I always wonder if folks will see these sorts of headlines and think that a fund was shuttered. When it’s quite the opposite actually. But “close” is the term that the industry uses. So be it. What it does mean in this context is that Next Ventures — a fund with local ties through founding General Partner Mel Strong — can shift their focus from raising their own money to beginning to use the $60 million in the fund to invest in promising startups.
What kinds of startups…? I’m glad you asked.
Since launching our first fund in 2019, we’ve had the privilege of backing talented teams that are enabling millions to live healthier, more capable lives. These companies are not only expanding access and extending healthspan, but also redefining how care is delivered in the U.S., challenging entrenched systems and raising the standard of what’s possible.
Today, healthcare is undergoing seismic change. Consumers are taking greater ownership of their health, and AI is emerging as a powerful enablement layer, driving efficiency, intelligence, and personalization across the care continuum. Against this backdrop, the opportunity set for investment is expanding significantly.
“We wanted to be really thoughtful about what institutional partner we wanted to work with because it’s a heavy lift. Getting diligence by the treasurer of the state of Oregon is no joke,” Mel told the Portland Business Journal.
“I think Oregon has something really specific to offer in the startup community nationally,” she added. “All the pieces are here. There’s brilliant people, there’s capital, we have resources here that are really differentiated specifically in health and sports and sporting goods.”
For more on the fund, read the announcement on Next Ventures II.
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[…] attended and high energy. With a number of local investors making an effort to be there. Including Next Ventures, whose team took the stage to share more about their fund. And the energy — and investment — on […]