Investment Portfolio
Companies backed by Ben Pouladian
I invest at the intersection of AI, biotech, and enabling infrastructure. My focus is on founders building technologies that don’t just iterate—they fundamentally change how we work, think, and solve problems. I invest through BEP Holdings and as an LP in select funds. Investment range: $100K–$5M with a sweet spot around $1.5M for direct investments.
Active Investments
Current portfolio companies where I serve as investor, advisor, or board member.
Terray Therapeutics
AI-driven drug discovery using massive parallel chemistry. Terray has raised over $200M to apply machine learning to accelerate the historically slow process of finding new medicines. Their platform combines automated experimentation with computational modeling to explore chemical space at unprecedented scale.
VistaPath Biosystems
Modernizing pathology labs using machine augmentation and computer vision. Despite informing a majority of clinical decisions, anatomical pathology still prepares samples for diagnosis manually. VistaPath’s Workflow Management System relieves highly paid technicians from manual tissue processing, improving both efficiency and accuracy.
Omeat
Pioneering scalable cultivated meat production. Founded by renowned tissue biologist Dr. Ali Khademhosseini in Los Angeles, Omeat uses a proprietary process that harnesses regenerative factors within cow plasma to foster cell growth—creating a cost-effective alternative to fetal bovine serum. Based in LA, currently building a pilot plant toward commercial readiness.
Diadem Biotherapeutics
Developing platform technologies to genetically engineer, manufacture, and purify cell-free vesicles that can control immune cell activation. Their first-in-class modality has potential to treat a range of immunopathologies including inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancers.
Needle
AI-powered enterprise search and knowledge management. Serving as investor and advisor to help the team navigate go-to-market and scale.
Onfleet
Last-mile delivery management software. Onfleet makes it easy for businesses to manage and analyze delivery operations through a web dashboard, APIs, driver apps, and customer notifications with real-time tracking. Has raised over $40M and serves thousands of businesses globally.
accSenSe
SaaS-based identity management services are the “front door” to any organization. Services from Okta, AzureAD, Google Identity are foundational but represent a single point of failure. accSenSe provides backup and resilience for identity infrastructure—protecting against outages and ensuring data integrity.
VasoGnosis
Developing advanced vascular monitoring technology for improved patient outcomes.
WorkerSense
Connected worker platform improving safety and productivity in industrial environments through sensor technology and real-time monitoring.
Fund Investments
AiSprouts VC
Limited Partner in this AI-focused venture fund. AiSprouts provides capital, technology, and business services to AI-driven startups with partnerships across academia, industry, and other investors. The fund focuses on seed-stage AI companies with strong technical differentiation.
Exited Investments
IMGN Media
Digital media brand that grew to reach millions of users. Acquired by Warner Music Group for approximately $100M. IMGN demonstrated the power of social-first media brands in reaching young audiences through authentic, engaging content.
Board & Advisory Roles
Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation
The Terasaki Institute works to invent and foster practical solutions that restore or enhance health. Founded by legendary transplant immunologist Dr. Paul Terasaki, the institute focuses on personalized medicine, biomaterials, smart devices, and regenerative health. I help bridge research and commercialization, bringing an operator’s perspective to translating science into products.
Investment Approach
I look for what I call “asymmetric opportunities”—situations where smart technology and good strategy can create outsized impact. My evaluation process includes market analysis, technology assessment, team evaluation, and scalability potential. I also consider ESG factors and long-term sustainability.
My background as a founder and operator shapes how I work with portfolio companies. I spent fourteen years building Deco Lighting from startup to $100M+ in revenue. That experience taught me about inventory risk, manufacturing, supply chains, and the gap between elegant engineering and shipped product. I try to bring that practical perspective to the companies I back.
Geographic focus: I’m especially passionate about the Los Angeles startup ecosystem. LA has untapped talent and innovation, and I’ve made it a mission to help build up both the tech and life sciences infrastructure here.
Memberships
YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) – Beverly Hills Chapter. YPO is a global network of chief executives connected around becoming better leaders through education and idea exchange. Member since 2015.