Jetstream Fund Bets on AI, HealthTech; Opens VC to Main Street

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – April 10, 2026 – Jetstream Venture Fund, a firm structured to dismantle the exclusive barriers of venture capital, has announced two strategic investments in HealthTech innovator Surf Therapeutics and AI trailblazer Hill Research. The deals not only signal a strong push into high-growth technology sectors but also validate the fund's core mission: making venture-style investing accessible to a mainstream audience.

The investments in a non-invasive arthritis treatment and an AI platform for accelerating drug trials highlight a dual focus on technologies with profound societal impact and a financial model designed to democratize access to their growth potential. These moves provide a window into how new fund structures are changing the landscape of who gets to invest in the next wave of innovation.

Redefining the Venture Capital Playbook

At the heart of Jetstream's strategy is its structure as an interval fund. Unlike traditional venture capital funds, which often require minimum investments of $250,000 or more and are restricted to accredited, high-net-worth individuals, Jetstream operates under a different set of rules. As a publicly registered investment vehicle regulated by the SEC, it can offer shares to a broader pool of investors with significantly lower minimums.

Interval funds provide a hybrid model, blending features of both open-end and closed-end funds. They continuously offer shares but limit investor redemptions to specific, pre-set intervals—typically quarterly or semi-annually. This structure allows the fund to invest in illiquid assets, such as private, early-stage companies, while still providing a measure of liquidity not found in traditional ten-year lockup VC funds.

Jetstream further distinguishes itself by eliminating "carried interest," the typical 20% share of profits that fund managers take. Instead, it operates on a flat management fee, aligning its success more directly with that of its investors. This model is a deliberate attempt to open the gates to an asset class that has historically been the engine of immense wealth creation but remained out of reach for most.

A New Wave in Chronic Disease Treatment

Jetstream's investment in Surf Therapeutics places it at the forefront of a major shift in treating chronic inflammatory diseases. The clinical-stage startup is developing a patented, non-invasive ultrasound platform aimed at treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition affecting over 1.5 million Americans, many of whom find little relief from conventional drugs.

Surf Therapeutics’ technology uses focused ultrasound to stimulate the body’s natural anti-inflammatory pathways. By targeting the spleen-brain axis, the device activates nerves that signal the immune system to reduce inflammation, offering a drug-free and surgery-free alternative. The goal is an at-home therapy that patients can use to manage their condition safely and effectively.

"A high percentage of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis find that traditional medications simply do not have a real effect," said Doug Sylvester, Portfolio Manager at Jetstream. "Surf Therapeutics offers an entirely different, clinically proven approach to activate the body's natural anti-inflammatory pathways. By addressing patients who are unresponsive to traditional meds, this technology has an incredible potential market impact."

The company has already reported positive results from a first-in-human study and has initiated a larger, multi-center clinical trial, known as SUSTAIN, to further validate the device's safety and efficacy. With co-investors including SOSV and the TMC Venture Fund, Surf Therapeutics is well-positioned to advance its mission of bringing scalable, non-invasive relief to patients.

AI Accelerates the Race for New Medicines

The fund's second major investment, and its first in the AI sector, is a stake in Hill Research, a company experiencing what insiders describe as "hockey stick" growth. Hill Research is tackling one of the most expensive and time-consuming challenges in modern medicine: clinical pharmaceutical research.

Its AI-powered biostatistics platform, TriClick™, is designed to automate and accelerate the complex data workflows involved in clinical trials, from initial design to final FDA submission. The company claims its technology can reduce manual workloads by 60-70% and speed up the generation of tables, listings, and figures by a factor of 2000, all while ensuring regulatory compliance. With a client roster that already includes several of the world's top ten pharmaceutical giants, Hill Research is demonstrating significant market traction.

Sylvester noted the competitive nature of the funding round. "Investing in a company showing this level of massive, rapid traction, alongside leading investors with a strong track record of identifying breakout businesses, reflects the kind of opportunity Jetstream was built to deliver," he stated.

Hill Research’s ambition extends to its TheraGPT platform, a multi-agent AI system aiming to slash drug development timelines from a decade to just four years. With backing from firms like Covenant Venture Capital and Alumni Ventures, the company is poised to become a critical player in the tech-driven transformation of pharmaceutical R&D.

Riding the Tides of Tech Investment

Jetstream's dual bets on Surf Therapeutics and Hill Research are not isolated events but rather a reflection of powerful macro-trends dominating the investment world. HealthTech, particularly solutions for chronic disease and at-home care, has seen a surge in interest as populations age and healthcare systems seek more efficient and patient-centric models.

Simultaneously, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. The market for AI in pharma is projected to grow exponentially, with some analysts predicting it will exceed $60 billion by 2033. AI's ability to analyze vast datasets, identify drug candidates, and streamline clinical trials promises to lower costs and bring life-saving treatments to market faster.

However, this rapid innovation comes with challenges. Regulatory bodies like the FDA are grappling with how to evaluate AI systems, particularly "black box" models whose decision-making processes are not easily transparent. Establishing clear frameworks that ensure patient safety without stifling innovation remains a critical hurdle for the entire industry.

By securing positions in these pioneering companies, Jetstream Venture Fund is not just building a portfolio; it is making a statement. Its investments demonstrate a conviction that the future of healthcare lies in technological innovation, and that the opportunity to participate in that future should belong to everyone.