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Formic Ventures is a diversified early-stage investment firm founded by Michael Antonov (co-founder of Oculus) and based in San Francisco. Its mission is to 'fight entropy' by putting humans in control of their own destiny — investing in biotechnology startups focused on human longevity (approximately 70% of the portfolio) and opportunistic technology startups that make human lives more meaningful. The firm targets companies with unique, high-risk approaches that can accelerate the science of aging, drug discovery, and human healthspan extension. Formic also operates a philanthropic arm — The Michael Antonov Foundation — making small grants to 501(c)(3) organizations conducting longevity-centered research. The firm's vision is a future where average healthy lifespan exceeds 120 years, and where growing, organizing knowledge combats the chaos that challenges humanity.
Notable quotes
“Longevity is tied to pathways of aging for us, but as a fund, we also invest in biotechnology. The idea that, if you can accelerate science in general – the progress and the iteration cycle – then you can actually move longevity forward. That also makes it more diversified from a strategic point of view – technology can get to market quicker than a drug and can enable multiple therapies to be developed.”
“Applying factors to shape a cell to a younger state is super-exciting and I saw this was a science achievement to be supported and investigated … it could have a huge impact on certain areas of aging – taking the state of a cell and taking it to the past. Turn Bio is one company I invested in, very early, and so from an investment point of view, super-risky! But I wrote the cheque because I wanted the tech research to move forward.”
“Not all of my investments are in the longevity space, although about 70% of them are. I have also invested in some companies created by 'the Oculus mafia,' meaning people who we started the company together with. Fundamentally, I want to make a difference rather than just money.”
Recent investments
| Company | Round | Size | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Genomics | Early Stage VC | — | 2025-04-28 |
| Xcell Biosciences | Early Stage VC | — | 2024-12-17 |
| Turn Biotechnologies | Early Stage VC | — | 2024-05-10 |
| Deep Origin | Early Stage VC | — | 2024-03-13 |
| Insilico Medicine | Early Stage VC | — | — |
| Schrödinger | Early Stage VC | $110m | — |
| Anduril Industries | Early Stage VC | — | — |
| Loki Therapeutics | Seed | $2m | 2022-01-25 |
| TileDB | Early Stage VC | — | 2023-10-24 |
| Encellin | Early Stage VC | — | 2023-12-13 |
Frequent co-investors
| VC firm | Deals together |
|---|---|
| Y Combinator | 2 |
| Valar Ventures | 1 |
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