Scalpel Ventures – Harnessing Avestor’s Customizable Fund® for Smarter Healthcare VC Investments

Emerging fund managers often face the structural pressure of traditional venture capital models: raising large amounts of capital upfront, deploying it within a short timeframe, and keeping pace with investor expectations. This “raise fast, deploy fast” model can push managers to make rushed decisions and back suboptimal deals. Selene and Saket wanted to avoid this trap. They envisioned a more patient, deliberate approach—investing only in the highest-quality healthcare startups after rigorous due diligence, without the clock ticking on capital deployment.

Avestor’s Customizable Fund® model offered the flexibility Scalpel Ventures needed. Instead of forcing investors into every deal, the fund operates under one umbrella where each investor chooses whether to participate in individual opportunities. This structure provides:

• A single fund entity covering multiple deals, reducing administrative burden.
• Deal-by-deal investor choice, giving LPs control and transparency.
• Flexible capital deployment, allowing Scalpel to invest at the right time instead of rushing.
• Streamlined investor onboarding and efficient fund operations through Avestor’s platform.

Since adopting this model, Scalpel Ventures has successfully executed its first investments, including Oxford Performance Materials, a pioneer in 3D-printed orthopedic implants, and Artelon, a regenerative medicine company that delivered a 5× return in just 11 months. LPs appreciate the transparency and control of choosing their deals, while Selene and Saket are free from the pressures of traditional fund timelines. The combination of patient capital, sector expertise, and strong investor alignment has enabled Scalpel Ventures to build a portfolio of high-impact healthcare startups with early, strong returns.