Jenny Rooke
Jenny Rooke is the Founder and Managing Director of Genoa Ventures, where she leverages her unique toolkit of genetics domain expertise, strategic business acumen, and venture investing to launch and empower the next generation of category-defying companies at the convergence of technology and biology. She has nearly two decades of investing experience beginning at Fidelity Biosciences in 2006 as a Kauffman Fellow. After Fidelity, Jenny helped establish the investing function at the Gates Foundation funding companies in genetic engineering, diagnostics, and synthetic biology. Jenny started what would become Genoa Ventures in 2014 using the largest life sciences syndicate on AngelList and achieving one of the highest-performing AngelList syndicates in any sector. Jenny’s investments and board seats at Genoa include Intabio (acquired by Danaher Sciex), InterVenn, Aqtual, Meiogenix, and BrightSpec. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Jackson Laboratory. Her prior investments include Zymergen (IPO), Caribou (IPO), Accuri (acquired by Becton Dickinson), and Topaz (acquired by Sanofi). Prior to her investing career, Jenny was a management consultant with McKinsey focused on the pharma and biotech sectors. She also served in executive management roles at U.S. Genomics leading Corporate Development and Research and Development. Jenny has a BS in Physics from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Genetics from Yale University.
Genoa Ventures
Cracking the Capital Code: Rethinking Investment in Synthetic Biology
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Despite the promise of synthetic biology, defining robust and repeatable investable theses in the space, particularly industrial bio applications, has proven largely elusive for early-stage venture investors. Dr. Jenny Rooke presents original research on capital formation in synthetic biology, from company formation to exit. Through case studies, she will surface common pitfalls and key success factors, such as the outsized importance of effective leadership in synbio ventures. She will share how these insights are shaping Genoa Ventures’ evolving investment theses. The talk draws lessons from adjacent industries with more established investing playbooks to explore how synthetic biology startups and their investors can chart workable, win-win capital journeys.
Investor Luncheon – Strategic Perspectives on the Evolving Capital Landscape
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This invite-only luncheon brings together a curated group of investors to explore the evolving financial landscape shaping biotech and synthetic biology. Hosted at SynBioBeta 2025, the event offers a unique opportunity to connect with capital allocators and venture capitalists navigating today’s high-stakes funding environment. In addition to high-level networking, the luncheon will feature a panel conversation titled Strategic Perspectives on the Evolving Capital Landscape. Moderated by TD Securities, the session will examine how investment strategies are adapting in response to tighter funding conditions, rising interest rates, and shifting exit dynamics. Joining the conversation are Jenny Rooke (Genoa Ventures), Joško Bobanović (Sofinnova Partners), and Karl Handelsman (Codon Capital)—three seasoned investors with deep insight into the capital flows shaping the future of biotech. Together, they will share what they're seeing on the ground, how they’re thinking about risk and opportunity, and what founders need to know to raise in this environment. https://lu.ma/bol859y4
