Startup to Advance Research Tools Development and Add Jobs
ST. LOUIS – Canopy Biosciences has exceeded its Series A financing goal, closing a $2.4 million investment to develop new research tools, commercialize its cutting-edge products, and hire additional employees. BioGenerator, the investment arm of BioSTL, and Kingdom Capital co-led the multi-million-dollar deal.
Canopy Biosciences is a fast-growing research tools company focusing on gene editing and expression analysis. The company seeks out advanced technologies for commercialization of high-tech products and services in the research tools space. Research tools have minimal development time and no regulatory risk.
Canopy is one of St. Louis’ quickest-to-market life sciences companies. Operating out of the BioGenerator Labs, the company was founded by two BioGenerator Entrepreneurs in Residence, Edward Weinstein and David Smoller, along with former BioGenerator investment analyst Crystal Winkeler.
In its current Series A, Canopy has raised $750,000 from Kingdom Capital and $575,000 from BioGenerator, increasing BioGenerator’s cumulative investment into the company to $875,000. The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC), PinPoint Holdings, Greenleaf Fund, and Arch Angels also contributed to this round. Canopy has raised a total of $3.4 million since its inception in September 2016.
“Canopy has proven a rapid path to revenue with its launch of four product lines and two services just within the past year,” said Charlie Bolten, BioGenerator Vice President and Canopy Board Member. “Canopy has an exceptionally strong team and will use additional funding to continue licensing technologies that improve human health. It’s why we are thrilled that Kingdom Capital is bringing more private capital to the region to advance early-stage St. Louis innovation, like Canopy.”
As part of Kingdom Capital’s investment, Preston Keller, VP of Health & Medical, was added to Canopy’s Board.
“Our investment in Canopy shows our confidence in a cutting-edge research tools company using a proven business model and executive team,” Keller said. “We also are honored to be co-leading the investment round with BioGenerator, which has proven to be a key building block to the bioscience community.” 2
“This is Kingdom Capital’s inaugural venture investment in the St. Louis startup community,” said Brandon Mann, Kingdom Capital Managing Partner and CEO. “We are blessed to have this opportunity to support Canopy, which complements our strategy of transforming research to products and services that will have a direct impact on the healthcare system and patients’ quality of life.”
Canopy’s lead technology is licensed through Washington University in St. Louis. Outside of the U.S., Canopy currently has customers in Europe, India, Japan, and South Korea.
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About Canopy Biosciences
Canopy Biosciences was formed in 2016, partnering with leading research institutions to turn their discoveries into tangible products and make them available to the entire research community. Canopy Biosciences is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and serves researchers at universities, research institutions and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
About BioGenerator
BioGenerator, the investment arm of BioSTL, produces a sustained pipeline of successful bioscience companies and entrepreneurs in St. Louis by creating, growing and investing in promising new enterprises. Visit www.BioGenerator.org for additional information, and follow us on LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/BioGenerator and Twitter @BioGeneratorSTL.
About Kingdom Capital
Kingdom Capital is a values-driven private investment and stewardship firm based in St. Louis. Founded in 2016 by David Steward and Brandon Mann, Kingdom Capital invests in early stage health and medical technologies, as well as mature companies. Kingdom Capital’s relationships across the healthcare market is rooted in its core values – abbreviated SHIELD for Service, Humanity, Integrity, Excellence, Love, and Diversity – which are foundational to accelerate commercialization, growth, and maximizing returns for philanthropic purposes.