Dedicated to Solving Critical Healthcare Challenges
Through Early-Stage MedTech Innovation
About
One Six 8 Ventures is a venture capital fund focused on early-stage Medical Technology companies tackling critical healthcare inefficiencies that cost lives. Our mission is to identify and back exceptional entrepreneurs developing solutions that fundamentally improve patient outcomes and create substantial market value. We maintain a disciplined focus on specific sub-sectors within MedTech where our deep domain expertise allows us to identify unique opportunities.
Our team brings a combination of hands-on operational leadership from scaled VC-backed MedTech and life sciences companies and disciplined financial stewardship from C-suite roles, built over nearly two decades in the industry. This allows us not only to conduct rigorous due diligence but also to actively partner with our portfolio companies post-investment. We provide strategic guidance and operational support, fundamental to navigating challenges, preserving capital, and accelerating growth towards market leadership.
THE TEAM
The One Six 8 Ventures team comprises seasoned operators and executives with deep roots in scaling VC-backed life sciences companies over nearly two decades. We act as hands-on partners to our portfolio founders, providing strategic guidance and support grounded in extensive industry experience. Learn more about our team below:
Judyanna Yu
Managing Partner
CFO, Providence Therapeutics
CFO & COO, Restem Biotech
CFO, Biochem Group
VP Corporate Finance, Cerecin
Health business entrepreneur
Previous: Manning Elliott LLP, KPMG, Auditor General of Alberta
Board, BioAlberta
Board, Pharmsky Research
Charles Stacey, MD, MBA
Operating Partner
President & CEO, Cerecin
Inventages Venture Capital ($1.5B AUM)
Orthopaedics and trauma surgeon in London
Medtech entrepreneur
Board of Governors, Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs
Ankang Li, PhD, JD, CFA
CFO, CSO and Executive Director, Brii Biosciences
CEO, TSB Therapeutics
CFO, Terns Pharmaceutical
Executive Director, Healthcare Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs,
BD Director, Merck,
Associate at Davis Polk, Ropes & Gray
Entrepreneur
We deeply respect the entrepreneur’s driving innovation in MedTech. Bringing transformative ideas to life demands immense dedication – challenging established norms and often requiring significant personal sacrifice.
As experienced founders ourselves, along with having served as operators within VC-backed MedTech companies, we truly understand the complexities and pressures of your journey because we've lived it from multiple angles. We appreciate the commitment it takes.
Our Focus
One Six 8 Ventures partners specifically with early-stage MedTech companies. We seek exceptional entrepreneurs developing novel solutions designed to fundamentally improve patient outcomes and advance healthcare. If this describes your venture, we would welcome the opportunity to learn more.
How We Partner: More Than Just Capital
We know building a successful MedTech company takes more than funding. Leveraging our team's nearly two decades of direct industry experience as founders, operators, and executives, we provide active partnership through:
- Strategic & Operational Guidance: Tap into our collective experience – combining hands-on operational know-how with C-suite strategic perspective – for practical advice on navigating complex industry landscapes, refining strategy, building teams, and overcoming hurdles unique to MedTech.
- Network Access & Resource Connection: Utilize our extensive global network – connecting you with industry experts, clinicians, potential commercial partners, and specialized resources critical for regulatory, IP, or clinical trial success.
- Commercialization & Global Expansion Support: Draw on our first-hand experience launching products and navigating international markets to help develop effective go-to-market strategies and scale effectively.
We are committed partners focused on helping you build an impactful, market-leading company. If you're an early-stage MedTech founder looking for experienced partners who genuinely understand the founder's journey and the demands of building an early-stage company, let's connect.