Trillium’s role in UTSF companies:

Since we invest at such an early stage, most of the companies we talk to and that we invest in still have many "business gaps" that need to be filled. Some entrepreneurs such as university professors come to us with only a story about the technology and a general vision of its market potential. No opportunity analysis has been conducted and there is no business plan. Some entrepreneurial teams come to us with a very "skinny" opportunity analysis and business plan. Some entrepreneurial teams come to us with a strong presentation and business plan but an incomplete management team. Almost all the entrepreneurial teams come to us with little or no experience in raising professional venture follow-on financing.

Therefore, we get much more involved in early company formation than "regular" venture capitalists. We might assist in conducting a professional business assessment and developing a robust business plan. We frequently work with teams in developing a strategy roadmap to full commercialization. We might act as defacto or interim company managers for a while or we can help in assembling an acting management team. In all cases, we help capitalize the company past the seed round. Generally series A funding is secured through sources in our venture capital network.

At all times we are committed to ensuring company success. We support the entrepreneurs in recruiting a permanent management team, a scientific advisory board, and a board of directors, on which we generally occupy a seat.

Even after the company is funded and operating with its permanent managers, we continue to provide business consultation as needed to secure and advance the company's competitive position in the marketplace.