Avogadro's mission is to create successful, early stage companies based on promising Small Tech: nano- and micro-technologies developed by private companies and leading research institutions. Technology investing has been an important sector in the venture investment arena since its inception, and emerging Small Technologies are poised to become key segments of these markets in the immediate future. We select and nurture these technologies into opportunities by applying capital and management expertise in finance, business development and technology commercialization.
We emphasize early-stage financing and active management of portfolio companies. Our principals take an active role in new ventures by contributing management leadership and administrative support, developing cost-control strategies to extend available dollars, assisting in raising early-stage funding, and offering the experienced insight and perspective of outside advisors.
It is our goal is to bring significant new technologies to market to achieve successful outcomes for both our portfolio companies and investors.
Avogadro focuses on identifying promising new technologies and patents long before they are ready to market. We seek to work with several new ventures per year, concentrating on opportunities with the most potential for future commercial applications with the addition of Avogadro business expertise and assistance. Avogadro looks for innovative, platform technology that has the potential for multiple product applications, as well as scientists and entrepreneurs who have outstanding technical backgrounds. We expect to work in partnership with these entrepreneurs in developing their technology throughout the business-building process.
Avogadro focuses on substantial market opportunities, particularly in Small Tech, with a particular emphasis on:
- Energy systems
- Biomedical devices and instruments
- Sensors and biosensors
- Material Sciences
Scientists and entrepreneurs can benefit greatly from investment partners who provide management expertise and services. The Avogadro team supplies the expertise and experience to fill this role, and is committed to devoting substantial time to the start-up phase.
Avogadro's hands-on involvement can satisfy a crucial need for conservation of scarce capital resources during the early phase of corporate development. Building a complete management team for an early-stage company can significantly increase business expenses and "burn rate." By providing management services during the early stages of a new venture and contracting for additional outside services, Avogadro can save millions of dollars of investment capital over the first few years. Avoiding significant management expenditures and focusing on research and development programs may enable a start-up company to avoid one round of financing, thereby increasing investor and founder returns.
We often participate in company decision-making, strategic development and recruiting, applying our experience to the development of company programs as well. For example, our principals take on operational responsibilities, such as chief executive officer, if desired, and the firm can supply full accounting and financial services to the CFO level if needed. Avogadro contributes other key functions such as corporate development, as part of the management team, generally providing top management services and support to new ventures for up to the first two years.
Avogadro's significant contributions to building new companies include:
- Active seed and early-stage funding
- Active management participation during the start-up phase and beyond, as appropriate
- Developing a value-added business strategy with long-term investment horizons
- Creating an investment syndicate for further rounds of financing
Avogadro operates through three distinct entities: Avogadro Investment Management, LLC; Avogadro Management Services, LLC; and Avogadro Capital, LLC.
is an investment management group that provides investment and management services for its venture funds. The company also manages the Avogadro Partners' Fund, a pre-seed equity investment fund that invests in the development and commercialization of promising opportunities arising from our work and client base.
James R. Moore, Managing Partner
is a strategic management consulting group that guides its portfolio companies from business formation through successful commercialization. Avogadro's management services build shareholder value by furnishing cost-effective expertise in financial management, marketing, operational and scientific matters, including advice and facilitation for new product introductions. By offering experienced management expertise, we effectively remove management burdens to help streamline the operations of our portfolio companies. As a result, company founders can focus their efforts on technology development and commercial applications.
At the appropriate stage of development, however, it is important for each company to build its own management team and corporate facilities. We can actively participate in the subsequent recruiting process, facilities planning and transition to in-house operations.
James L. Stanton, Managing Partner
undertakes the financing effort to raise private funds as well as developing relationships with investment bankers to support public offerings.
James R. Moore, Managing Partner
Avogadro's principals have been involved in building early stage companies for many years, through the ups and downs of several market cycles. We believe that consistency through market cycles is important and produces attractive market valuations for client companies.
