Johnathan Matlock
Founder of Empirical Ventures
Johnathan Matlock
Founder of Empirical Ventures
Bedford, England
Overview
Work Experience
Co-Founder
2024 - Current
Empirical Ventures leads pre-seed and seed rounds for deep science startups that are creating century-defining technologies. (Formerly Science Angel Syndicate)
Board Observer and Advisor
2022
QV Bioelectronics’ revolutionary EFT implant, GRACE, is currently in pre-clinical development. Their first-of-its-kind technology aims to target dividing cancer cells within the brain, without affecting healthy cells. Implantable bioelectronics is at the forefront of emerging healthcare technology, combining the use of cutting-edge materials and interdisciplinary science. QV Bioelectronics are pioneering its use in cancer care. Their first clinical indication for GRACE will be the most aggressive and deadly primary brain tumour, Glioblastoma (GBM), which has some of the worst outcomes of any cancer. Their technology strives to provide longer, better quality lives for these patients.
Board Observer and Advisor
2022
CheMastery aims to revolutionise the way chemical research and manufacture are done by vastly increasing the efficiency of small to medium scale chemical production. This is achieved by solving the most pressing chemistry issues; repetitive manual labour, cost/time efficiency, irreproducibility and scale up issues. These affect 90% of all chemistry globally and waste up to 80% of project resources.
Advisory Board Member
2022
Elbow Beach Capital is a private investment company focused on decarbonisation, sustainable energy, and social impact businesses. They support exceptional founders and their teams in scaling their businesses through capital investments, coupled with ESG and go-to-market expertise. They back innovative entrepreneurs who are building businesses that will have a positive impact on our planet and society.
Non Executive Director
2022
Glaia are commercialising a new-generation of biostimulants that when applied to the roots or leaves of staple and horticultural crops enhances photosynthetic efficiency, increasing harvests by up to 40%, without increasing fertilisers or other climate unfriendly inputs. Glaia is initially focusing on hydroponic tomatoes and strawberries, where we estimate the added value could initially result in a fivefold return on investment for the growers
Board Observer and Advisor
2021
GenomeKey[Dx] A next-gen IVD device. Their device detects bacteria, identifies it, and provides a full AMR profile directly from patient blood, in only hours - Funded by CARB-X
Non Executive Director
2020
Argonaute RNA are addressing cardiovascular disease, the world’s biggest killer with unique, superior gene silencing.
Co-Founder
2021 - 2024
Science Angel Syndicate sources world-class scientific discoveries, provides unique scientific due diligence and helps our members to identify exceptional investment opportunities. Our collective knowledge helps our members invest in the most exciting companies of tomorrow, founded by leading scientists at the forefront of their fields. We aim to discover companies that will grow rapidly and tackle the most important global challenges. (Now Empirical Ventures)
Advisor
2020 - 2023
The Ascension Life Fund is an early-stage HealthTech and Life Sciences fund focussing on post-seed UK investments. The fund combines the domain expertise of the Investment Team and Advisors with Ascension’s reputation, operational experience and track record.
Board Observer and Advisor
2021 - 2023
WASE are a modular bioenergy production and wastewater treatment company developing a waste to energy solution for food and drink manufacturers. WASE believe their modular approach ensures customers have the optimal waste treatment capacity on site. By generating energy from wastewater treatment they will enable the food and beverage industry to generate energy onsite, reducing operational cost and improving profitability whilst supporting them to become more self-sustaining.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2010 - 2014
Master of Chemistry
2006 - 2010