| Date | Title | Description |
| 06.11.2023 | OcuPro Roadside Cannabis Test featured on Kare 11 | OcuPro, a new device from Oculogica for testing impairment after cannabis use, was featured on Kare 11 News. |
| 20.04.2023 | New Roadside Cannabis Test to Be Piloted by Police Departments Across the U.S. | Neuro-diagnostic company Oculogica today announced the launch of OcuPro, the fastest roadside cannabis test with immediate results, along with pilots planned with several police departments across the U.S. Officers administer the 45-second ... |
| 18.04.2023 | Women Investment Pioneer Joy Lindsay Named 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year by University of Minnesota | MINNNEAPOLIS (April 18, 2023) – Sofia Fund, the angel investment firm focused exclusively on women-led companies, announces that its managing partner, long-term investor and entrepreneur Joy Lindsay, is the recipient of the 2023 Entrepreneu... |
| 09.08.2022 | Cognition Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business Update | Cognition Therapeutics reported on 2nd quarter financial results and business updates including optimistic advancements in clinical trials. |
| 04.08.2022 | Cognition Therapeutics Presents New Proteomic Data on Effect of CT1812 Treatment on Normalization of Disrupted Alzheimer’s Disease Processes | Analytic results in a study of Cognition Therapeutic’s CT1812, a drug targeting mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease, indicates a reduction in the YKL-40, a biomarker for inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s. |
| 08.07.2022 | DHS S&T Awards Funds to Kenzen, a Kansas City Startup Developing Wearable Tech | DHS has selected Kenzen’s wearable technology that helps prevent heat related injuries for their SVIP program. The SVIP program identifies innovative technology that could protect employees and save lives. Read full press release here. |
| 19.05.2022 | ACA Honors Angel-Financed Innovation with the Prestigious Luis Villalobos Award | Atlantic City, NJ (May 19, 2022) – Recognizing the most ingenious and innovative ideas recently financed by members of the Angel Capital Association, the prestigious Luis Villalobos Award was recently awarded to two companies disrupting the... |
| 30.03.2022 | Cognition Therapeutics Reports Year End 2021 Financial Results | Read full Press Release here. |
| 08.03.2022 | Abilitech Obtains MDEL from Health Canada | Abilitech expands market after MEDL approval from Canadian authorities. Canadian patients can now have access to Abilitech’s Assist which helps people with weak arms due to neuromuscular conditions or injuries. |
| 01.03.2022 | StormSensor® Introduces New Technology to Identify Urban Flood Risk | As our infrastructure continues to age, systems across the U.S. will continue to fail at an alarming rate without immediate intervention. Storm Sensor’s SURFR adds a new risk assessment tool to its line of flood mitigation hardware and soft... |
| 09.02.2022 | Tea Collection Partners with Resale Marketplace Kidizen to Launch Tea Rewear Program | Kidizen partners with Tea Collection to provide platform for resale of kid’s clothing, the most rapidly growing segment of the resale marketplace. |
| 10.01.2022 | Cognition Therapeutics has a transformative 2021 with positive performance addressing age related degenerative diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. | Cognition Therapeutics Provides Update on Corporate and Pipeline Progress and Reviews Goals for 2022 |
| 08.12.2021 | Cathy Connett named to Notable Leaders in Private Equity, Investment Banking and Venture Capital List | Twin Cities Business magazine has named Sofia Fund CEO, Cathy Connett to its 2021 list of Notable Leaders in Private Equity, Investment Banking and Venture Capital List in their Dec/Jan issue. |
| 17.11.2021 | Sofia Fund Partner Joy Lindsay Recognized for Lifetime Achievement as Technology Investor | MINNNEAPOLIS (Nov. 17, 2021) – Sofia Fund, the angel investment firm focused exclusively on women-led companies, announces that its partner, long-term investor Joy Lindsay, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award for an outstanding care... |
| 03.11.2021 | Cognition Therapeutics Adds Public Company Financial and Operational Expertise to Board of Directors with Appointment of Ellen B. Richstone | PURCHASE, N.Y., Nov. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CGTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of innovative, small molecule therapeutics targeting age-relat... |
| 25.10.2021 | Sofia Fund Portfolio Earns Returns as Two Portfolio Companies Move to Next Stage of Growth | Cognitive Therapeutics goes public, Explorer Surgical acquired |
| 14.10.2021 | Explorer Surgical exits Sofia Portfolio | Global Healthcare Exchange announces acquisition of Explorer Surgical, providing an opportunity for ExplORer Surgical to accelerate growth as well as immediate returns for Sofia investors. Read the GHX news release here. |
| 13.10.2021 | Sofia portfolio company Cognition Therapeutics goes public | Women-led biopharmaceutical company Cognition Therapeutics newly public stock started trading Oct. 8. CGTX (new NASDAQ ticker) innovates therapeutics that target age-related degenerative diseases and disorders. See the news here: https://ir... |
| 08.09.2021 | Neurology Clinic Will Use Oculogica’s EyeBox to Detect Concussions in Patients | Sofia Fund portfolio company Oculogica signs on one of the largest neurology clinics in the U.S. to use its device. |
| 24.06.2021 | Oculogica has been awarded a US patent to detect CTE via its eye tracking technology | This is a major innovation as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) is currently only diagnosed after death. |
| 22.06.2021 | Joylux announces new expanded products to support women through menopause | In partnership with Dr. Sarah de la Torre, Ob-Gyn and functional medicine expert, Joylux has designed science-based products, digital tools, and relevant information to help women thrive during this phase of their life. |
| 16.06.2021 | Oculogica Adds to IP Portfolio with Patent for Assessment of Impairment Due to Cannabis | Oculogica’s patent enables expansion of its eye-tracking based technology to fulfill an unmet need in cannabis impairment detection |
| 18.05.2021 | Study of Assistive Technology for People with Muscular Dystrophy Kicks off Recruitment Phase | Research will measure how the Abilitech™ Assist restores use of weak upper arms to help individuals reach greater independence and quality of life |
| 18.05.2021 | Oculogica Receives Department of Defense Grant to Develop Wearable Concussion Diagnostic with Pre-eminent Partners | Sofia Fund portfolio company Oculogica receives $2M U.S. Army grant to develop wearable version of its technology |
| 12.05.2021 | Kenzen Announces Device Rental Program for Summer 2021 | Rapid deployment of life-saving smart PPE critical for hottest summer on record ahead |
| 09.04.2021 | ExplORer Surgical Closes $2.5M Funding Round for Technological Advancements and Hiring | Amidst challenges in healthcare and the global pandemic, intraoperative workflow startup drives six times year-over-year revenue |
| 15.02.2021 | Minnesota’s Tax Credit for Angel Investors Works | Minnesota’s Angel Tax credit should be a consistent source of funding for starving startups, Sofia Fund partner Cathy Connett notes in this Twin Cities Star Tribune article. |
| 11.02.2021 | Abilitech Named Finalist in MS Innovation Challenge | Abilitech will compete for additional funding that supports further development of its ideas and concepts that address the unmet needs of people suffering from multiple sclerosis. The award program raises overall awareness of MS as a chroni... |
| 08.12.2020 | Sofia Portfolio Company Abilitech Medical Launches Its First Device | Assistive technology gives independence for people living with disabilities by restoring the use of the arm. Read Full Press Release |
| 10.11.2020 | Women-founded Startup TiLT Gets Investment Boost from Sofia Fund | Funding will help the startup scale to meet increasing need for employee leave management in dynamic employment environment |
| 20.10.2020 | Cognition Therapeutics Elucidates Genetic Mutation that Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease | Mutation Validates Cognition Approach to Oligomer Displacement |
| 15.10.2020 | Product of the Year: Kenzen’s predictive body heat sensor system | Kenzen’s predictive body heat sensor system for industrial workers has been named a Product of the Year by Occupational Health & Safety magazine. |
| 13.10.2020 | Joylux Founder, Colette Courtion, Named to Inc.’s Female Founders 100 list | Seattle, WA October 13, 2020 — Inc. today announced its third annual Female Founders 100 list, honoring an influential, ambitious, and diverse group of 100 women who are building America’s most inspiring and innovative businesses. Colette C... |
| 25.09.2020 | Joylux leading the charge for intimate care with femtech, Beauty Insider reports | Colette Courtion shares her vision for the future of solving women’s intimate issues, now with renown dermatologist and successful entrepreneur Dr. Kathy Fields on the board. Joylux is a femtech company innovating intimate care products for... |
| 24.09.2020 | Legendary Beauty Innovator Dr. Kathy Fields Places Big Bet on Femtech Pioneer Joylux | Seattle, July 16, 2020. Joylux, a leader in high-tech vaginal health and wellness devices and products targeting menopausal women, announced that Dr. Kathy Fields—the cofounder of leading skincare brand Rodan + Field and co-creator of Proac... |
| 31.08.2020 | Cognition Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in SEQUEL Study | Pittsburgh, August 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage neuroscience company developing drugs that treat neurodegenerative disorders by regulating cellular damage response pathways announced that it has... |
| 09.06.2020 | Cognition Therapeutics Receives $75.8 Million NIA Grant | Sofia portfolio company Cognition Therapeutics awarded $75.8M in competitive grant process, to study efficacy of its technology with early Alzheimer’s patients |
| 14.05.2020 | Kenzen Launches Body Heat Sensor System for Predictive, Preventative Worker Safety | Smart PPE Patch Monitors and Relays Real-Time Stress Indicators to Protect Workers Against Heat Injuries and Death |
| 14.05.2020 | More moms, kid brands and retailers sign on with Kidizen as COVID19 reshapes the economy | Minneapolis, May 2020 – Unique, creative models that connect sellers and buyers are benefitting from the new reality of social distancing. Kidizen, the online community marketplace for second-hand kids’ fashion, is seeing increased engag... |
| 10.05.2020 | Rebiotix and Ferring announce world’s first with positive preliminary pivotal Phase 3 data | Rebiotix and Ferring announce world’s first with positive preliminary pivotal Phase 3 data for investigational microbiome-based therapy RBX2660. |
| 24.03.2020 | Sofia Fund portfolio company Abilitech Medical female founder Angie Conley shares her mission | Female founder Angie Conley shares Abilitech’s mission to restore independence to people who can’t use their arms, through its new assistive technology. |
| 17.03.2020 | Reflections from Both Founder and Funder | Sofia Fund’s Cathy Connett and Sofia Fund’s portfolio company StormSensor’s Erin Rothman offer tips on finding each other. |
| 12.03.2020 | Midwest Orthopedics at Rush (MOR) has adopted Oculogica’s EyeBOX® | Chicago’s Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, one of the leading orthopedic clinics in the country, has adopted Oculogica’s EyeBOX® for concussion assessments. EyeBOX is the first FDA authorized diagnostic for concussion that does not require a ba... |
| 03.02.2020 | Sofia Fund kicks off 2020 with green tech investment, diversifying Midwest focus on med tech | Health care drew huge venture-capital investments in 2019. |
| 29.01.2020 | Sofia Fund invests along with Pearson Ventures in Knowledge to Practice Inc. | Sofia Fund invests along with Pearson Ventures in an ed-tech start up focused on bringing current content to health care professionals in an easy to use, on-line format that improves retention and the knowledge base. |
| 28.01.2020 | Women-Founded StormSensor gets Boost from Sofia Fund | Investment will help the startup scale to meet market demand for water management as climate continues to change |
| 22.01.2020 | Sofia Fund participates in $8 million round of funding for Oculogica | Sofia Fund participates in recently closed $8M financing round announced by existing portfolio company, Oculogica. This round of funding will support further commercial distribution of the EyeBOX at Level I, II and III trauma centers nation... |
| 15.01.2020 | Report: Minnesota Startups Ended the Year Strong, Raising $1.2B in 2019 | Sofia Fund partner and long-time investor in women-led tech businesses, Joy Lindsay, reflects on Minnesota’s 2019 fundraising record. |
| 14.01.2020 | Sofia Fund invests in four companies, but CEO says women founders still see bias | - |
| 21.12.2019 | Sofia Fund Invests in Health Tech Startup Clinician Nexus | Angel team caps off record year of investing in woman-owned businesses |
| 18.12.2019 | Sofia Fund adds SaaS-delivered health care education company Knowledge To Practice to portfolio | Pearson Ventures was a major investor in the round with participation from Avestria Ventures and Sofia Fund, along with existing investors including institutional investors ReThink Education and SideCar Angels, who continue to invest in the... |
| 03.12.2019 | Sofia Fund Announces Investment in Med Device Company Abilitech Medical | DECEMBER 3, 2019 (Minneapolis) — Sofia Fund, a leading angel investment firm focused on high-growth, women-led early stage companies, today announced it has invested in Abilitech™ Medical, the Minneapolis-based startup that develops product... |
| 20.11.2019 | Cognition Therapeutics to Give Webcast Presentation at Annual Piper Jaffray Healthcare Conference on December 3, 2019 | Pittsburgh, PA, November 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage neuroscience company focused on the protection and restoration of synaptic function in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disor... |
| 06.11.2019 | Oculogica Announces New Category 3 CPT Code Created by American Medical Association | The American Medical Association (AMA) has confirmed the addition of a new Category 3 CPT Code, 0X17T, Eye movement analysis test without spatial calibration, allowing clinicians to appropriately report the services related exclusively to t... |
| 02.10.2019 | Kidizen Partners with Brands and Moms to Reduce Fashion Waste | Digital Marketplace Launches REWEAR™ Collective and Style Scout Programs |
| 27.09.2019 | Conservation of Cash: The Key to Building a Strong Business | Third blog in a series by Lisa Crump, founder of Cairn Ventures and Managing Partner, Sofia Fund. View Part I here. View Part II here. |
| 17.09.2019 | Fundraising, For Real: Can convertible notes kill a deal in the Midwest? | New Sofia Fund Kansas City partner Laura McCoolidge, on convertible notes |
| 01.08.2019 | CogRX Gains Patent Coverage in Japan and China | Portfolio company CogRX gains patent coverage in Japan and China for Elayta, Cognition’s lead drug for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. |
| 30.07.2019 | Joylux, Adds Prominent Oncologist and Former FDA Commissioner to Advisory Board | Sofia Fund portfolio company, Joylux, announces they have raised more than $9M exclusively through prominent angel investors and angel groups including the Sofia Fund and has expanded their Advisory Board by adding Dr. Michael Friedman, for... |
| 25.07.2019 | Sofia Fund is a National Go-to Resource | Sofia Fund is a national go-to resource for what’s happening in the Midwest startup community. See ABC News story here. |
| 16.07.2019 | Cognition Therapeutics Receives $3.3 Million NIA Grant to Conduct qEEG Study of Elayta™ with World-Leading Alzheimer’s Biomarker Experts | Investigating Quantitative EEG as Biomarker of Patient Response to Treatment in Future Efficacy Studies |
| 09.07.2019 | Sofia Fund Expands to Kansas City | Angel investment firm names McCoolidge managing partner |
| 24.06.2019 | Steps to Success: Reasonable Valuations | Second blog in a series by Lisa Crump, founder of Cairn Ventures and Managing Partner, Sofia Fund. View Part I here. View Part III here. |
| 06.06.2019 | Cognition Therapeutics Appoints Anthony O. Caggiano M.D., Ph.D. to the Position of Chief Medical Officer | Pittsburgh, PA, June 05, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., today announced that Anthony O. Caggiano, M.D., Ph.D. has joined the Company as chief medical officer (CMO). Cognition Therapeutics is a clinical stage neuroscie... |
| 23.05.2019 | JoyLux Named Most Innovative Company of 2019 by Angel Capital Association | Winner of the prestigious Luis Villalobos Award, honoring ingenuity and innovation among start up companies. |
| 14.05.2019 | Sofia Fund in national line-up of angel investors | How-to and resource list of top angel investors nationally, from FitSmallBusiness.com.
https://fitsmallbusiness.com/what-is-an-angel-investor/ |
| 14.05.2019 | Twin Cities Business Monthly taps Cathy Connett and Joy Lindsay for commentary on current local investing | Where to find the money now in Minnesota, featuring Sofia Fund partners’ observations on current activity in their hometown.
http://tcbmag.com/news/articles/2019/may/show-me-the-money-finding-local-venture-capital-in-minnesota |
| 22.04.2019 | Getting to Success: Advice from a Tech Entrepreneur Turned Angel | First blog in a series by Lisa Crump, founder of Cairn Ventures and Managing Partner, Sofia Fund. View Part II here. View Part III here. |
| 26.03.2019 | Cognition Therapeutics Elects Lisa Ricciardi to its Board of Directors | Pittsburgh, PA, March 26, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage neuroscience company focused on the protection and restoration of synaptic function in neurodegenerative diseases and disorders caused by membr... |
| 26.03.2019 | Joylux Named One of The Top Three Most Innovative Companies by Angel Capital Association | Joylux to be honored at the Angel Capital Association’s 2019 Summit as a top-three finalist for the prestigious Luis Villalobos Award |
| 03.03.2019 | Rebiotix Recognized as Future of Health Care | Rebiotix is highlighted in The Future of Healthcare series under the headline The Future of Healthcare: “In the future we might be able to take microbes from a healthy person and using them to cure sick people” With Lee Jones, CEO of Rebiot... |
| 02.03.2019 | Thrive Global Recognizes Sofia Portfolio Company Oculogica | Oculogica is highlighted in the Community section under the headline The Future of Healthcare “Tracking a person’s eye movements to diagnose brain injuries” with Dr. Uzma Samadani of Oculogica. Read the entire article here: |
| 28.02.2019 | Sofia Fund Invests in Landit | Minneapolis, MN, February 28, 2019 — Sofia Fund, a leading angel investment group focused on high-growth, women-led companies, today announced its most recent investment in Landit, a technology platform that increases the success and engage... |
| 21.02.2019 | Cognition Therapeutics Receives European Patent Covering its Alzheimer’s Disease Candidate, Elayta™ | Pittsburgh, PA, February 21, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cognition Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage neuroscience company focused on the protection and restoration of synaptic function in neurodegenerative diseases and disorders, today annou... |
| 19.02.2019 | Cognition Therapeutics Announces Publication of Complete Results from Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Elayta™ | Elayta Crossed Blood Brain Barrier and Reached CNS Levels Associated in Preclinical Studies with Cognitive Improvement |
| 19.02.2019 | Oculogica mentioned in February 19, 2019 issue of JAMA | Oculogica is the first highlight of the JAMA news section in this week’s issue: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2725217 |
| 03.01.2019 | Sofia Fund portfolio company Oculogica achieves FDA milestone | Oculogica receives FDA Marketing Authorization for EyeBOX®, the first non-invasive, baseline-free test for concussion. Oculogica is a pioneer in algorithm-based neurodiagnostics. |
| 19.12.2018 | Blog Part III: The Right Investor Opens Their Wallet and Their Network | Third blog in a series by Joy Lindsay, Managing Partner, Sofia Fund. View Blog I here and Blog II here. |
| 06.11.2018 | Blog Part II: Start with the Right Investor to Have a Happy Ending | Second blog in a series by Joy Lindsay, Managing Partner, Sofia Fund. View Blog I here and Blog III here. |
| 04.10.2018 | CogRX receives $16.6M Grant for Phase II Study of Alzheimer’s Drug | Sofia Fund portfolio company CogRX has received a $16.6M Multi-Year Grant for Phase II studies of its Elayta™ drug for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more at CogRX announces NIA grant |
| 25.09.2018 | Blog Part I- Show Me the Money… and More | First blog in a series by Joy Lindsay, Managing Partner, Sofia Fund. View Blog II here and Blog III here. |
| 05.09.2018 | Sofia Fund Invests in Kenzen | Minneapolis, MN, September 5, 2018 — Sofia Fund, a leading angel investment group focused on high-growth, women-led early stage companies, today announced its most recent investment in Kenzen, a San Francisco-based health analytics platform... |
| 31.07.2018 | Sofia Fund Achieves Successful Exit | Technology Company Vixar Acquired by Semiconductor Leader Osram |
| 20.05.2018 | Sofia Fund Focus on Women-Led Firms | Interview with Neal St Anthony of the Star Tribune brings visibility to Sofia Fund and its partners’ long and successful involvement in investing in women led companies. |
| 14.05.2018 | Looking Concussion in the Eye | A recent post in the April/ May Issue of MIT Review discusses the science Uzma Samadani used as she sought to find a way to measure improvements in her severely, brain-injured patients. The ability to capture a large amount of data from tra... |
| 03.05.2018 | Sofia Fund Invests in Joylux, Inc | Minneapolis, MN, May 3, 2018 — Sofia Fund, a leading angel investment firm focused on high-growth, women-led early stage companies, today announced it has invested in Joylux, Inc., the Seattle-based women’s intimate health and wellness comp... |
| 09.04.2018 | Sofia Fund Achieves Exit | Rebiotix, Inc., Announces Its Acquisition |
| 27.03.2018 | Sofia Fund Makes Third Investment in Cognition Therapeutics | Sofia Fund recently announced its third investment in Cognition Therapeutics, Inc. (CogRx), a Pittsburgh-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and manufactures innovative therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer’s dise... |
| 19.03.2018 | Angels Tell the Truth: What Makes a New Company Fundable | By Cathy Connett, CEO and Managing Partner, Sofia Fund |
| 09.06.2017 | Getting a Read on Brain Function | Very interesting article in the StarTribune about HCMC’s neurosurgeon Dr. Uzma Samadani and the technology she is developing to assess brain function in real time. The technology is licensed to Oculogica, a company she co-founded, and is em... |
| 27.05.2017 | Center for Venture Research: The Angel Investor Market in 2015: A Buyer’s Market | According to a report just published by the Center of Venture Research summarizing the 2015 Angel Investor Market, the market in 2015 had a slight increase in investment dollars and in the deal size. Total investments in 2015 were $24.6 bil... |
| 29.07.2015 | Sofia Angel II Fund Surpasses Investor Goals Raising $5.5 M | Press Release July 27, 2015
Today marks a significant achievement in bringing new monies into early stage companies. The Sofia Fund, which invests in women-led, growth companies and is led by a group of experienced investors, has tapped int... |
| 01.04.2015 | Female Run Venture Firms Alter the Status Quo | The Sofia Fund team knows from their long personal history in angel investing that the addition of women investors will help accelerate the funding of women led growth companies. We are excited to see the progress being made with women foun... |
| 02.03.2015 | Sofia Fund to Invest in Women Led Ventures | The Sofia Fund has raised $3.925M from men, women, and couples to invest in women led growth businesses primarily located in MN and the Midwest. in this interview, Cathy Connett and Barb Stinnett share the motivation that has driven the cre... |
| 22.01.2015 | Sofia Angel Fund II Raises $3.925 Million | Sofia Angel Fund II, LLC announces the successful first closing of its angel investment fund targeting women-led growth companies with $3.925 million of capital investment commitments. |
| 15.12.2014 | Center of Venture Research Announces 2014 Angel Investing Results | According to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire, moderate growth continued in the first two quarters of 2014 in the U.S. angel investor market. More than 30,000 entrepreneurial ventures received funding in th... |
| 15.12.2014 | American Growth in the Hands of Women’s Entrepreneurship | According to a new Kauffman Foundation research report, female entrepreneurship can pave the way for economic growth in America. The report says large-scale positive effects, like the those seen during the entry of women into the workforce ... |
