First Spark Ventures
VC Fund
San Carlos, United States
First Spark Ventures is a deep tech venture capital firm that invests in scientists globally. They specialize in advanced computing, digital biology and biotech, and cyber-physical systems.
- Total investments:
- 34
- Last investment:
- Lead investor:
- 24%
- Fund size:
- $56M
- Last fund:
Last updated:
For AI agents: llms.txt
Industries First Spark Ventures invests in
Stages First Spark Ventures invests in
Countries First Spark Ventures invests in
Contacts
| Name | Phone | Socials | |
|---|---|---|---|
Investment Focus
Industry
- Artificial Intelligence 8 (24%)
- Health Care 7 (21%)
- Software 5 (15%)
- Biotechnology 4 (12%)
- Machine Learning 4 (12%)
Stage
- Seed 13 (38%)
- Series A 8 (24%)
- Series B 6 (18%)
- Funding Round 3 (9%)
- Pre-Seed 1 (3%)
Country
- United States 19 (56%)
- Canada 1 (3%)
- Germany 1 (3%)
Team
| Name | Title | Investments | Links | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter Richards
Founding Partner
|
Founding Partner | Total investments: 2 | Find email |
Investments
| Company | Description | Round | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radical Numerics develops a unified AI model that comprehensively understands and generates biological data, integrating DNA, RNA, proteins, and all molecular components of living systems into a single framework. The company is known for its Evo and Evo 2 models, which are large biological AI models that have been trained on extensive DNAsequences. | $50M / Seed / Jun 15, 2026 | ||
| Normal is rethinking semiconductors from the ground up.Normal EDA - Normal deploys AI software to accelerate complex hardware engineering with zero defects – all in one unified EDA platform.Normal ASICs - With the help of Normal EDA, and our closest semiconductor partners, we are building thermodynamic computing hardware that could reduce AIenergy consumption by 1000x.Normal helps enterprises deploy AI into their highest-stakes applications, where AI can reason reliably, autonomously understand its own limits. Normal’s AI application development platform is powered by a novel full-stack probabilistic machine learning infrastructure driven by thermodynamic physics. | $50M / Series B / Mar 25, 2026 | ||
| Unnatural Products is a startup pairing AI with chemistry to create treatments for drug targets. Its AI-enhanced technology platform creates entirely new drugs by engineering passively permeable, macrocyclic peptides that access traditionally undruggable targets.Unnatural Products was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Santa Cruz,California. | $45M / Series B / Mar 16, 2026 | ||
| Curve Biosciences is a biotechnology company focused on enhancing chronic disease care through precision medicine. With a team led by experts such as Nathan Hunkapiller, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer, and Chuba Oyolu, PhD, as Chief Technology Officer, the company is at the forefront of research and development in the biotech field. CurveBiosciences aims to leverage scientific advancements to provide targeted solutions for chronic diseases, emphasizing the importance of precision in treatment approaches. The company operates within the biotechnology industry and is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through innovative research. | $40M / Series A / Oct 29, 2025 | ||
| Xona Space Systems is building a next-generation satellite navigation system using small but powerful satellites in low-Earth orbit. The constellation they are developing is designed to provide secure navigation and timing services with the resilience and accuracy that modern intelligent systems, such as autonomous vehicles and drones, need tooperate safely at scale. | $92M / Series B / Jun 26, 2025 | ||
| Oath Surgical is creating the surgical care of the future, one that is value-based by design, tech-powered, and led by surgeons. The first vertically integrated system that combines tech-first surgical centers with AI software. | $10M / Seed / May 14, 2025 | ||
| Altera build digital human beings that live, love and grow. | $33M / Series A / Feb 03, 2025 | ||
| SoloPulse is changing how the world sees by bringing a new approach to sensing and communication technologies that is based on proprietary mathematical wave theory algorithms. This approach unlocks barriers that legacy technologies face while also improving computational efficiency and resolution. SoloPulse’s advanced sensing and beamformingtechniques can use a single electromagnetic pulse to produce high-resolution imaging and increased data transmission rates. | $7.2M / Seed / Jan 15, 2025 | ||
| Vitara Biomedical has developed a therapeutic platform to support premature infants. Vitara Biomedical's platform was inspired by natural physiological processes to transform neonatal care. | $50M / Series B / Nov 18, 2024 | ||
| Tidal Metals developed a breakthrough suite of innovations for producing critical minerals and metals from seawater and brines – with no waste, no carbon emissions, and no harm to the environment. | $8.5M / Seed / Sep 19, 2024 | ||
| See all 34 investments → | |||
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FAQ
What does First Spark Ventures invest in?
First Spark Ventures invests primarily in Artificial Intelligence, Health Care and Software startups, most often at Seed and Series A stage. Most of the 34 investments tracked by Shizune back companies in United States. The Investment Focus section breaks down every industry, stage and country in the portfolio.
How do I contact First Spark Ventures?
Public channels for First Spark Ventures include LinkedIn and the website linked on this profile. For a verified work email and phone number, create a free Shizune account — contact data is searched across 20+ sources and validated before delivery, so your outreach lands in the right inbox.
Who are the partners at First Spark Ventures?
The team at First Spark Ventures includes Peter Richards (Founding Partner). The Team section lists each member with their title, investment count and links.
Is Shizune's investor data accurate?
Yes — every stat on this profile is calculated from confirmed public funding rounds monitored across hundreds of sources since 2020. This profile was last refreshed in Oct 2026 and is updated monthly. Spotted something off? Use the “Suggest an edit” link near the top of the page.
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