E106: Keara Sauber: Sauber Capital

Welcome back to the Female VC Lab Podcast! In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Keara Sauber, CEO of Sauber Capital. Keara shared her journey into venture capitalism, her investment thesis, and her thoughts on the future of the industry. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation.

Who is Keara Sauber?

Keara Sauber has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and technology sectors. She began her career in big pharma, driven by a passion for making impactful changes in healthcare. Her focus areas include:

Biotech
Diagnostics
Women's health
Health and wellness

Keara's Investment Thesis

Keara's investment philosophy is rooted in her commitment to healthcare innovation. Her approach encompasses two main arms:

Venture Investments: Targeting seed to Series A funding for startups.
Growth Capital: Investing in revenue-generating companies that are not necessarily in life sciences.

Key Focus Areas

Biotech and Diagnostics: Keara emphasizes investing in companies that innovate at the intersection of cutting-edge science and impactful healthcare solutions.
Women's Health: She is particularly passionate about supporting female founders who are addressing critical healthcare needs.

The Longevity Space

Keara expressed her interest in the longevity sector, highlighting the importance of understanding the difference between health span and lifespan. She is currently exploring:

Inflammatory markers: Keara believes inflammation is a critical factor in many health issues and is focused on preventative diagnostics.
Breakthroughs in longevity: With the FDA recognizing longevity as a therapeutic category, Keara sees opportunities for innovation and collaboration in this space.

Evolving Landscape of Venture Capital

When asked about the future of venture capital, Keara shared her insights on how the industry is likely to evolve over the next two years:

Specialization: A shift towards more specialized funds focusing on specific sectors, such as diagnostics and biotech.
Collaboration: Increased cooperation between venture capitalists, private equity funds, and investment bankers to support portfolio companies better.
Diverse Funding Options: A need for venture funds to explore alternative financial instruments, such as debt, to avoid excessive dilution for founders.

Best Practices for Women in Leadership

Keara emphasized the importance of women supporting women in leadership roles. Here are her key recommendations:

Check-in on Each Other: Simple questions like "How are you doing today?" can foster collaboration and support.
Be Honest: Sharing your true status can lead to more powerful collaborations.

The Importance of Understanding Capital Structures

Keara highlighted that founders seeking venture capital should understand the balance sheets and where the money comes from. She pointed out that:

Venture funds are not just sitting on capital: They have responsibilities to their investors and must adhere to specific criteria.
Founders should do their homework: Understanding the fund's investment thesis can save time and effort in the fundraising process.

Looking Ahead

As we wrapped up our conversation, Keara expressed excitement about the future of venture capital, particularly regarding:

Robotics and AI: The potential for innovation in these fields is significant, and Keara is eager to see how they will evolve.
Collaboration and Inclusion: Keara believes that fostering a more inclusive environment will lead to more robust and sustainable business practices.

Conclusion

Keara Sauber's insights provide a valuable perspective on the evolving landscape of venture capital, particularly for women in the industry. By focusing on collaboration, understanding capital structures, and supporting female founders, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future.

For more insights, make sure to listen to the full episode on the Female VC Lab Podcast. You can also connect with Keara on LinkedIn to stay updated on her journey and insights in the venture capital space.