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3,709
Employed in Pharma Manufacturing |
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The St. Louis biotech industry is attracting the interest of venture capitalists from around the world. The area has become home to 13 funds with nearly $1 billion under management, half of that dedicated to biotech. The growth coincides with a rise in the area's reputation in venture capital circles. A September 2005 survey of venture capital firms by BioEnterprise of Cleveland found that the St. Louis area has one of the best reputations in the Midwest among health-care investors. St. Louis also ranked among the top cities for biopharmaceutical-focused funds. Reflecting the opportunities in the region, two venture capital firms — Prolog Ventures and Oakwood Medical Investors — recently raised new funds in the biotech sector here. In addition, an $81.5 million fund-of-funds, Vectis Medical Sciences Fund I, recently began making investments in medical science venture capital funds with ties to the region. To complement the area's venture captial resources, the St. Louis Arch Angels were established in January 2005. Arch Angel members provide early-stage capital in range of $2 million, an investment range not generally served by VCs. There are now about 30 early-stage life science companies in the St. Louis region. They have raised more than $310 million. Ten biotech/medical device firms in the St. Louis area received a total of more than $70 million in venture funding in 2004 alone. Venture Capital Firms Include:
St. Louis-Based Seed Capital Funds
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