Innova Memphis

Innova Memphis, founded in 2007 by the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on biosciences, healthcare, technology, and agtech. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the firm invests in pre-seed, seed, and early-stage startups, aiming to create high-growth companies and jobs in these sectors. The firm has made notable investments in companies like Growers, AgriSync, and Arkis BioSciences. Innova Memphis emphasizes startups with strong intellectual property or competitive advantages. They have raised several funds, including the recent $40 million Innova Ag Innovation Fund VI, which focuses on agtech innovations addressing automation and digitization in agriculture. Innova's team, led by partners Ken Woody, Jan Bouten, and Dean Didato, brings extensive experience in operations, sales, and strategic growth, providing hands-on mentorship and leadership to their portfolio companies. Their approach has attracted over $125 million in outside capital, significantly impacting the local economy by supporting hundreds of jobs​.