Pure Focus On Ophthalmology

Visionary is a venture capital fund that invests in the future of ophthalmology.
About VisionaryContact Us

ABOUT VISIONARY VENTURES

Visionary is a venture capital firm that invests in the most promising emerging ophthalmology companies.

With many breakthrough ophthalmic technologies and platforms on the horizon, Visionary Venture Fund was created to help these companies by contributing clinical expertise, commercialization know-how, and growth capital. We work hand-in-hand with today's most promising ophthalmic technologies to create tomorrow's commercial blockbusters.

We're looking for visionary and proven entrepreneurs who are turning exciting ideas in ophthalmology into market-leading businesses. We are a focused venture capital fund from round A to commercialization. Our target investments range from $500K to $5M.

Visionary Ventures has two key differentiators that set us apart from other venture investors: our world-class investment team and our partnership with OCTANe. Learn more about Visionary below

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FOUNDING INVESTORS ARE
KOL OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Our 30 founding investors are many of the most influential ophthalmologists including anterior segment, glaucoma, and retina experts. These doctor-investors are deeply committed to helping the fund help with clinical due diligence and commercialization of portfolio companies.

Our doctors add significant value to our portfolio companies through all stages of growth, from initial product development to clinical trials to commercialization. Their unique, clinical perspective helps our companies succeed.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OCTANE

OCTANe, one of the premier entrepreneurial organizations in Orange County, has a documented history of helping early-stage companies achieve explosive growth. OCTANe hosts some of the largest and best entrepreneurial events in Southern California.

LaunchPad is OCTANE's business accelerator, and has worked with over 300 tech and life science companies. Through a proprietary predictive analytics platform, LaunchPad has helped companies raise $1.1 billion in funding. Visionary will work with LaunchPad to identify strong investment opportunities and help portfolio companies.

Go to OCTANE's website

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WHY OPHTHALMOLOGY?

The ophthalmic industry is projected to double to $57 Billion in 2020 from $34 Billion in 2015. This strong growth is based on the aging American demographic, an increase in the number of surgical procedures, and average price per procedure. Investing in Ophthalmology makes sense as over the last four years over 34 ophthalmic companies were acquired for an aggregate of $16 B with over 60% of those companies being venture backed.

With significant unmet medical needs, breakthrough technologies on the horizon, a clear path to exit for superior products, acquisitive strategic companies with over $826 Billion in firepower, and strong barriers to entry, ophthalmology is a proven market for venture capital.

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WHY VISIONARY

Better information drives Visionary's approach. Deal flow is created by the ophthalmology - Key Opinion Leader "KOL" group who are active on a variety of innovative company medical advisory boards. Our 30-member KOL group peer reviews each opportunity, assists with company, clinical and regulatory strategy, and highlights commercializing products at major medical meetings. Visionary also maintains deep relationships with the strategic acquirors of ophthalmology companies for insight into their acquisition preferences.

Visionary's decision-making is strengthened by its Investment Committee, experienced ophthalmology KOL's and investors who are the leading professionals in Ophthalmology. The Investment Committee members have completed over three-dozen ophthalmology deals for innovative companies, and a two business executives with extensive private equity experience. The combination of medical insight and disciplined deal evaluation translates to well-informed investments.

The Visionary fund also benefits from its location in Orange County, California, with unparalleled access to a rich pool of business, scientific and medical talent in its target industry. Orange County has been the home of major innovation among ophthalmology companies for many years. There are over 80 Ophthalmology companies operating in and around Orange County., contributing $12.5 Billion to the local economy. This rich talent pool informs provides participants in the LaunchPadTM, which Visionary uses to deepen its diligence on potential investment targets.



ADVENTURE INVESTMENTS

We're looking for visionary entrepreneurs ready to rock the world of ophthalmology. We love disruptive, proprietary technologies that address unmet needs or replace suboptimal solutions.

We offer our companies one of the deepest and most influential networks in ophthalmology. Our leadership team and doctor-investors roll up our sleeves to help reduce risk and increase your chances for success.

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MEET THE VISIONARY TEAM

Our leadership team is made up of a distinguished group of doctors, executives, managers and entrepreneurs.

We are a team of investors with success as investors, operators, and entrepreneurs.
We know what it takes to bring a product to market and make it a winner.

JeffWeinhuff

30 years of building leading financial M&A and PE firms. Founder and Co-Head of Investment Banking at Jefferies & Company. Former Partner at Drexel Burnham.

Jeffry Weinhuff

Managing Partner

Bill Carpou

CEO of OCTANe with deep experience in business growth. Former Blackstone operating partner.

Bill Carpou

 

Internationally recognized leader in corneal, cataract, refractive and laser surgery.

Dr. Richard Lindstrom

 

International leader in cataract and refractive surgery. Past president of ASCRS and the editor in chief of EyeWorld. Founding partner of Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, one of the largest practices in the U.S.

Dr. Eric Donnenfeld

 

Internationally recognized leader in cataract and refractive surgery. Incoming President of ASCRS and partner of Carolina Eyecare Physicians.

Dr. Kerry Solomon

 



Established first and foremost by ophthalmologists, our team includes many renown doctors
who will eventually use these technologies in their practices.

Dr. Amish Purohit

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Bill Wiley

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Carl Regillo

Ophthalmologist

"Top 40 under 40 in the world" by The Ophthalmologist, Top 250 Surgeon in the US by Premier Surgeon, founder of one of the most successful ophthalmic practices in SE Florida. Serves on advisory boards for 12+ companies.

Dr. David Goldman

Ophthalmologist

CEO and medical director of A Better Vue Eye Physicians in Naples FL. Consultant to EHR and new technologies in ophthalmic diagnostic testing device, surgical devices and instruments for cataract and refractive surgery.

Dr. David Tran

Ophthalmologist

KOL ophthalmologist that has participated in FDA trials, founded healthcare companies, and advised top pharma companies.

Dr. Ehsan Sadri

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Elizabeth Yeu

Ophthalmologist

The immediate past president of the Society of Excellence in Eyecare. A consultant, speaker, and researcher with 25+ companies. CEO & owner of one of the largest practices in SW Florida.

Dr. Farrell "Toby" Tyson

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Jay Duker

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Ivan Mac

Ophthalmologist

Dr. James Katz

Dr. James Katz

Ophthalmologist

Serves on Mars vision program. Interests include glaucoma, refractive surgery, and drug delivery. Has published numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. Top young physician in South Dakota, and Top 40 under 40 ophthalmologists worldwide.

Dr. John Berdahl

Ophthalmologist

Dr. John Hovanesian

Ophthalmologist

Dr. JT Kavanagh

Ophthalmologist

Co-founder of Carolina Cataract & Laser Center in Charleston, SC. He is a board certified ophthalmologist focusing on cataract, refractive, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

Dr. Millin Budev

Ophthalmologist

The President and CMO of Chicago Cornea Consultants. Active participant in clinical research activities and highly regarded international lecturer on corneal and refractive surgery.

Dr. Parag Majmudar

Ophthalmologist

Cataract and Refractive Surgeon at Eye Doctors of Washington. Past president and co-founder of Vanguard Ophthalmology Society.

Dr. Paul Kang

Ophthalmologist

President of The Eye Centers of Racine & Kenosha. Conducted clinical research and published papers in several journals. Strong passion for new technology - first to implant iStent in WI and YAG lasers.

Dr. Paul Singh

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Ranjan P. Malhotra

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Sheri Rowen

Ophthalmologist

Owner and Medical Director of Eye Associates. Clinical Investigator for FDA and consultant. Written and co-authored numerous publications on cataract and refractive surgery.

Dr. Syd Tyson

Ophthalmologist

The managing partner of Eye Doctors of Washington, and has served as an investigator in numerous clinical studies. Authored 40 scientific articles, and team ophthalmologist for the Washington Capitals and Wizards.

Dr. Thomas Clinch

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Tom Ghuman

Ophthalmologist

Board certified, specializing in cornea and dry eye. Served as an investigator in more than 60 clinical trials. Received "Outstanding Young Ophthalmologist Leadership Award", Senior Achievement Award from AAO, and the Casebeer award.

Dr. William Trattler

Ophthalmologist

Cataract and Refractive Surgeon at Claremont Eye Associates. Serves as a KOL to multiple surgical device and pharmaceutical companies with expertise in clinical research.

Dr. Anil Shivaram

Ophthalmologist



Doctors and executives are active advisors to our venture team and portfolio companies.
They help with everything from go-to-market strategies to advice for managing teams.

CEO and Founder of DevicePharm, with over 25 years of experience in marketing and branding early-stage healthcare and life science companies.

Clay Wilemon

Advisor

Over 25 years of Ophthalmic Leadership experience in companies from start-up to Fortune 100. Led the successful commercialization and expansion for numerous companies and global markets.

Wayne Caulder

Advisor

Rob Hewlett

25 years in the Ophthalmic industry. Grew and sold Endure Medical to Alcon. Holds 7 granted patents and multiple patents-pending.

Rob Hewlett

Advisor



WE INVEST IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Visionary is focused on promising new ophthalmic technologies that have the potential to disrupt the industry.

We are more than money. We do a lot more than invest capital. We can offer our portfolio companies one of the deepest networks in the world of ophthalmology. We know what it takes to build successful companies, and we're willing to roll up our sleeves and help our companies succeed. With everything from regulatory approval to sales and marketing, we will help you go from good to great.

We have high standards. We are looking for companies in ophthalmology that target large markets and unmet medical needs. We prefer track-record entrepreneurs and proven technologies, but we're not afraid to take a risk with a first-time founder with a blockbuster product. The list below highlights characteristics of ideal investment candidates.

WHAT WE INVEST IN

GREAT TEAMS

First and foremost, we invest in great teams. And a great team starts with exceptional founders. Great teams build great companies.

LARGE, GROWING MARKETS

We invest in companies that have the potential to reach $50M in revenue five years after first commercial sale.

UNMET MEDICAL NEEDS

Addressing unmet medical needs give a new company an unmatched advantage when it comes to going to market and scaling up.

PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY

If you're going to build something great, you have to be able to protect it. Proprietary technologies make it possible to hold off the competition.

CONTAINED REGULATORY RISK

We prefer companies that have clear-cut commercialization pathways and low regulatory risk.

ANY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Since we are a focused on ophthalmology exclusively, we are opportunistic in that we invest in companies at various stages of their development and commercialization.

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

Minimally invasive micro-interventional device to treat cataracts in safe and cost-effective manner without heat-generating vibrational energy or expensive electricity-powered equipment.

SightLife Surgical is planning to eliminate corneal blindness through research, products, therapeutics, prevention and policy to transform the corneal ecosystem

 

Device that uses precision pulse technology to create an accurate and reproducible capsulotomy that is quick, safe and affordable.

RxSight - Transforming the lens industry by being able to optimize a lens after implantation.

 

TearClear - Ophthalmic Drug Filtration System to remove BAK and offer drop free BAK-free drop from a preserved multi-dose system.

Orange County Has $12.5 Billion Annual Impact– Global Center of Ophthalmology

The Economic Impact of the Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing Industry on the Southern California Economy" Please find attached a pdf

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Visionary Venture Fund Closes Debut Fund - Anticipates $30 Million for the Companies Driving Next Wave of Ophthalmology Innovation

"OCTANe final Visionary Venture Press Release" Please find attached a pdf

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CONTACT VISIONARY

65 ENTERPRISE
ALISO VIEJO, CA 92656