Investment Fund Focuses on Minimally Invasive Healthcare Innovations
For instance, San Diego startups raised $590 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 60% drop compared to the previous year. This represents the smallest quarterly investment total in eight years, with only 48 venture capital deals, a decrease from 61 deals last year. Since its inception in 2020, the fund has supported over 10 startups.
An investment fund is directing its focus towards startups specializing in minimally invasive healthcare solutions. The initiative aims to enhance the accessibility and coordination of healthcare services by supporting companies involved in diagnostics, MedTech, therapies, and digital health.
The Strategy Behind the Investments
The investment fund, known as Intuitive Ventures Fund II, is spearheaded by Murielle Thinard McLane, who brings over two decades of experience to the table. The fund has a strategic focus on companies that are pioneering innovations in minimally invasive care, particularly in the areas of precision diagnostics and interventions. By emphasizing secure digital ecosystems for healthcare data, the fund aims to facilitate positive patient outcomes and improve the provider experience.
Since its inception in 2020, the fund has supported over 10 startups. This focus on precision and minimally invasive solutions is seen as a way to address some of the key challenges in modern healthcare, including the need for more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective care options.
Leadership and Expertise
In addition to Murielle Thinard McLane, the fund's leadership includes key figures with substantial experience in the medtech sector. Oliver Keown has joined as a Venture Partner, bringing his expertise to the table. Meanwhile, Terri Burke has been appointed as a Senior Partner, leveraging her experience in medtech investments to guide the fund's strategic decisions.
Ross Jaffe, a co-founder of Versant Ventures, has also been named as a Venture Advisor. Both Burke and Jaffe have extensive experience, each with over 20 years in the medtech industry, which they bring to the fund's investment strategies.
Market Context and Challenges
The broader investment landscape has seen significant fluctuations. For instance, San Diego startups raised $590 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 60% drop compared to the previous year. This represents the smallest quarterly investment total in eight years, with only 48 venture capital deals, a decrease from 61 deals last year. This downturn reflects a market hesitancy affecting fundraising, especially in early-stage and growth capital.
Despite these challenges, certain sectors, such as AI, continue to attract significant investment, primarily concentrated in the Bay Area. This trend is indicative of a broader focus on geopolitical and national security priorities, which are driving investments in technology and innovation.
Notable Investments and Economic Impact
Amidst these market dynamics, specific startups have made substantial strides. For instance, Israeli-founded Cyera recently raised $400 million, with its valuation reaching $9 billion. Meanwhile, Nvidia plans to develop a 160,000-square-meter R&D campus, expected to create 10,000 jobs, showcasing the potential for tech investment to drive economic growth and job creation.
In other notable investments, Crystalys Therapeutics raised $205 million in a Series A funding round, and Firestorm Labs, founded in 2022 with a focus on defense technology, secured $47 million in Series A funding. These investments highlight the ongoing role of startups in driving economic growth and innovation, even amidst challenging market conditions.
The current environment underscores the importance of strategic investments in sectors that promise to deliver both economic and societal benefits, particularly in the realms of healthcare innovation and technology.
Startups drive U.S. job creation and economic growth, with AI investment reflecting geopolitical and national security priorities. Tech IPOs are boosting confidence in the market, and M&A activity is rebounding nationally.