CircNova’s Co-Founder Crystal Brown Helps Raise $3.3 Million in Seed Funding: A Milestone in the Fight Against Untreatable Diseases
- Antionette Mays-Salami
- Feb 23
- 4 min read
Crystal Brown, co-founder and CEO of CircNova, has announced a major achievement for the biotechnology startup: the successful raising of $3.3 million in its seed funding round. This significant milestone underscores the trust and belief that investors have in CircNova’s innovative approach to biotechnology. With this funding, CircNova is poised to accelerate its efforts to treat diseases that have historically been deemed untreatable, including ovarian cancer.
Crystal Brown: From Automotive to Biotechnology
Crystal Brown’s entrepreneurial journey has been anything but conventional. Prior to founding CircNova, she ventured into the automotive industry with a startup that ultimately did not reach its full potential. While the company faced significant challenges and was ultimately unable to succeed, Crystal's experience with this failed venture was far from a setback. Instead, it became a valuable learning experience that helped shape her resilience, leadership, and ability to navigate obstacles—qualities that would later prove invaluable in building CircNova.
Though her previous startup didn’t come to fruition, the lessons Crystal gained in entrepreneurship—especially in overcoming adversity—laid the foundation for her success in biotech.
The Birth of CircNova
CircNova was founded with the goal of addressing a critical need in modern medicine: the ability to treat diseases that have long been considered untreatable. Crystal, alongside her co-founder, Deangelo, recognized that circular RNA—an emerging biological molecule—could hold the key to unlocking new treatments. However, they realized that existing technologies were not enough to fully exploit the potential of circular RNA. Thus, CircNova was born, built around an AI-powered platform designed to identify, design, and produce circular RNA at scale.
The company's groundbreaking work in RNA technology has the potential to transform how we approach diseases like ovarian cancer, where traditional therapies have shown limited success. By manipulating RNA, CircNova aims to open up new avenues for more precise and effective treatments, offering fresh hope for patients worldwide.
Meet the Leadership Team: A Powerful Trio of Experts
While Crystal Brown’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding CircNova’s vision, the company’s success also owes much to its exceptional team. At the heart of CircNova’s progress are its two other co-founders, Joe Deangelo and William Grenawitzke.
Joe Deangelo – Chief Scientific Officer
Joe Deangelo serves as CircNova’s Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and brings a wealth of experience to the company. Previously, Joe was the CEO of Neochromosome, a biotechnology company specializing in synthetic biology and genomics. Before that, he held the position of Chief Scientific Officer at Apex Bioscience. Joe’s extensive background in biotechnology and leadership within the sector makes him an invaluable asset to CircNova. His expertise in scientific research and development helps steer the company’s innovative work in RNA technology.
William Grenawitzke – Chief Business Officer
William Grenawitzke, CircNova’s Chief Business Officer (CBO), is the company’s third co-founder and plays a key role in shaping the company’s business strategy and securing investment. William brings a wealth of experience in business development and corporate strategy, along with a strong track record in managing successful biotech ventures. His leadership is pivotal in guiding CircNova through its early stages and positioning it for long-term success.
Together, Crystal, Joe, and William form a dynamic leadership team, each contributing their expertise in science, business, and strategy to drive CircNova’s mission forward.
A Bright Future for CircNova
With $3.3 million in seed funding secured, CircNova is now poised to accelerate its development and expand its reach in the rapidly growing field of RNA-based therapeutics. The funding will be used to further advance the company’s cutting-edge AI-driven platform, grow the team, and expand research efforts focused on treating diseases like ovarian cancer.
By advancing circular RNA technology, CircNova is not only pioneering a new frontier in medicine but also offering hope to patients suffering from diseases that have historically lacked effective treatment options. The company’s innovative approach could pave the way for a new generation of RNA-based therapies that transform the healthcare landscape.
CircNova’s successful seed funding round is just the beginning for Crystal Brown, Joe Deangelo, William Grenawitzke, and the entire CircNova team. With their groundbreaking AI-powered platform and innovative approach to circular RNA, CircNova is on track to make a significant impact on the healthcare industry. The company’s work could transform the way we treat complex diseases and offer new hope to patients who previously had no treatment options.
Starting Your Own Venture: Legal Guidance is Key
Building a startup requires not only innovation and determination but also a clear legal strategy. For entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of business formation, funding, and intellectual property protection, working with a skilled legal team is critical.
The Mays Law Firm, PLLC offers expert legal guidance to help entrepreneurs establish strong foundations for their startups and successfully navigate the early stages of growth.
Whether you need assistance with structuring your business, securing funding, or addressing legal considerations, the Mays Law Firm can help. If you're ready to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, reach out to the Mays Law Firm, PLLC today for expert legal support.
Important: This post is for informational and educational purposes only and does not create an Attorney-Client relationship. This post should not be taken as legal advice or used as a substitute for such. You should always speak to an attorney for legal advice.
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