Top Venture Capital Funds Investing in Psychedelic Startups

Able Partners, founded in 2016 and based in New York City, is a venture capital firm that focuses on investing in early-stage companies aiming to improve daily lives through health and wellness. The firm is known for its support of passionate entrepreneurs and inspiring brands across various industries including consumer products, health tech, and wellness. Their diverse portfolio includes investments in companies such as Clare, a direct-to-consumer paint company; Alto Neuroscience, a company focused on precision psychiatry; Little Otter, a mental health service for children and families; and Kindred, a network for professional caregivers. Other notable investments are Beam Impact, Vivvi, and Capable Health. Able Partners has made over 60 investments and has achieved multiple successful exits. Key exits include Alto Neuroscience, Stretch*d, and Capable Health, showcasing their ability to support companies from early stages to successful outcomes. The firm is led by co-founders Lisa Blau and Amanda Eilian, who bring extensive experience in consumer-focused investments and entrepreneurship. Their investment strategy emphasizes not only providing capital but also leveraging their extensive networks and expertise to help portfolio companies achieve their full potential.

Aera VC is a venture capital firm focused on investing in climate tech and frontier technologies that aim to advance humanity and create a sustainable future. Founded in 2016 by Derek Handley and Nick Winstone, Aera VC operates from New York, Singapore, and New Zealand. The firm invests globally, targeting early-stage companies that drive transformational change across various industries. Notable investments include Solugen, which transforms chemicals using plant-based processes, and Twelve, a company that recycles CO₂ into cost-competitive chemicals and fuels. Other significant investments are Shiok Meats, a Singapore-based company developing cell-based seafood, and Carbon Chain, which offers solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in supply chains. Aera VC also supports startups like AstroForge, focused on space technology, and Paloma Health, an online medical practice specializing in hypothyroidism. Aera VC recently raised $42 million in the first close of its new climate-focused fund, which will be used to back up to 30 new seed investments over the next two years. The firm aims to support breakthrough technologies that can significantly reduce the world's carbon footprint and advance sustainable practices across various sectors.

K5 Global is a venture capital firm and incubation studio founded in 2018 by Michael Kives and Bryan Baum. Based in San Francisco, the firm supports founders throughout the entire business lifecycle, from seed stages to IPOs. K5 Global has deployed over $1.1 billion in capital and has made 174 direct investments, resulting in 11 exits. Their portfolio includes high-profile companies such as SpaceX, Uber, Coinbase, Lyft, and The Boring Company. K5 Global focuses on a wide array of industries, including enterprise SaaS, vertical SaaS, fintech, and consumer products. Some notable investments and launched companies include 818 Tequila, Parrot, and The Expert. The firm leverages its extensive network to help innovative companies expand and achieve their growth targets. The management team, led by Michael Kives and Bryan Baum, brings a wealth of experience from various sectors, ensuring robust support for their portfolio companies. K5 Global continues to make significant investments in cutting-edge technologies and groundbreaking startups.

Lionheart Ventures is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, focused on mitigating civilizational risks through investments in transformative technologies. They primarily target areas like advanced artificial intelligence and frontier mental health technologies. The firm is guided by the belief that addressing these sectors can significantly impact humanity while generating attractive returns for investors. Lionheart Ventures' notable investments include companies like Anthropic, which specializes in developing general AI systems with an emphasis on responsible usage, and Calm, a global health and wellness app aimed at improving mental health through meditation and relaxation tools. Other significant investments are in Beam, a company focused on urban mobility solutions, and Charm Industrial, which works on carbon removal technologies. The firm is led by founders with extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship, ensuring a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by startups. Their advisory team includes experts in AI safety, psychedelics, and mental health, such as Dr. Joseph Barsuglia and Allison Duettmann, who provide strategic guidance to portfolio companies. For startups looking to engage with Lionheart Ventures, it is essential to align with their mission of developing technologies that can mitigate existential risks and have a meaningful impact on humanity.

Main Sequence Ventures, founded in 2017 and backed by Australia's national science agency CSIRO, is a venture capital firm that focuses on deep tech and frontier technologies. The firm is headquartered in Australia and aims to solve significant global challenges through its investments. Main Sequence has a unique "venture science" model, which starts by identifying big challenges and bringing together science, people, and investment to create and fund companies that can address these issues. Main Sequence Ventures has built a strong portfolio with notable companies such as Q-CTRL, which makes quantum technology useful; Gilmour Space, which focuses on efficient satellite launches; and Emesent, a leader in robotics and autonomy technology. Other significant investments include Myriota, which provides low-cost satellite connectivity, and V2food, which develops sustainable meat alternatives. The firm's second fund, which raised $250 million, focuses on areas such as decarbonization, healthcare, and space technology. This fund supports companies like Kasada, a cybersecurity firm stopping bot attacks, and RapidAIM, which offers biosecurity solutions for pest management. Main Sequence Ventures is dedicated to leveraging scientific discoveries to create impactful, high-growth companies that can address some of the world's most pressing challenges. Their strategic investment approach and strong support for portfolio companies highlight their commitment to driving innovation and technological advancement globally.

Mystic Ventures, founded in 2021 and based in Los Angeles, is a venture capital firm focused on the rapidly growing psychedelic medicine and mental health sector. The fund is committed to advancing research and developing innovative treatments using psychedelics to address conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health issues. Mystic Ventures typically invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies that are pioneering these therapies. Led by Jeremy Gardner and Brock Pierce, the firm takes a biotech-oriented approach, partnering with scientific research teams and pharmaceutical experts to bring cost-effective, holistic psychedelic solutions to the mainstream. With a rolling fund structure on AngelList, Mystic Ventures is uniquely positioned to offer flexible capital to startups, supporting their long-term growth in the burgeoning field of psychedelic therapeutics. The fund has backed companies like Psylo and Heading Health, among others. By investing in breakthrough treatments that go beyond traditional pharmaceutical approaches, Mystic Ventures aims to reshape how mental health treatments are developed and accessed, while offering investors exposure to this transformative market.

Noetic Fund is a Toronto-based venture capital firm launched in 2020, specializing in early-stage investments within the healthcare, psychedelic medicine, and biotech sectors. The fund focuses on emerging therapies and technologies aimed at improving mental health, addressing central nervous system disorders, and offering innovative solutions to global healthcare challenges. Noetic is particularly involved in the burgeoning field of psychedelic-based therapeutics, where they support companies working on treatments for conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. With its first fund, Noetic made around 20 investments, including notable companies like COMPASS Pathways, MindMed, and Cybin, all leaders in the psychedelic medicine space. They’ve continued to expand with the launch of Noetic Fund II, aiming to raise $200 million to further invest in groundbreaking therapies. Their strategy includes a long-term focus on companies developing new drug discoveries, digital health solutions, and medical devices that address unmet needs in mental and physical health. Noetic’s leadership includes seasoned venture capitalists and experts in life sciences, positioning the firm to capitalize on the growing acceptance and scientific validation of psychedelic treatments. They collaborate closely with portfolio companies, leveraging their expertise to foster sustainable growth and innovation.

Phyto Partners is a venture capital firm based in Boca Raton, Florida, focused on the cannabis industry. Since its founding in 2015, the firm has invested in around 30 companies across the cannabis value chain. Their strategy prioritizes ancillary businesses, which provide essential solutions to support licensed operators, such as advertising technology, agricultural innovations, biotechnology, SaaS, and medical dosing technology. Phyto Partners takes an active role beyond just providing capital, offering strategic support, networking, and business development assistance to help their portfolio companies grow. Their investments span various sectors, including branded products, cannabis delivery services, and data analytics. The firm is known for helping companies navigate the highly regulated cannabis market, seeing compliance and technology solutions as key growth areas. In addition to their cannabis focus, Phyto Partners has expanded into brain health and psychedelics with their "Phyto Psyche" fund, recognizing the growing interest in neurowellness and mental health treatments.

Prime Movers Lab is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in breakthrough scientific startups that have the potential to transform major industries and impact billions of lives. Their diverse portfolio includes notable companies such as Boom Supersonic, which is developing supersonic airliners, and Axiom Space, which aims to build the first commercial space station. Other significant investments include Quantum Space, Lyten, and Heliogen, showcasing their focus on innovative technologies in aerospace, energy, and sustainable materials​. Prime Movers Lab primarily invests in early-stage companies, often leading funding rounds with substantial checks that can range significantly based on the needs of the startup. Their investment strategy emphasizes deep scientific and technological advancements that offer solutions to global challenges. They seek out companies with the potential for high growth and significant impact, preferring those that demonstrate strong scientific foundations and transformative potential. The firm is based in Jackson, Wyoming, and operates with a mission-driven approach, looking to partner with visionary founders who are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Key team members include Dakin Sloss, the founder and general partner, who has a robust background in supporting transformative startups. Amy Kruse, a general partner, leads life sciences investments with expertise in neuroscience and synthetic biology. Prime Movers Lab is known for its hands-on approach, providing not just capital but also strategic support, mentorship, and access to a network of industry experts. This approach helps their portfolio companies accelerate their growth and achieve their ambitious goals.

What If Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2020 that primarily invests in mental health, addiction, and stigmatized healthcare services. Based in the United States, What If Ventures is stage-agnostic and provides flexible check sizes, focusing on early-stage investments from seed to pre-IPO. Their portfolio includes companies like TRIPP, Osmind, Alto Neuroscience, Grow Therapy, and Ellipsis Health, which are all focused on innovative solutions in the mental health space. Notable exits include Human API and several IPOs, such as ATAI Life Sciences and Field Trip Health. What If Ventures has deployed $85 million in capital across 72 portfolio companies and has over 4,100 syndicate members. The firm supports startups by addressing the gaps and stigmas in mental health care, aiming to create accessible, affordable, and effective solutions for all.