The initiative is a pilot program aimed at strategically spinning off technology-based companies from the Laboratory with emphasis on establishing new businesses in Northern New Mexico. The partners will negotiate an agreement with a contribution by the Laboratory valued at up to $1 million over three years, and a contribution of time and effort from the combined ARCH-Verge team of 20 investment professionals, including 8 located in New Mexico.
ARCH Venture Partners is a venture capital firm in existence since 1989 with more than $1.5 billion total capital under management, and Verge Fund is an Albuquerque-based venture capital fund that invests in seed-stage, high-growth ventures in New Mexico.
"The Venture Acceleration Initiative is an innovative program in a comprehensive Laboratory strategy to increase the impact of our cross-cutting R&D in creating technology jobs in the regional economy," said Duncan McBranch, LANL's Science, Technology, and Engineering Directorate deputy principal associate director. "We are excited to partner with ARCH and Verge in this initiative because they have an unmatched combination of national reach, local depth, and a sustained track record of excellence in fostering new company growth in New Mexico."
For more information about the LAVA Initiative, contact Belinda Padilla at 505-667-9896, or bee@lanl.gov.
About ARCH
ARCH Venture Partners is a leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm that operates nationally with offices in Austin, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, and Albuquerque. ARCH manages over $1.5 billion in capital.
About Verge Fund
Verge Fund is a seed and pre-seed venture capital fund, investing in promising New Mexico technology opportunities. With over 80 years experience as investors and operators, the six Verge Fund partners work closely with entrepreneurs and technologists to develop promising opportunities in successful commercial ventures.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.