Crystal Brown, an African American entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan, who co-founded CircNova, has raised $3.3 million for her biotechnology startup that uses AI to develop new therapies from circular RNA, despite having no academic background in biology.
Brown once worked in Michigan’s automotive industry, climbing toward an executive role. Her career took an unexpected turn when she accepted a part-time bookkeeping job at a life science startup, according to TechCrunch. What began as simple curiosity turned into a fascination with biotech. She soon left her six-figure salary to start over in a field she knew little about.
Her first biotech venture failed, draining her finances and forcing her to start again. But the experience earned her respect in Michigan’s startup community. Investors admired her determination and told her they would back her next idea. That opportunity arrived when biotech scientist Joe DeAngelo introduced her to circular RNA, a new area of genetic research with major therapeutic potential.
DeAngelo, now CircNova’s chief scientific officer, believed circular RNA could lead to breakthroughs for diseases that still have no treatments. He shared research with Brown daily, and by 2023, the two founded CircNova with just a $15,000 grant.
CircNova’s technology centers on its AI platform, NovaEngine, which can identify and design circular RNA molecules that may help fight ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and rare genetic disorders. The company operates its own lab and collaborates with the University of Michigan to validate its findings.
The startup’s $3.3 million seed round was led by South Loop Ventures, with participation from Union Heritage, Invest Detroit, Michigan Rise, and others. Investors say Brown’s determination and adaptability set her apart in an industry often led by scientists and PhDs.
Now splitting her time between Michigan and Boston, Brown continues to grow CircNova and build partnerships with major biotech firms like Moderna and Pfizer. Her journey from car factories to cutting-edge labs proves how curiosity and persistence can open doors in unexpected places.
Learn more about CircNova, visit the official website at CircNova.com