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Jenny Rooke is a Managing Director at Genoa Ventures, specializing in early-stage investments in life science and health technology. She holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics and has a strong background in scientific innovation and venture capital.
Jenny Rooke invests in early-stage companies across life sciences and health technology. Her focus areas include biotechnology, diagnostics, therapeutics, genomics, and synthetic biology, particularly those addressing significant health challenges.
Jenny Rooke works as a Managing Director at Genoa Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on investing in transformative life science and health technology companies.
Jenny Rooke is the Founder and Managing Director of Genoa Ventures, a San Francisco Bay Area venture capital firm investing at the convergence of technology, hardware, and synthetic biology. Before establishing her current firm, she served as a Senior Program Officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an investor at Fidelity Biosciences, and a management consultant at McKinsey and Company. She also previously managed the highest-performing life sciences syndicate on AngelList before successfully closing Genoa Ventures' $84 million Fund II in October 2021. Her investment portfolio features early backing of prominent biotechnology companies like Caribou Biosciences and Zymergen, which both completed initial public offerings. Rooke supports her strategy with a PhD in Genetics from Yale University, a BS in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and service on the Jackson Laboratory Board of Trustees.
Jenny Rooke stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as a Managing Director at Genoa Ventures. In this pivotal role, she spearheads early-stage investments in the dynamic fields of life science and health technology. Her leadership at Genoa Ventures is characterized by a keen eye for scientific innovation and a strategic approach to identifying companies poised for significant impact in human health.
Rooke's investment focus is broad yet deeply specialized, encompassing areas such as biotechnology, advanced diagnostics, novel therapeutics, genomics, and synthetic biology. She is particularly drawn to companies that leverage cutting-edge scientific discoveries to address critical unmet medical needs and transform healthcare delivery. Her portfolio reflects a commitment to supporting founders who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, from developing new ways to detect diseases early to engineering biological systems for therapeutic benefit.
Before her tenure at Genoa Ventures, Jenny Rooke built an impressive career foundation rooted in both scientific rigor and entrepreneurial drive. She holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Stanford University, providing her with a profound understanding of the scientific underpinnings of her investment areas. Her journey includes significant experience as a Partner at F-Prime Capital, where she honed her skills in venture investing and company building. Rooke's background as an entrepreneur further distinguishes her, offering founders a unique perspective from someone who has navigated the challenges of scaling scientific ventures firsthand. This blend of scientific expertise, operational experience, and investment acumen makes her a highly sought-after partner for ambitious startups.
Throughout her career, Jenny Rooke has been instrumental in the growth of several groundbreaking companies. Notable investments include GRAIL, a company focused on early cancer detection; Freenome, which develops blood tests for early cancer detection and treatment selection; Verana Health, a leader in real-world evidence for neurology; Synthego, a genome engineering company; and TMRW Life Sciences, innovating in automated cryobanking for fertility. These investments underscore her ability to identify and nurture companies that are not only scientifically sound but also possess strong commercial potential. Her dedication to fostering innovation and supporting visionary founders continues to shape the future of life sciences and health technology.
