Horizons Ventures Research
Investment Thesis
Horizons Ventures is a pioneering global venture capital firm founded in 2005 by Solina Chau, investing in deep science and disruptive technology companies that can propel humanity towards a radically better future. The firm operates with a mission to solve fundamental, universal problems—gender inequality, uneven wealth, poor health, climate adaptation—through investments in next-normal companies whose IP and ideas can create lasting impact.
The investment philosophy centers on identifying founders and businesses whose technological innovations address humanity's greatest challenges. Horizons seeks enterprising science and technology companies whose founders demonstrate vision, instinct, and drive to scale solutions with measurable impact.
Sector and Technology Focus
Horizons Ventures maintains a remarkably diversified portfolio spanning multiple sectors:
Core Investment Areas:
- Deep Science & Biotechnology: Therapeutic companies, genetic medicine, microbiome, regenerative medicine, cell therapy, protein engineering
- Healthcare Technology: AI-driven diagnostics, digital health platforms, medical practice operating systems, telehealth, bioelectronics
- Sustainable Technology: Clean energy (hydrogen, renewable materials), environmental solutions, sustainable materials, carbon management
- Food & Agriculture: Precision fermentation, alternative proteins, sustainable agriculture, alternative food sources
- AI & Machine Learning: AI infrastructure, natural language processing, computer vision, edge AI, bioelectronics powered by AI
- Materials Science: Biodegradable materials, bio-engineered proteins, synthetic biology, lab-grown materials
- Hardware & Infrastructure: Semiconductors, robotics, autonomous systems, aerospace
- Enterprise Software: Practice management systems, workforce optimization, automation
- Fintech & Financial Services: Digital banking, financial inclusion, investment platforms
- Consumer & Media: Gaming, entertainment, sports technology, education
Technology Tags: AI/ML, Computer Vision, Synthetic Biology, Biotech, Hardware
Stage Focus
Horizons Ventures invests across all stages, with particular emphasis on seed and early-stage companies:
- Pre-Seed & Seed: Majority of investments, supporting founders with early-stage technology
- Series A & Beyond: Selective follow-on investments in portfolio companies showing strong momentum
- Later Stages: Occasional investments in companies approaching scale
The firm is not stage-specific but rather founder and innovation-specific, willing to invest in exceptional teams at any stage.
Check Size & Investment Range
Typical Investment Range: $1M - $25M+
The firm's check sizes vary significantly by stage and company, ranging from smaller seed investments to multi-million dollar Series A and B rounds. Notable recent investments (2024-2025) include therapeutic and AI biotech companies.
Lead Tendency
Leads and Co-Leads: Horizons Ventures frequently leads rounds and takes board seats, but also participates as a co-investor in larger rounds. The firm demonstrates willingness to lead in areas where they have deep expertise and conviction.
Recent Activity & Fund Status
Current Fund Status: Actively Deploying
Horizons recently raised $350 million in new capital (January 2026), significantly expanding its deployment capacity. The firm is in an aggressive investment phase with recent partnerships and funding rounds demonstrating strong capital availability.
Recent Activity Timeline:
- January 2026: Raised $350M in new investment capital
- 2024-2025: Active investments in deep science, AI biotech, therapeutic companies
- Recent notable investments: Abalone Bio, CellVoyant, Kimia, Promise Robotics, Chemify, BioLoomics, Cauldron, Doctorly
Portfolio Highlights
Scale of Portfolio: 200-366 total investments demonstrating broad sector coverage
Notable Exits & Success Stories:
- DeepMind (acquired by Google) - AI research
- Skype (acquired by Microsoft) - Communications
- Spotify (IPO) - Music streaming
- Facebook (IPO) - Social media
- Siri (acquired by Apple) - Voice assistant
- Zoom (IPO) - Video conferencing
- Celsius (public) - Functional beverages
- Impossible Foods (unicorn) - Alternative protein
- Waze (acquired by Google) - Navigation
Team
Leadership: Solina Chau founded Horizons Ventures with deep connections to Li Ka-Shing family office network. The firm operates with two integrated teams: "Investing for Impact" and "Supporting to Scale."
The firm has 20+ investment professionals across global offices providing deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio support.
Geographic Focus
Global investment strategy with significant presence in:
- United States: Primary market, especially Silicon Valley and Boston biotech hubs
- United Kingdom: Deep science, materials, biotech
- Asia-Pacific: Australia, Indonesia, India, Hong Kong (regional hub)
- Europe: Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Canada
Founder Preferences
Horizons Ventures explicitly seeks founders and teams with:
- Vision for impact: Founders solving fundamental problems
- Technical depth: Deep domain expertise, especially in science, engineering, and technology
- Founder-market fit: Track record of building products, demonstrated domain knowledge
- First-principle thinking: Founders who challenge conventional approaches
- Global mindset: Willingness to build companies across borders
Summary
Horizons Ventures is a mature, globally-oriented impact-focused venture capital firm with deep roots in deep science, biotechnology, and transformative technology. With $350M in recent capital raised, a global portfolio of 200+ companies including unicorns like Zoom, Spotify, and Impossible Foods, and a team across 20+ investment professionals, Horizons represents one of the most successful deep-science venture investors globally.
The firm's commitment to solving fundamental human problems combined with conviction in technical founders and early-stage technology investment positions Horizons as a preferred partner for founders building the next generation of transformative companies.
Key Statistics: Founded 2005 | Portfolio: 200-366 companies | Recent Capital: $350M (Jan 2026) | Geographic Reach: 15+ countries | Team Size: 20+ professionals | AUM: $1B+