Beyond Blood: The Rise and Fall of a Unicorn (Yes, We're Talking About Theranos)

A detailed chart of how Theranos' valuation skyrocketed, then crashed and burned.

Amanda Pedersen

September 1, 2021

2 Min Read
Copy of Theranos Valuation Chart.png
Graphic by Amanda Pedersen

Theranos is back in the news this week as jury selection began for the upcoming fraud trial of the now-defunct company's founder Elizabeth Holmes. For MD+DI's coverage on the upcoming trial and a colorful look back at the company's rise and fall and the larger-than-life Holmes, click here.

This story and the accompanying graphic focuses on the astonishing valuation history of the company. Yes, we packed quite a bit of information into one relatively small graphic, but we hope it provides you with an interesting visual of the financial aspect of the Theranos story. Below is a more detailed run-down of the developments noted on the graphic.

Funding history of Theranos

June 15, 2004: Theranos raised $500,000 in seed funding from Threshold, bringing the company's valuation to about $30 million, according to Investopedia

Feb. 11, 2005: The company raised $5.8 million in a Series A round from Rupert Murdoch

Feb. 21, 2006: The company raised $9.1 million in a Series B round from ATA Ventures

Nov. 17, 2006: The company raised $28.5 million in a Series C from ATA Ventures and 3 other investors

2007: Theranos was valued at $197 million after additional early-round funding, according to Investopedia

July 8, 2010: Theranos raised $45 million in a Series Unknown round, bringing its valuation to $1 billion, according to Investopedia

Sept. 9, 2013: The company raised $50 million in a funding round from Walgreens

Feb. 1, 2014: Theranos raised $198.9 million in private equity, bringing its valuation to nearly $9 billion, according to Investopedia

March 1, 2015: The company raised $348.5 million in private equity from from B.J. Cassin and 7 other investors

July 2, 2015: FDA cleared Theranos' finger stick and venous blood test for herpes simplex virus-1

October 2015: The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published a scathing investigative report that in many ways, looking back, signals the beginning of the end for the company that was once a widely-celebrated unicorn. Following the WSJ report, Theranos came under scruitny by both FDA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Walgreens cut ties with the company.

Dec. 23, 2017: Theranos received $100 million in debt financing led by Fortress Investment Group.

Debt Financing. That was the last known funding round for the company.

September 2018: Theranos ceased operations

About the Author

Amanda Pedersen

Amanda Pedersen is a veteran journalist and award-winning columnist with a passion for helping medical device professionals connect the dots between the medtech news of the day and the bigger picture. She has been covering the medtech industry since 2006.

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