The Californer - TCA Venture Group Portfolio Company BMI OrganBank Honored with Luis Villalobos Award in Life Sciences

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BMI OrganBank allows donor organs to remain viable for longer with its portable, bloodless, room-temperature preservation system

IRVINE, Calif. - Californer -- TCA Venture Group (TCA VG) announced today that the Angel Capital Association (ACA) awarded the Luis Villalobos Award in Life Sciences to BMI OrganBank, a TCA VG portfolio company. Named in memory of Tech Coast Angels founder Luis Villalobos, the Luis Villalobos Award recognizes the two most innovative and ingenious start-up companies of the year, one each in Life Sciences and Technology. Golden Seeds, an angel investment organization that increases access to capital for women entrepreneurs, nominated the company for the award. The award was presented at ACA's Annual Summit this Spring.

BMI OrganBank has patented and developed an organ preservation platform that maintains physiologic viability in human kidneys for up to 72 hours. The organs are preserved in an active metabolic state that actively simulates a human body and provides oxygen and nutrients, without requiring blood. In 2025, the company received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, which will accelerate BMI Organ Bank's clinical validation path.

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Dr. Thomas Lee, chair of TCA-Orange County's medical and life sciences committee and primary deal lead for TCA VG, said, "It's exceedingly rare to find a company that ticks so many boxes of what we look for in a medtech startup: from valuation to solving a real problem to having strong leadership with stellar key opinion leaders with a device that greatly impacts the well-being of humanity. Sometimes we'll see a pitch that looks more like a science project than a business, but BMI Organ Bank truly redefines organ transplantation and will dramatically increase access to donor organs and profoundly increase the quality of life for so many. They have a revolutionary clinical solution which seamlessly fits in with the current workflow, does not pose adoption issues, and meaningfully improves clinical outcomes. It is clearly superior to the current standard of care."

"We are incredibly honored to receive the Luis Villalobos Award in Life Sciences from the Angel Capital Association. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is the rigorous diligence and conviction behind it. We're grateful to TCA Venture Group and Golden Seeds for their support and shared belief that innovation can transform the future of organ transplantation," said Carrie DiMarzio, CEO & Co-Founder of BMI OrganBank.

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TCA VG funded the company earlier this year.

To learn more about membership or apply for funding with TCA VG, visit www.tcaventuregroup.com.

About TCA Venture Group
Founded as Tech Coast Angels in 1997, TCA Venture Group (TCA VG) has invested approximately $315 million in 596 companies, attracting an additional $3 billion in capital. Since 2019, TCA VG has invested $6-21 million in funding each year, with $9 million invested in 2025. The return on all outcomes since the organization's inception has been 5.4x with an IRR of 22%. TCA VG is a key seed and early-stage funding source, with about 300 accredited investors in five member networks: TCA-Los Angeles, TCA-Orange County, TCA-Inland Empire, Pasadena Angels, and 1752vc accelerator. TCA VG members, including founders and business leaders, deliver more than capital — providing early stage companies with counsel, mentorship, and access to extensive networks. www.tcaventuregroup.com.