Investor Profiles: Jessica Moon

In our latest investor profile, we’re excited to introduce Jessica Moon, Executive Director of the Longevity, Equity, Accessibility, Multi-Racial Consortium at Stanford University and Venture Partner at Going VC. 

With a unique blend of experience across health equity research, venture capital, and founder support, Jessica offers an insightful perspective on early-stage investing and the intricacies of supporting new ventures.

Three Hats, One Mission

Could you give us an overview of your roles and how they’re interconnected?

While they may seem quite different, all three roles are connected by a common thread–supporting biomedical innovation and particularly the people doing the work. First, as the Executive Director of the Longevity Research Center at Stanford, I focus on supporting early career faculty in launching new projects in aging and health equity. We pull in talent from various disciplines—engineering, medicine, and even computer science—bring innovative health equity solutions to life. This creates a small bit of data so awardees can be more competitive for a larger follow-on grant from the National Institutes of Health..

The second role is as a Venture Partner on the health-tech team at Going VC, an angel syndicate that I’ve been involved with since April. I source deals, conduct due diligence, and write investment memos. I enjoy working closely with founders and shepherd deals all the way through to the investment committee. GVC funds early-stage startups from pre-seed to Series A. It's been a great experience. 

I very much enjoy working with founders. In all of my roles, I notice barriers and think how I can break them down. So, my third and newest hat involves supporting early-stage founders through a newsletter and website focused on with grant writing. Grants are a great source of non-dilutive funding, especially through the federal small business program, but they often appear complicated and intimidating. To address this, I created a website and newsletter called ‘Funding for Founders’, where I provide resources and templates to help founders navigate the process and make grants more accessible.

You mentioned the Longevity Research Center. Is there any way for people outside the Stanford ecosystem to get involved, especially startups?

Yes! Our grants program is national, so assistant professors across the country can apply. We provide seed funding of around $40,000 to help kickstart projects. Although the program is designed for early-career faculty, we often connect startups with researchers if their work aligns with academic research needs. However, a university’s approach can sometimes feel transactional, like "give us money, and we’ll do your research." So I focus on making those connections thoughtful and well-aligned.

Switching gears to Going VC, can you tell us about their investment thesis and how they approach deals, particularly in health tech?

Going VC is unique in that it’s sector-agnostic and funds deals globally, not just in the U.S., which is less common for venture funds. The health tech team, which I’m part of, brings together experts from pharma, wearable technology, and other health-related fields. The team has an impressive breadth and depth of expertise, so a lot of the diligence happens at the team level well before the deal advances to the investment committee. What makes Going VC special is the opportunity it provides for people to transition from learning about VC to actively participating in deals, which creates a diverse investment pipeline.

You also help founders with grant writing. Can you give us a high-level overview of the grant landscape? Where should founders start?

There are three major categories of grants: federal funders like NIH, nonprofits and professional societies like the American Cancer Society, and local grants like those from state governments. For founders, it’s crucial to build relationships with grantors, especially at the federal level. You need someone within the organization who advocates for your project. Applying for grants blindly is usually a waste of time. It’s all about targeting the right opportunities.

The Importance of the Founder

What is one thing you always look for in a founder?

Openness to feedback. There’s so much noise in the startup world, and everyone seems to have an opinion about what founders should or shouldn’t do. But the founders who can listen to the feedback, distill what’s useful, and make changes are the ones who thrive.  

I've been working with a founder who seeks feedback from lots of people and continually refines their pitch deck. The most recent version is quite good. That ability to continually grow and soak up as much knowledge and then respond to it shows me they’re ready to take their company to the next level.

What are the most common challenges you see founders face?

Time management is a huge one. Founders are often pulled in a hundred different directions—fundraising, product development, hiring, and networking. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially in places like the Bay Area, where there’s always another event or meeting to attend. Founders need to be selective about where they spend their time and focus on the activities that will have the highest impact.

What’s one common myth about venture capital or investing that you’d like to dispel?

A common misconception is that venture capital is purely a numbers game. Yes, there’s science behind evaluating metrics and potential returns, but there’s also an art to investing. You need to understand the human aspect—how the founder fits with the problem, how they respond to adversity, and how well they can lead a team. The human side of venture capital is often overlooked, but it’s crucial to success.

What is one piece of advice you often give to founders?

Listen more than you talk. It sounds simple, but I’ve seen founders miss key insights by not actively listening to the feedback they’re given. Whether you’re talking to a VC, a customer, or an advisor, there’s value in being able to take a step back and absorb what’s being said. You don’t have to act on every piece of advice, but there’s always something valuable to learn.

What’s the most important thing a Seed-stage or Series A founder should focus on?

Know your customers inside and out. In the early stages, finding product-market fit is everything. You need to understand your customer better than anyone else at your company because this knowledge will shape your product, your messaging, and ultimately your ability to scale.

Navigating the Grant Landscape

In addition to your work at Going VC, you’re also deeply involved in grant writing. What’s a common misconception founders have about grants?

A lot of founders think that grant writing is an impersonal process—like you submit your application into a black hole and hope for the best. But in reality, even at the federal level, program officers want to engage with applicants. They look for opportunities that align with their portfolios. If you can build a relationship and show them how your project fits, you significantly improve your chances.

What’s the easiest grant to get, if there is such a thing?

There’s no easy grant, but easiest one is the one that is the best fit. You’re most likely to succeed where you’ve built relationships with the funders. In the case of family foundations, for example, understanding their motivations and goals is key. For federal grants, it’s all about finding the right program within the larger ecosystem and getting someone to advocate for the project.

Personal Insights

What’s a surprising fact about you?

I’ve had a pretty unconventional career path. A bachelor’s in biology is pretty limiting, and I couldn’t land a job in my field. I worked as a cashier for seven years and took on a variety of jobs—everything from manufacturing wire for Boeing aircraft to building circuit boards for air purification systems in hospitals. Eventually, I transitioned into research by volunteering in a lab that studied blood coagulation and then pursued my PhD. But that winding path has definitely shaped how I approach challenges today.

What’s the best way for people to reach you?

LinkedIn is the easiest way to connect with me, especially since I manage different roles and email accounts for each.