IVF just got smarter: Juniper Genomics raises $4.6m to set a new standard in embryo screening

When IVF fails, no one tells you why. Juniper Genomics wants to change that, with science that finally matches the stakes.

Jul 06, 2025

You’ve followed every instruction. Taken every injection. Paid every bill.
Then the call comes: “We’re sorry. The transfer didn’t work.”

For millions of people going through IVF, that’s the reality. It’s not just physically demanding, it’s a test of hope, finances, and resilience. And the hardest part?
No one can tell you why it failed.

That’s what Juniper Genomics wants to change.

This Toronto-based biotech startup is rewriting what we know about embryo health, using the power of full-genome and transcriptome sequencing to give families better answers, better decisions, and better chances.

And investors are paying attention.

Just funded: Juniper Genomics raises $4.6m to reinvent embryo screening

Juniper Genomics recently closed a $4.6 million seed round, led by Company Ventures, with participation from:

Amboy Street Ventures
Innospark Ventures
MBX Capital
Dria Ventures
Blue Collective

The investment will support Juniper’s commercial rollout across IVF clinics in North America and the expansion of its clinical, bioinformatics, and research teams.

“Juniper is bringing an unprecedented level of clarity, accuracy, and compassion to a process that often lacks all three.”
— Carli Sapir, Founding Partner, Amboy Street Ventures

The problem: IVF often fails, and no one tells you why

IVF offers hope, but comes with steep odds. Only 34% of cycles result in a live birth. That means many families go through multiple emotionally and financially draining rounds, often without a clear explanation when things go wrong.

One of the biggest culprits? Genetic abnormalities in embryos, many of which aren’t picked up by current preimplantation tests.

Most standard embryo screening only checks a limited number of genetic markers. That leaves many critical issues undetected, leading to failed transfers, miscarriages, or health complications after birth.

The solution: A radically clearer view of embryo health

Juniper Genomics has developed the most comprehensive embryo screening test available today. It combines three cutting-edge technologies:

Whole-genome sequencing – reads every letter of the embryo’s DNA
Transcriptome sequencing – shows which genes are “switched on” and how they’re functioning
Trio analysis – includes the DNA of both parents, offering critical genetic context.

Together, this approach dramatically increases accuracy and insight, detecting over 85% of known embryo genetic issues, compared to ~50% with current methods.

Think of it this way:

Most tests skim a few pages of a 1,000-page book.
Juniper reads the entire book, and understands the plot.

What Juniper does differently

Some companies rely on polygenic risk scores, which use population-level data to estimate future health risks. These are often vague, especially for diverse populations, and not always useful in clinical IVF.

Juniper takes a different path:

It screens for specific, well-characterised mutations, genetic changes that are already known to cause failed implantation, miscarriage, or serious childhood conditions.

These are not statistical guesses. They’re clinically proven, actionable findings that can inform real decisions in real time.

Why this is possible now

Juniper’s breakthrough approach is only recently possible thanks to four major advances:

Cheaper genome sequencing: costs have fallen from over £10,000 to under $1,000
Transcriptome technology: reveals how genes are behaving, not just what’s written in the DNA
AI + bioinformatics: powerful computing tools can now analyse millions of data points and link them to known medical conditions with high precision.
Public genomic databases: decades of research have mapped thousands of pathogenic mutations, enabling companies like Juniper to make full-embryo assessments that are clinically actionable.

This is the first time these technologies have been combined into a seamless, ethically guided, and clinically usable test for IVF.

Who’s behind Juniper?

Juniper Genomics was founded by a team of experts in genetics, bioethics, and clinical care:

Jeremy Grushcow, PhD, JD – CEO
Carolyn Quinlan, MSc – VP, Bioethics
Dr. Lee Shulman – Medical Director, clinical geneticist and professor

The company is based in Toronto, with staff and partnerships across North America. Juniper is also supported by public health innovation funding from Genome Canada and Genome Québec.

The market opportunity

The market for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) was valued at $780 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to $1.2–1.3 billion by 2030, with rising demand for better fertility outcomes.

With approximately 6 million IVF cycles taking place globally each year, there’s a huge unmet need for better diagnostics. Juniper’s platform is designed to meet that demand, helping families avoid repeated, painful cycles and supporting better long-term health outcomes.

What’s next

With fresh investment and validation in place, Juniper is now:

Deploying its test in IVF clinics across North America
Growing its bioinformatics and clinical support teams
Expanding research partnerships and early adopter networks.

Why we’re watching

At The Purse, we track the innovations that don’t just tweak the system, they transform it. Especially when they support women and families with more than just hope.

That’s exactly what Juniper Genomics is doing. They’re bringing clarity and compassion to a part of healthcare that has long been defined by guesswork, uncertainty, and emotional toll.

But here’s what makes this moment different:
This shift didn’t come from changing the story alone, it came from science catching up to the stakes.

Juniper’s breakthrough was made possible by the convergence of technology, affordability, and bioinformatics, whole-genome sequencing, transcriptome insights, and AI-powered analysis now within reach of clinical IVF. It simply wasn’t possible before.

And that’s what makes it so powerful:
It’s a glimpse of the step changes that can happen when technology evolves and we choose to build with people, not just patients, in mind.

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Jana via the The Purse website or tweet @jointhepurse and janicka. We do no provide investment advice. Please do your own research or speak to a financial adviser.

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