By Grace LeBleu
Over the past six months, I have perfected my 30-second elevator pitch.
Picture this: you’re a founder of a biotech company that is raising their seed round. You somehow got ahold of my email and, not expecting a response, decide to cold-email me. But I reply, and now we’re meeting on Zoom.
Before you dive into your groundbreaking product and the massive, untapped market you’re about to disrupt, I deliver my polished elevator pitch:
“My background is in clinical nutrition, and I’m a Registered Dietitian. I’m a 4th year PhD candidate studying Nutritional Biology at UC Davis, where my research focuses on the molecular and cellular development of metabolic diseases, specifically diabetes and its complications. I’m currently in a fellowship program with Better Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm with a mission to improve planetary and human health. Their investment thesis spans three main verticals: environmental sustainability, education and workforce, and human health, with a growing interest in nutrition, food-as-health, and longevity. They brought me on board to help evaluate scientific innovations in this space.”
Perfecting that elevator pitch might not seem like a Nobel-worthy accomplishment, but it encapsulates much of what I’ve gained from this fellowship. Behind those few carefully crafted sentences are months of learning to think like an investor, communicate across disciplines, and translate science into opportunity.
Learning the VC Playbook
And of course, the proof is in the pudding. I spent the past six months digging deep into deal sourcing by sifting through university spinouts, meeting founders at conferences, and trading notes with other investors. I spoke with dozens, if not hundreds, of founders. Out of that pipeline, I sourced Metabolic Psychiatry Labs, a standout example of the “food-as-medicine” approach to mental health, which ultimately led to an investment by Better Ventures. Another company I sourced is currently working its way through Better Ventures’ diligence process. While the investment isn’t finalized, it’s promising and a reminder that even with limited experience in business, I’m not completely out of place in the venture world.
Learning the Language of Venture
If you told me two years ago that I would be considering venture capital as a career following my PhD, I probably would have asked you what venture capital was. VC is infamous for its difficult-to-penetrate network of funders and founders. Unless you have an MBA, you’ve probably never even heard of VC, let alone considered it as a career. So, being the pragmatic scientist that I am, I never saw it as an option.
But this fellowship changed that as I was fully immersed in the world of VC. I learned the jargon, conducted market analyses, wrote deal memos, and sourced deals. It didn’t feel like a fellowship where you’re handed a project and sit in on a few meetings. I was working side-by-side with the Better Ventures team. It was here that I discovered the value scientists bring to business discussions, and I was delighted to be on this side of the conversation. Working alongside a team that centers their investment decision around a startup’s mission was a truly exceptional experience. As a certified B Corp, Better Ventures evaluates companies based on both their potential for impact and their potential for returns. It’s not only about the money.
My Big Leap
The fellowship also gave me the opportunity to travel around the country to half a dozen conferences and events. I was at the forefront of innovation, getting a real-time sense of where the food and nutrition markets are headed. I connected with the people shaping those markets: founders, scientists, and the investors backing them. These networking opportunities have forged meaningful relationships and collaboration opportunities that I am eager to advance. That elevator pitch really opened some doors… Ok, bad joke but stay tuned for some exciting updates soon!
Now, as I finish up my PhD, I’m continuing to work with Better Ventures. It’s a rare chance to stay close to a team and a mission I care deeply about, while applying my scientific background in a way that feels both engaging and impactful. More than anything, this experience has shown me that the boundaries between science, innovation, and business are far more fluid than I ever realized and that meaningful careers can take shape far beyond the lab.
