On the TechTO stage ×1
First seen on the TechTO stage in 2021. Every talk is searchable — ask the archive about Shervin ↗
In their words
We had a thesis that software can help scientists be more productive. The software tools scientists use are often terrible.
There's some attribute which allows that relationship to gel very quickly. Therefore you don't need to endlessly meet with generalist investors before.
Quick answers
Who is Shervin Ghaemmaghami?
An operating partner at F-Prime Capital, the venture arm of Fidelity. He joined in 2012 to help start the firm's technology fund after beginning his venture career at Polaris Partners, and before that held operating roles at The Atlantic and MIT spinouts and consulted at McKinsey.
What does he invest in?
F-Prime lists his interests as scientific tools (Benchling, BenchSci, Albert), engineering platforms (ReadMe, Codeship, Cloudant) and fintech infrastructure (Recurly, Tradier, Flywire). He told TechTO he tends to come in from seed through Series B, but that the firm will go earlier or much later.
What is his connection to Canadian tech?
F-Prime led the US$22-million Series B into Toronto's BenchSci in 2020. On TechTO's Founders & Funding podcast in June 2021 he and BenchSci CEO Liran Belenzon told both sides of that deal — including that BenchSci nearly declined the first meeting, on the assumption F-Prime had backed a competitor.