HEKA - Where Tech meets Brain Science
Heka is the first fund that invests in next-gen BrainTech in Europe and the United States.
Brain Capital
The world is increasingly relying on brain capital, where a premium is put on brain skills and brain health. Through its investments and support, HEKA contributes to strengthening and rebuilding of brain health.
The fund builds on the Brain Capital approach. The BrainTech startups in which Heka invests connect science and technology to bring bliss and resilience to people.
Supported solutions leverage scientific results in the fields of mental health and substance use, neurology, neuroscience, adolescence, education, the future of work, creativity and innovation, and brain performance, particularly in late life and early childhood.
A fertile ground for innovation
Innovative solutions are emerging thanks to new diagnostic tools, such as the ones resulting from the identification of biomarkers that can now measure what impacts our brain.
The wealth of digitally collected data and breakthrough in AI algorithms can be used to recommend efficient solutions, therapeutic innovations ranging from biotherapies to probiotics, an easier access to psychotherapy via digital technology, and more.
The diversity of fields of intervention for HEKA is immense as startups are multiplying on the subject.
A portfolio of 20+ BrainTech leaders
HEKA has the ambition to finance and build global Brain Capital Startup champions.
The startups will be sourced in the European Union (70%), Switzerland, the Nordics, Israel (5%), and the USA (25%). The portfolio will be built over five years and will consist of 20 to 25 companies.
The fund will invest on all topics of the BrainTech sector. HEKA will make the initial investment at Seed and Series A stages, and will continue supporting the startups through selective follow-ons.
Our ambition is to help our portfolio companies expand to the USA, thanks to our dedicated team in Palo Alto, our wide US network and our Road to the USA refined method.
Interested in investing in HEKA?
A unique scientific partnership with the FondaMental Foundation
HEKA relies on a unique investment process leveraging the finest from both scientific rigor and investment best practices.
The partnership with the FondaMental Foundation opens access to a wealth of scientific expertise for Heka's team and its community. Scientific experts will inform investment decisions and help support start-ups. The quality of the scientific evaluation is unmatched for a VC fund.
Heka's strategic orientations will be discussed by a supervisory board involving exceptional members, each of them expert in a specific field - Science, Industry, Policy, Innovation.
- Study: Brain and nutrition - the new challenges for innovation
- Study: Brain Computer Interface - an investor perspective
- Study: Pychedelics - an investor perspective
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HEKA is an impact fund built on purpose to increase positive externalities in the Brain Capital area
and an ESG sustainable investing product classified as "Article 9" under the European SFDR regulations.
This comes with strong commitments
Sustainable Development Goal - SDG 3.4: Good Health and well-being
Over 80% of invested companies’s revenues will contribute to Good Health and well-being, as defined within United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals:
“By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.”
The three main non-communicable diseases are dementia, stroke and depression.
Focused on ESG “social” aspect
✔ Thorough ESG assessment through a dedicated scoring tool.
✔ Principal Adverse Impacts and Do No Significant Harm principles
of the OECD and the UN
✔ Discussion with target companies around relevant KPIs and
post-closing ESG commitments.
✔ Collection of extra-financial data, KPIs monitoring, SFDR reporting.
✔ Responsible shareholder practices and support to our founders on
ESG & Impact areas.