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Key people at Seaside Ventures.
Seaside Ventures operates as a venture capital firm, investing in and partnering with innovators to develop scalable solutions for health challenges. The firm focuses on bridging scientific validation with commercialization, specifically targeting science-driven consumer health technologies. Its investment thesis centers on "Medicine 3.0," prioritizing proactive, preventative, personalized, and accessible healthcare.
Founded in 2021 by managing partners Harrison Valner and Ryan Roddy, Seaside Ventures emerged from the insight that the prevailing healthcare system is reactive and fragmented. Valner and Roddy leverage their collective sector experience to bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and impactful real-world applications, supporting founders in commercialization and scaling their ventures.
The firm targets early-stage startups developing solutions that address root causes of health issues. Seaside Ventures’ long-term vision is to reshape the future of healthcare, fostering a healthier society by empowering individuals through innovative, science-backed technologies.
Seaside Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2021 that specializes in early-stage investments in science-driven consumer health technologies[1][3]. Based in Boulder, Colorado, the firm operates across North America and Europe, with a mission to elevate the mental and physical well-being of over a billion people globally by transforming scientific breakthroughs into accessible, scalable solutions[1][3].
The firm's investment philosophy centers on what it calls "Medicine 3.0"—a shift from today's reactive, fragmented healthcare system toward proactive, preventative care powered by innovation[4]. Rather than simply treating symptoms, Seaside targets startups that address root causes of health challenges through defensible, proprietary science and technology[4]. The firm invests across pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with typical check sizes ranging from $250,000 to $250,000 USD[1]. Beyond capital deployment, Seaside positions itself as a strategic partner, helping founders refine business models, optimize operations, and execute go-to-market strategies that bridge the gap between scientific validation and commercial success[1][3].
Seaside Ventures was established in 2021 by Harrison Valner and Ryan Roddy, who serve as Founding and Managing Partners[5]. The firm emerged at a pivotal moment in healthcare innovation, when the limitations of the existing system—rising chronic disease rates, declining mental health outcomes, and fragmented access to quality care—created urgency for consumer-driven solutions[4]. With over 27 years of combined experience in the health technology space, Valner and Roddy built Seaside with the explicit goal of democratizing health through innovation, leveraging their extensive networks and operational expertise to support founders navigating the complex path from scientific validation to market commercialization[1][4].
The firm's founding coincided with growing investor appetite for preventative health technologies and consumer wellness solutions, positioning Seaside to capitalize on both market timing and the founders' deep domain expertise. Since inception, the firm has invested in more than 22 companies and collaborates with over 75 strategic partners, demonstrating rapid scaling and ecosystem integration[1].
Seaside's defining characteristic is its rigorous focus on defensible, proprietary science and technology[4]. Unlike generalist venture firms, Seaside explicitly requires that portfolio companies leverage validated scientific breakthroughs or proprietary innovations that offer clear market advantages. This filters for founders solving genuine health challenges at their source rather than incremental improvements to existing solutions.
The firm goes beyond traditional venture capital by embedding itself in portfolio company operations from the ground floor[4]. Seaside provides targeted support across commercialization strategy, business model refinement, go-to-market execution, strategic partnership development, and brand building. This hands-on approach reflects the founders' belief that scientific validation alone is insufficient—the gap between breakthrough and market adoption requires active operational guidance.
Seaside's portfolio includes notable companies like Plan A (non-hormonal male contraception), Somnee Sleep (smart sleep headband), ZBiotics (genetically engineered probiotic), and Strive (AI-driven sepsis management)[3]. The firm has already achieved portfolio exits, including the acquisition of Aura Bora in February 2025, demonstrating early-stage validation of its investment thesis and ability to guide companies to successful outcomes[6].
By focusing on the $4.5 trillion healthcare market through consumer health technologies, Seaside targets a sector with structural tailwinds, regulatory clarity (relative to pharmaceutical development), and proven consumer willingness to pay for quality-of-life improvements[3].
Seaside Ventures operates at the intersection of three powerful trends: the consumerization of healthcare, the rise of precision health technologies, and the shift toward preventative medicine. The firm is riding a wave of scientific breakthroughs in areas like neurotechnology, synthetic biology, and AI-driven diagnostics that were previously confined to academic labs or pharmaceutical companies. By focusing on consumer-accessible applications of these breakthroughs, Seaside is helping democratize health innovation and reduce the traditional barriers between research and real-world impact.
The timing is particularly significant. Healthcare systems globally face mounting pressure from chronic disease burden, aging populations, and cost constraints. Simultaneously, consumer demand for personalized, preventative health solutions has accelerated post-pandemic. Seaside's focus on "Medicine 3.0"—empowering individuals to take control of their well-being through validated innovations—aligns with this broader ecosystem shift away from institutional, one-size-fits-all approaches.
Within the venture ecosystem, Seaside is helping establish a new category of health-tech investing that bridges traditional biotech rigor with venture-scale speed and consumer-friendly execution. By backing founders who combine scientific credibility with commercial ambition, the firm is influencing how the broader venture community evaluates health innovations and what operational support early-stage health companies require.
Seaside Ventures is well-positioned to become a defining voice in consumer health innovation over the next decade. The firm's combination of scientific rigor, operational expertise, and strategic positioning within a massive market creates a compelling formula for identifying and scaling transformative health companies.
Looking ahead, several trends will likely shape Seaside's trajectory. First, regulatory frameworks around consumer health technologies will continue to evolve, potentially creating both opportunities and constraints for portfolio companies. Second, the integration of AI and real-time data analytics into health solutions will accelerate, favoring firms like Seaside that can identify founders capable of leveraging these tools responsibly. Third, as consumer health becomes increasingly mainstream, competition for deal flow will intensify, making Seaside's established network and operational support model a key competitive advantage.
The firm's early exits and growing portfolio suggest it has cracked a difficult problem: identifying scientifically rigorous founders with commercial ambition and then providing the operational scaffolding to help them scale. If Seaside can maintain this discipline while expanding its fund size and geographic reach, it has the potential to become a top-tier player in health-tech venture capital—not merely deploying capital, but actively reshaping how scientific breakthroughs reach the billions of people who need them.
Key people at Seaside Ventures.
