Highlander Venture Fund

The Highlander Venture Fund (HVF) is a venture capital fund affiliated with the University of California, Riverside (UCR), established to support early-stage investments in innovative startups. The fund primarily targets UCR-affiliated companies, including those founded by students, faculty members, and alumni, as well as startups based in Riverside County. HVF aims to bridge the funding gap for emerging businesses by providing capital and resources to accelerate their growth and commercialization efforts.

HVF's investment strategy focuses on sectors such as biotechnology, healthcare, and technology, aligning with UCR's strengths in research and innovation. The fund typically invests between $250,000 and $500,000 in seed and early-stage companies, offering both financial support and access to UCR's extensive network of researchers, mentors, and industry connections. This approach fosters a collaborative environment that enhances the potential for startup success and regional economic development.

Since its inception, HVF has made several notable investments, including a $250,000 investment in NanoCellect Biomedical Inc., a developer of microfluidic cell-sorting technologies, and a $250,000 pre-seed investment in Basilard BioTech, a company developing nanomechanical gene delivery platforms. These investments demonstrate HVF's commitment to advancing cutting-edge technologies and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the UCR community and the broader Inland Empire region.