Damon Runyon Innovative Ventures in Early-Stage Technologies (InVEST)

About this program

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation’s InVEST Program provides a $50,000 SAFE investment to early-stage healthcare or research companies developing technologies for cancer treatment, diagnosis, prevention, or related research. Funding is flexible but cannot support specified gene-editing activities, and is disbursed after the company secures at least $500,000 in seed financing or $5 million in Series A financing. Eligible companies must be less than three years old, actively raising a seed or Series A round, and have a current or former Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator or Rachleff Innovation awardee as a scientific founder; currently funded scientists in mentored positions are ineligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with submissions due by June 1 for consideration in the current fiscal year, and require supporting materials including a CV, pitch deck, term sheet, and ethical research standards agreement.