. These products enable simple, fast, and cost-effective detection of trace metals and other chemicals, significantly reducing the time and expense associated with traditional testing methods. ANDalyze distributes its products both in the United States and internationally, providing solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of water quality testing. Formerly known as Dzyme Tech, the company rebranded to ANDalyze, Inc. in October 2009 and has been operational since its incorporation in 2005.
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.