Luminous Ventures

Luminous Ventures Limited is a venture capital firm established in 2018 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with additional offices in Europe and North America. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on Seed, Seed+, and Series A funding rounds. Luminous Ventures targets companies that are developing frontier technologies and innovative applications in sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, nutrition, food, and agriculture. By investing in these dynamic industries, the firm aims to support and accelerate the growth of businesses that leverage cutting-edge technologies to address contemporary challenges.

Emir Jami

Partner

Thomas Profumo

Investment Director

Nicholas Watkins

Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Board Member

Gary Wyatt

Owner, Principal and Board Member

29 past transactions

Conundrum

Series A in 2022
Conundrum is a prominent provider of industrial AI software focused on enhancing digital transformation within the metal, mining, and steel industries. Its platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to facilitate the development of efficient and cost-effective enterprise-scale industrial AI applications. By employing an open, data-driven architecture, Conundrum simplifies data science and application development, while simultaneously promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact for its clients. The platform incorporates artificial intelligence-powered control services and physics-informed machine learning to optimize industrial processes, enabling clients to improve production yields and decrease energy consumption.

Ellipsis Health

Series A in 2021
Ellipsis Health, Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2013. It specializes in developing analytics solutions that utilize artificial intelligence to enhance behavioral health assessments by analyzing patient speech and clinical data. The company's platform offers a behavioral biomarker technology that generates clinical-grade evaluations of anxiety and depression severity, as well as sub-clinical assessments of stress. This innovative approach allows healthcare systems to continuously monitor their patient populations for mental health conditions, particularly depression, and facilitates timely support for patients in need. By integrating affective computing into patient and care team interactions, Ellipsis Health aims to create real-time behavioral health vital signs for improved patient outcomes.

Treos Bio

Convertible Note in 2021
Treos Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing precision cancer immunotherapies tailored to the genetic profiles of patients. Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, California, the company utilizes proprietary technology and computational data science to predict individual responses to cancer treatments. Its product offerings include PEPI, a test that analyzes genetic data from saliva or blood samples to forecast immune responses, and PolyPEPI immunotherapy vaccines targeting various cancers such as melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Additionally, Treos Bio provides the PolyPEPI CDx companion diagnostic test, which helps determine the effectiveness of treatments for specific patients, allowing for personalized vaccine design. The company also offers a melanoma screening test to identify individuals at high risk for developing the disease based on genetic information.

LGN

Seed Round in 2021
LGN Innovations, Inc. specializes in artificial intelligence-based perception systems that aim to replicate human-level perception in autonomous technologies. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in London and Zagreb, the company develops innovative products such as LGN Auto-Calibrate, which connects AI systems to sensor arrays, and LGN Intelligent Select, which efficiently compresses and filters data. Their technology enhances the resolution and imaging capabilities of various devices, facilitating applications across multiple sectors, including automotive, retail, and satellite industries. By optimizing data capture and processing, LGN's solutions reduce costs and power consumption while promoting high-level autonomy, making advanced AI capabilities accessible to a broader range of industries.

Cytoseek

Seed Round in 2021
Cytoseek Limited, a spinout from the University of Bristol, develops innovative cell therapies aimed at treating cancer, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and diabetic wound healing. Established in 2017 and based in Bristol, the company utilizes a novel cell membrane augmentation technology that enhances the functionality of cell therapies. This technology enables targeted tissue delivery and improves cell survivability, potentially increasing the efficacy of treatments. Cytoseek is currently conducting proof of principle studies to validate its approach and is actively seeking partnerships with other cell therapy companies to advance these therapies into clinical applications, ultimately striving to improve human health.

Magdrive

Seed Round in 2020
Magdrive Limited, founded in 2019 and based in Didcot, United Kingdom, focuses on developing advanced spacecraft propulsion systems specifically for small satellites. The company has created a next-generation plasma thruster technology that merges the high thrust capabilities of chemical rockets with the efficiency of electric thrusters. This innovation allows spacecraft to achieve faster speeds and extend mission durations while minimizing the amount of propellant needed for various maneuvers. By improving fuel efficiency, Magdrive aims to provide satellite operators and manufacturers with a more cost-effective means of accessing space, particularly for missions in Low Earth Orbit.

Biomage

Seed Round in 2020
Biomage is a company that focuses on single-cell analysis to advance life sciences research. It has developed a platform that transforms extensive single-cell sequencing data into meaningful biological insights, enabling researchers to conduct in-depth analyses with ease. This platform specifically caters to the needs of research biologists, facilitating the analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing. By streamlining the data interpretation process, Biomage enhances the potential for drug target discovery while significantly reducing costs. The company aims to empower scientists in both academia and industry, promoting the broader use of advanced sequencing technologies in various biological disciplines.

Kernal Biologics

Venture Round in 2020
Kernal Biologics, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on designing and developing mRNA immunotherapies for diseases such as COVID-19 and cancer. Founded in 2016, the company utilizes its mRNA platform to enable specific cells to produce their own therapeutic agents. Kernal's innovative approach has garnered recognition, including awards from notable organizations like Amgen and NASA. The team behind Kernal Biologics has strong ties to prestigious institutions such as MIT and Harvard, along with extensive experience in the biotech sector, which underpins their expertise in the mRNA field.

Phenomic AI

Seed Round in 2020
Phenomic AI Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Toronto, Canada, founded in 2017. The company specializes in developing artificial intelligence solutions to enhance drug discovery and the creation of therapies for cancer. Its innovative platform utilizes AI, computer vision, and high-content screening to analyze phenotypes in complex disease models, such as high-content co-culture and three-dimensional assays. By focusing on the tumor stroma, Phenomic AI aims to optimize the discovery and development of new medicines, streamlining the process for pharmaceutical companies to identify potential drug candidates more effectively.

Climax Foods

Seed Round in 2020
Climax Foods Inc. is a Berkeley, California-based company that specializes in producing plant-based foods using advanced artificial intelligence technology. Incorporated in 2019, the company employs data science, machine learning, and simulation frameworks to innovate and accelerate food development processes. By focusing on experimentation, Climax Foods rapidly creates dairy alternatives that are optimized for taste, texture, nutrition, and cost. This technology enables clients to manufacture plant-based products that can effectively compete with traditional animal-based foods, aiming to transform the global food production system.

Universal Quantum

Seed Round in 2020
Universal Quantum Ltd, established in 2018 and located in the United Kingdom, focuses on developing advanced qubit quantum computers aimed at addressing complex real-world challenges. The company employs silicon-based technology, which utilizes voltages applied to microchips and ultrafast electric field links to create a scalable architecture for qubits. This innovative approach allows Universal Quantum to provide clients with high computational power at a reduced cost, significantly outperforming today’s fastest supercomputers for certain calculations.

Temporall

Seed Round in 2020
Temporall is a developer of a workplace intelligence platform that leverages artificial intelligence and analytics to enhance organizational effectiveness. The platform integrates and analyzes fragmented data from various sources within a company, providing leadership teams with critical performance insights. By employing machine learning techniques, Temporall enables organizations to receive expert recommendations and detailed reporting, ultimately guiding clients in optimizing their performance. The company's focus is on merging advanced technology with human expertise to address the strategic needs of its clients.

Oxford VR

Series A in 2020
Oxford VR Limited specializes in developing cognitive treatments for various clinical conditions using virtual reality technology. Founded in 2016 and based in Oxford, United Kingdom, the company leverages extensive research from Professor Daniel Freeman to create automated therapies delivered by a virtual coach. These innovative treatments address issues such as fear of heights, psychosis, and social anxiety. By utilizing immersive VR experiences, Oxford VR aims to provide faster, more effective, and cost-efficient psychological interventions compared to traditional methods. The company's focus is on delivering clinically validated and user-centered solutions that enhance access to mental health care, benefiting patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader health system.

Mahana Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2020
Mahana Therapeutics, Inc. is a company focused on developing digital treatments for individuals with chronic health conditions, particularly gastrointestinal diseases. Its flagship offering, Parallel, is a clinically validated, minimal-contact digital program specifically designed for patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The program aims to deliver both physical and psychological support to enhance patient well-being. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Mahana Therapeutics also maintains an office in London, United Kingdom. The company was previously known as Mahana Health, Inc. before rebranding in July 2019.

LGN

Funding Round in 2019
LGN Innovations, Inc. specializes in artificial intelligence-based perception systems that aim to replicate human-level perception in autonomous technologies. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in London and Zagreb, the company develops innovative products such as LGN Auto-Calibrate, which connects AI systems to sensor arrays, and LGN Intelligent Select, which efficiently compresses and filters data. Their technology enhances the resolution and imaging capabilities of various devices, facilitating applications across multiple sectors, including automotive, retail, and satellite industries. By optimizing data capture and processing, LGN's solutions reduce costs and power consumption while promoting high-level autonomy, making advanced AI capabilities accessible to a broader range of industries.

Optellum

Seed Round in 2019
Optellum Ltd is a company based in Oxford, United Kingdom, specializing in the development of AI-driven clinical decision support software for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. Founded in 2015, Optellum aims to enhance cancer care by providing an end-to-end IT platform that facilitates personalized early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for patients at high risk of developing lung cancer, which is the most common and deadliest form of cancer. The company's innovative software identifies at-risk individuals and streamlines optimal treatment options, leveraging machine learning to analyze vast datasets from numerous healthcare professionals. Optellum's team consists of experts in medical imaging, artificial intelligence, and clinical practice, many of whom have a history of successful innovations in the medical technology sector. They are supported by an advisory board of leading clinicians and deep learning specialists, and are actively expanding their product development team to further their mission in the fight against cancer.

Astroscreen

Seed Round in 2019
Astroscreen Ltd is a London-based company that specializes in developing a software as a service (SaaS) platform aimed at detecting astroturfing campaigns, which involve deceptive social media manipulation. Founded in 2018, the platform employs advanced machine learning techniques and human intelligence to identify fake accounts, botnets, and spam across social networks. By leveraging social media bot data, Astroscreen provides disinformation analysts with the tools needed to verify social media influence engagement and cleanse data streams. This enables organizations to combat marketing fraud, safeguard their brands, and obtain reliable insights into social media analytics.

Hadean

Venture Round in 2019
Hadean is a venture-backed startup focused on transforming distributed, spatial, and scalable computing for web 3.0 and the metaverse. The company offers a cloud-distributed computing platform that enables developers to build, run, and scale real-time applications, facilitating petascale computing on extensive datasets. Hadean's technology bridges physical and virtual environments, allowing for unprecedented digital scale and fidelity, which enhances real-world applications. Their solutions support a range of clients, including CAE, Microsoft, Minecraft, the Francis Crick Institute, PixelMax, GamesCoin, and BAE Systems, positioning Hadean as a key player in the development of the metaverse and enterprise applications.

Vital Bio

Funding Round in 2019
Vital Bio is focused on transforming lab testing to make healthcare more accessible and personalized. The company develops advanced diagnostic technologies that connect diagnosis and treatment through a comprehensive ecosystem of devices, software, and services. By empowering patients to monitor their health and manage diseases, Vital Bio aims to enhance the overall healthcare experience. Their approach seeks to reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes and redistribute control to patients while equipping healthcare providers with the tools necessary to achieve better results.

Synthace

Series B in 2018
Synthace Limited is a company focused on transforming the way biological experimentation is conducted across various sectors, including health, pharmaceuticals, food, energy, agri-science, and industrial biotechnology. Established in 2011 and headquartered in London, with an additional office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Synthace offers a cloud-based platform called Antha. This platform enables life science research and development teams to streamline their experimental processes by allowing scientists to design, plan, and execute reproducible experiments without requiring coding skills. Antha facilitates the automation of laboratory experiments and the organization of experimental data, making it easier for researchers to run complex experiments that might have been previously deemed impractical. The company has also formed a strategic partnership with Microsoft to enhance its offerings.

BioBeats

Seed Round in 2018
BioBeats, established in 2012 and headquartered in London, specializes in digital health solutions for personal wellness. The company leverages artificial intelligence and real-time data from smartphones and wearables to tackle global mental health challenges. By fusing research from the University of Oxford, BioBeats creates AI products that track neurological and physiological correlates to psychological progress, predict disorder onset, and provide personalized support. Their psychological wellness application calculates a baseline wellbeing score and offers insights into stress responses, enabling users to identify harmful patterns and improve their overall mental health.

Facesoft

Seed Round in 2018
FaceSoft is developing machine learning models and databases that improve 3D facial recognition and computer-generated facial reconstruction technologies. The spinout's reconstruction algorithm has been trained on a database of 2.5 million high-resolution 3D facial scans. The company was founded in 2017 and based in London, England.

Beyond

Seed Round in 2018
Beyond Limited operates a platform that enables users to compare funeral director prices, services, and reviews in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2015 and based in London, the company provides various solutions related to end-of-life planning, including arrangements for direct cremation, funeral financing, will writing, and estate settlement. Formerly known as Funeralbooker Ltd, Beyond aims to assist customers in making informed decisions during a difficult time.

Active Global Specialised Caregivers

Venture Round in 2018
Active Global Specialised Caregivers Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based company that specializes in providing home personal care, live-in caregiver, and respite care services. Established in 2012, the company offers tailored caregiver support for individuals dealing with various health conditions, including cancer, dementia, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and visual or hearing impairments. Additionally, it addresses nutrition and elimination issues, schizophrenia, stoma and wound care, as well as allergies. Active Global Specialised Caregivers aims to enhance the quality of life for patients by delivering compassionate and professional care in the comfort of their own homes.

Synthace

Series A in 2017
Synthace Limited is a company focused on transforming the way biological experimentation is conducted across various sectors, including health, pharmaceuticals, food, energy, agri-science, and industrial biotechnology. Established in 2011 and headquartered in London, with an additional office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Synthace offers a cloud-based platform called Antha. This platform enables life science research and development teams to streamline their experimental processes by allowing scientists to design, plan, and execute reproducible experiments without requiring coding skills. Antha facilitates the automation of laboratory experiments and the organization of experimental data, making it easier for researchers to run complex experiments that might have been previously deemed impractical. The company has also formed a strategic partnership with Microsoft to enhance its offerings.

Sparrho

Venture Round in 2017
Sparrho operates a discovery platform designed to make scientific information more accessible. The platform aggregates, distills, and recommends relevant content from various sources, including journals, patents, and conferences. It provides customized and filtered recommendations, allowing users to add content, save discoveries, and share findings. Founded in 2013 by two Oxbridge scientists, Sparrho emerged from a need for more effective literature search tools. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and serves a diverse clientele, including Fortune 500 companies worldwide. By leveraging a combination of artificial intelligence and expert input, termed Augmented Intelligence, Sparrho aims to enhance the way scientific research is curated and consumed.

Hadean

Seed Round in 2017
Hadean is a venture-backed startup focused on transforming distributed, spatial, and scalable computing for web 3.0 and the metaverse. The company offers a cloud-distributed computing platform that enables developers to build, run, and scale real-time applications, facilitating petascale computing on extensive datasets. Hadean's technology bridges physical and virtual environments, allowing for unprecedented digital scale and fidelity, which enhances real-world applications. Their solutions support a range of clients, including CAE, Microsoft, Minecraft, the Francis Crick Institute, PixelMax, GamesCoin, and BAE Systems, positioning Hadean as a key player in the development of the metaverse and enterprise applications.

Beyond

Pre Seed Round in 2016
Beyond Limited operates a platform that enables users to compare funeral director prices, services, and reviews in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2015 and based in London, the company provides various solutions related to end-of-life planning, including arrangements for direct cremation, funeral financing, will writing, and estate settlement. Formerly known as Funeralbooker Ltd, Beyond aims to assist customers in making informed decisions during a difficult time.

BioBeats

Seed Round in 2016
BioBeats, established in 2012 and headquartered in London, specializes in digital health solutions for personal wellness. The company leverages artificial intelligence and real-time data from smartphones and wearables to tackle global mental health challenges. By fusing research from the University of Oxford, BioBeats creates AI products that track neurological and physiological correlates to psychological progress, predict disorder onset, and provide personalized support. Their psychological wellness application calculates a baseline wellbeing score and offers insights into stress responses, enabling users to identify harmful patterns and improve their overall mental health.
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