Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Averin Capital
About
David Berry is Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Averin Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on AI and breakthrough technologies transforming human health, including areas such as quantum computing and robotics. A physician, scientist, entrepreneur, and investor, he brings scientific and medical expertise together with experience building and leading companies.
Prior to Averin, David served as a General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, which he joined in 2005 and was named partner in 2008. Some of David's most notable companies include Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), Indigo Agriculture (#1 on the CNBC disruptor list in 2019), and Inari Agriculture (fastest unicorn in agriculture). He founded approximately 30 companies including 7 unicorns (1 decacorn). He served as CEO of over 10 companies.
David founded Valo Health and served as its CEO. At Valo, David raised over $500M and closed a $5.1B deal with Novo Nordisk. Valo went from a standing start to unicorn status in 15 months. Valo uses artificial intelligence and large-scale human data to transform the discovery and development of life-changing medicines.
As a leading innovator, David has received over 50 awards and honors including being selected as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, named to the PharmaVOICE 100 most inspiring people, and named one of 12 Innovators Reshaping Reality by the US State Department. He is one of four recipients of all major Technology Review innovation awards along with Mark Zuckerberg, Sergei Brin, and Larry Page.
David received his MD from Harvard Medical School and his PhD from MIT in Biological Engineering, completing both degrees through the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Division in just over 5 years—the fastest in the modern history of the program.
David has given over 500 invited keynote presentations on innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and medicine. He has 16 peer-reviewed publications and holds over 200 patents and applications.
David lives in Boston with his wife and two daughters.
Career
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
2024 - Present
Co-founded Averin to back and build companies using AI and breakthrough technologies, including quantum computing and robotics, to transform human health, drawing on scientific, medical, investing, and operating experience.
Founder & CEO
Founded Valo Health and raised over $500M. Closed a $5.1B deal with Novo Nordisk. Reached unicorn status in 15 months. Harnessed AI and human data to transform drug discovery and development.
General Partner
2005 - 2024
Founded approximately 30 companies including 7 unicorns (1 decacorn). Notable companies include Moderna, Seres Therapeutics, Indigo Agriculture, and Inari Agriculture. Built the energy practice, agriculture practice, and co-launched Venture Labs.
Insights
Essays and analysis on the frontier of health, technology, and investing.
17 published on Averin Capital
In Truth Rather Than Belief , David Berry explores how scientific consensus can limit innovation and why challenging established assumptions, following the data, and embracing unconventional ideas are essential to breakthrough discoveries.
Michael Hasselberg of Nebraska Medicine joins David Berry on Averin Insights to discuss in-house AI, technology partnerships, and the hospital of the…
What does it take to accelerate drug discovery without losing the scientific judgment that makes better medicines possible? I sit down with Andy Plump,…
What if the cost of developing a medicine no longer determined which diseases get treated? The Case for Drug Abundance explores how advances in AI, human…
How do you spot the next big idea in biotech before everyone else does? I sit down with Christian Schubert, Vice President and Global Head of AbbVie…
What if diagnostics could tell us not just what disease a patient has, but what is beginning to happen next? I sit down with QIAGEN CEO Thierry Bernard…
Education
MD, Medicine
2000 - 2006
PhD, Biological Engineering
2002 - 2005
BS, Brain and Cognitive Sciences
1996 - 2000
Honors
Young Global Leader
World Economic Forum
PharmaVOICE 100 Most Inspiring People
PharmaVOICE
Bioeconomy 500 Outstanding Leader
Bioeconomy 500
12 Innovators Reshaping Reality
US State Department
Innovator of the Year (TR35)
MIT Technology Review
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award
US EPA
Leadership
Leadership Council Member (Emeritus)
2012 - Present
Trustee & Advisory Member
2010 - Present
Board Member
2010 - 2014
Corporation Member
2006 - 2011
Research
16 peer-reviewed publications including 2 single-author articles
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