Mode VC
Mara Aspinall

Mara Aspinall

Partner atIllumina VenturesSan Francisco, CA
Full bioFirm profile

Mara Aspinall is a healthcare industry leader with experience in genetics, genomics, and diagnostics. She has held executive roles at Ventana Medical Systems and Genzyme, and co-founded BlueStone Venture Partners.

What Mara can write

Writes checks ofNot reported
Comes in atSeed, Series ACan lead the round
Pitch pageSubmit on their siteThe firm asks founders to apply here.

Career

  1. Genzyme Corporation · president of Genzyme Genetics and Genzyme Pharmaceuticals
  2. Ventana Medical Systems · president and CEO
  3. BlueStone Venture Partners
  4. BlueStone Venture Partners · co-founder and managing director
  5. Illumina Ventures · Partner
    Now

Companies founded

BlueStone Venture Partners

Investments named in public bios

Genome MedicalPredicta BiosciencesSyntax Bio

Focus

geneticsgenomicsdiagnosticsmedical devicesdigital healthhealthcare

Education

Harvard Business School, Master of Business AdministrationTufts University, Bachelor of ArtsCarnegie Mellon/National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), certified in Cybersecurity Oversight

Also at Illumina Ventures

Nick Naclerio, Ph.D.
Nick Naclerio, Ph.D.Founding Partner
Abhijit “Ron” Mazumder, Ph.D.
Abhijit “Ron” Mazumder, Ph.D.Partner
Wouter Meuleman, Ph.D.
Wouter Meuleman, Ph.D.Partner
Charles White, Ph.D.
Charles White, Ph.D.Principal
Tom Willis, Ph.D.
Tom Willis, Ph.D.Venture Partner
Yuling Luo, Ph.D.
Yuling Luo, Ph.D.Venture Partner

Partners like Mara

At firms with a similar stage, sector and check size.

Pete Bastien
Pete BastienPresident & Partner, Hitachi Ventures
Joel S. MarcusExecutive Chairman & Founder; founded and leads Alexandria Venture Investments, Alexandria Venture Investments
Bob MoreManaging Director, Alta Partners
Christopher Male
Christopher MaleCo-Founder & Managing Partner, Autism Impact Fund
Rick Moss
Rick MossFounding Partner, Better Ventures
Peter LeeGeneral Partner, Embark Ventures

Alert me when Illumina Ventures is active

One email when Mara's firm raises a fund, adds a partner or shows new activity.

Founders and investors at a Mode VC gathering

Send Mode VC your deck

Raising a pre-seed or seed round? We write $1M to $5M first checks and help founders with distribution. A partner reads every deck.

Send your deck

Questions

Who is Mara Aspinall?

Mara Aspinall is a healthcare industry leader with experience in genetics, genomics, and diagnostics. She has held executive roles at Ventana Medical Systems and Genzyme, and co-founded BlueStone Venture Partners.

How much does Mara Aspinall invest?

Illumina Ventures has not reported a check size. It invests at seed, series a.

How do I pitch Mara Aspinall?

A warm intro from a founder Illumina Ventures backed works best.

What did Mara Aspinall do before Illumina Ventures?

president of Genzyme Genetics and Genzyme Pharmaceuticals at Genzyme Corporation; president and CEO at Ventana Medical Systems; BlueStone Venture Partners; co-founder and managing director at BlueStone Venture Partners.

Last updated 2026-10-15. Is this you? Ask for a correction.