xFund

xFund is an early-stage venture capital firm formed as a partnership between several venture firms and research universities in the United States and abroad. It looks for founders with a curious mind and the ability to carry an idea through.

What xFund offers

• Early-stage investment — funding for founders at the beginning of a company.
• Network access — a group of venture investors, university faculty and industry advisers.
• Strategic help — brokering partnerships and, in one example it gives, helping place a Nobel laureate on a board.
• Practical support — working through problems alongside the founding team.

Who it works with

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and self-taught entrepreneurs. It does not limit itself to a single sector; past investments range from a musical headset and data analytics firms to a social television company and a personal genomics business.

Key facts

• Stage: Early stage
• Belief: Technical talent is necessary but not enough to build durable companies