Breakout Ventures Closes $114M Fund III to Accelerate AI-Powered Science Startups in Biology and Chemistry

Breakout Ventures has announced the closing of its $114 million Fund III, dedicated to fueling early-stage AI startups revolutionizing scientific fields.

The new fund plans to invest in at least 20 companies, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $5 million, and has already deployed capital into three initial portfolio firms.

Targeting AI's Role in Unlocking Scientific Complexity

Fund III emphasizes biology and chemistry startups leveraging AI to tackle complex challenges, address unmet medical needs, and pioneer entirely new markets.

Breakout Ventures originated as a spinout from a Thiel Foundation grant program back in 2016, establishing itself as a pioneer in science-focused venture capital.

Prior funds include a $60 million Fund I launched in 2017 and a $112.5 million Fund II in 2021, both nurturing innovative science and technology companies.

Strategic Backers and Leadership Insights

Prominent limited partners in Fund III feature The Kraft Group, Pinegrove Venture Partners, and Cubed Capital, signaling strong institutional confidence.

Managing director Lindy Fishburne highlighted the firm's enduring commitment to technologies that unlock biology and chemistry's vast potential.

She noted that ideal founders are often PhDs or industry veterans uniquely positioned to scale groundbreaking companies.

This fund arrives amid a surge in AI applications for science, poised to amplify discoveries and therapeutic breakthroughs at unprecedented speeds.

Raising the fund took approximately one and a half years, reflecting deliberate strategy in a competitive VC landscape.

Looking ahead, Breakout Ventures aims to shape the future of AI science innovation, potentially transforming global health and materials science industries.