Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) announced today that it launched an inaugural $100 million investment fund called Intuitive Ventures.
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Intuitive’s new venture fund is focused on investment opportunities surrounding digital tools, precision diagnostics, focal therapeutics and platform technologies that align with its “commitment to advancing positive outcomes in healthcare,” according to a news release.
The investment fund, which is Intuitive’s first foray into the venture capital space, is slated to support independent initiatives in the direct and adjacent fields of minimally invasive care.
Julian Nikolchev, a more than 30-year veteran in the space of therapeutic medical device development and commercialization, was named president of the venture fund, having joined Intuitive last year. He will continue to serve as the parent company’s senior VP of corporate development and strategy.
“The future of minimally invasive care spans the patient journey from early diagnosis to treatment and beyond,” Nikolchev said in the news release. ”Intuitive Ventures is investing in cutting-edge innovation across the continuum of care to bring the future forward.”
Dr. Oliver Keown will serve as the director of Intuitive Ventures, having joined the company in 2019 to co-found the fund. He previously held a role as an investor at GE Ventures, having also advised healthcare innovation projects around the world.
“We are value-add investors who leverage access to Intuitive’s unique industry expertise and customer connections,” Keown said. “Our nimble structure and alignment with the startups we will back empower us to invest early and support our portfolio companies as they pioneer markets.’’
