About Us:
Invenshure was formed in 2011 by serial entrepreneurs Danny Cunagin and Troy Kopischke to identify, incubate, fund and grow emerging technology companies. Focusing primarily on platform technologies and medical devices/imaging, Invenshure is adept at creating shareholder value from very early stage ideas, often before a business plan or commercialization strategy exists. Even more unique is Invenshure’s track record of preserving shareholder value for founders and early investors.
Invenshure scours technology from industry and universities, concentrating on platform technologies that have the potential to yield significant market differentiation. The Invenshure founders also take an active role in the development and commercialization of the technology.
By combining a technology incubator and a commercialization enterprise (Invenshure, LLC) with a funding source (Invenshure Funds), Invenshure is uniquely positioned to reduce risk while fostering the growth of new companies.
Our process
As seasoned entrepreneurs, the principals of Invenshure have started several technology companies in the past 10 years. Engineers by degree, we invest a considerable amount of time evaluating emerging technologies and fostering the relationships to develop, capitalize and monetize opportunities. We have a well defined investment thesis and use a proven process to identify viable technologies and move that technology through due diligence, development and commercialization stages. Our process is summarized below.
Identify emerging technologies: We look for novel technologies that are rooted in well-reasoned science (preferably peer reviewed) and that can be supported by credible intellectual property positions. Viable technologies will address significant unmet market needs and must present a clear path to commercialization in a 3 to 5 year timeframe. Finally, we look for technologies where the principals of Invenshure can take an active role in the operation of the company, typically as CEO, President or COO.
Conduct due diligence: After a technology is identified, Invenshure goes through a rigorous due diligence process to verify the underlying science and market need, quantify the market size, review proof of concept studies, examine intellectual property and estimate the amount of funding needed to commercialize the technology.
Incubate technology: During this phase, more research is performed to further define the target market and the needs of the end user, develop a business strategy and plan, refine or develop an intellectual property strategy, and recruit and assemble advisory boards. In some cases, we may invest capital or resources to further advance the core technology or explore strategic technology combinations. As the opportunity progresses, a commercialization plan is created that could include licensing the technology to a strategic partner or forming a new company.
Monetize technology: At this stage, the opportunity has been completely vetted and a commercialization plan has been defined. Opportunities are licensed if a new company structure is not warranted. New companies are spun out if the technology requires larger capital to realize its full potential. Other monetization options at this stage may include joint venture, strategic investment or acquisition. In all cases, Invenshure’s monetization strategy will attempt to minimize ownership dilution for founders and early investors.
What we look for:
Emerging technologies in attractive markets, strong science with protectable intellectual property and a well-designed monetization path are key in the list of what we look for. Our interest areas include medical devices/imaging, therapeutics and platform technologies. That said, we are always willing to look at breakthrough technologies close to our interest areas.
To reduce risk and maximize return, we look for:
- Breakthrough/novel technologies that have the potential to create significant market value.
- Emerging technologies that transform markets or address large, unmet needs.
- Technologies that enjoy defendable patent positions.
- Scientific credibility, meaning technologies that have demonstrated proof of concept and ideally have received grants or published in peer-reviewed journals.