The dental equipment industry in the US is a vital sector focused on manufacturing and supplying devices and instruments used in oral healthcare. Companies in this field range from large distributors, like Henry Schein, to innovative startups creating advanced dental technologies. The industry offers a variety of products such as diagnostic tools, imaging equipment, and treatment devices. As consumer awareness around oral health rises, the market is leaning towards more tech-driven solutions, with an emphasis on patient engagement and efficiency. Recent trends include the integration of AI technologies and smart tools, reshaping dental practices toward more personalized care.


This list features 16 influential investors spanning corporate, venture capital, and private equity sectors. Headquartered in key locations across the US, these firms manage various portfolio sizes and have different founding years, with investments totaling 1 to over 800 in 2024 alone. Notable participants include Henry Schein, a cornerstone in healthcare distribution, and Y Combinator, a renowned startup accelerator. Together, they showcase a significant commitment to transforming dental technologies and services, reflecting the sector’s growth and diversification.


Top 16 Dental Equipment Investors in the US


1. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It provides funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies through a structured program that includes resources like the Startup School and co-founder matching services. Y Combinator has successfully launched over 4,000 startups, establishing itself as a key player in the technology startup ecosystem. Among its diverse portfolio, Y Combinator has invested in Snazzy, a direct-to-consumer dental care startup, which raised $2.2 million in a recent funding round, with Y Combinator as the top investor. This investment highlights Y Combinator's engagement in the dental industry, particularly in innovative dental care solutions, further supporting its relevance in the dental equipment sector.


2. Sosv

  • Website: sosv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 170
  • LinkedIn: sosv

SOSV is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. The firm provides venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow in various sectors, including health and climate technology. Notably, SOSV has been involved in transactions related to dental equipment, such as its investment in Kolibree, a Paris-based hardware startup that raised $4 million in a Series A funding round. Kolibree focuses on innovative dental health solutions, including smart toothbrushes that gamify dental care for children. This involvement highlights SOSV's interest in the dental equipment space, alongside its broader investment strategy that spans multiple industries.


3. Henry Schein

  • Website: henryschein.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Melville, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1932
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: henry-schein

Henry Schein, Inc. is a prominent health care distributor based in Melville, New York, specializing in dental and medical supplies. Founded in 1932, the company serves a diverse range of health care professionals, providing essential products and services aimed at enhancing practice performance and patient care. Henry Schein has made several strategic acquisitions in the dental sector, including Dental Cremer in 2016, Arseus Dental Solutions in 2014, and The Dentists Supply Company in 2020. These acquisitions reflect the company's commitment to strengthening its operations in the dental industry. Additionally, the acquisition of Biotech Dental in 2022 further underscores its focus on expanding its dental offerings. With a strong emphasis on customer service and a global presence, Henry Schein ensures reliable access to health care solutions, making it a key player in the dental equipment market.


4. OrbiMed

  • Website: orbimed.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 52
  • LinkedIn: orbimed-advisors

OrbiMed is a venture capital firm based in New York, specializing in healthcare investments. Founded in 1989, the firm manages approximately $17 billion in assets across various investment strategies, focusing on biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and healthcare services. Notably, OrbiMed has been actively involved in the dental equipment sector through its investments in Sonendo, Inc., a company known for its innovative dental technology. OrbiMed participated in several funding rounds for Sonendo, including a $35 million equity financing in December 2016, a $35 million Series D round in August 2014, and a $27 million Series C round in June 2013. These transactions highlight OrbiMed's engagement in the dental equipment industry, supporting the commercialization of advanced dental treatment systems.


5. The Riverside Company


The Riverside Company is a private equity investment firm based in New York, specializing in providing flexible capital solutions and strategic guidance to smaller middle-market businesses across various industries. Founded in 1988, Riverside manages a diverse portfolio of over 140 companies globally. In the dental sector, Riverside has made significant investments, including the acquisition of G&H Orthodontics in December 2010, SpofaDental in April 1998, and Dental Plans in March 2012. Additionally, they made a minority investment in North American Dental Group in August 2015, aiming to support its growth through further acquisitions and service expansions. These transactions highlight Riverside's active role in the dental equipment and services market, showcasing their commitment to fostering growth in this industry.


6. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. The fund has been actively involved in the dental industry, with notable investments including Torch Dental, which raised $17 million in a venture round and $10.5 million in a Series B round, showcasing its commitment to dental technology. Additionally, the fund invested in KLOWEN Braces during its seed round, further emphasizing its focus on dental innovations. These transactions highlight the fund's strategic interest in the dental equipment and services sector, making it a relevant player in this market.


7. Silicon Valley Bank

  • Website: svb.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1983
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 31
  • LinkedIn: silicon-valley-bank

Silicon Valley Bank is a commercial bank founded in 1983, located in Santa Clara, California, specializing in providing financial services to the innovation economy, particularly tech startups and venture capital firms. They offer a range of products including business banking, global payments, and asset management, helping clients navigate financial challenges and support their growth. Notably, Silicon Valley Bank has been involved in significant transactions within the dental equipment context, such as providing $10 million in debt financing to Quip, a company that focuses on oral care products and has also acquired a dental insurance startup. This investment highlights their engagement in the dental sector, alongside other healthcare-related investments like Apama Medical and Providence Medical Technology, indicating a broader interest in medical technology and equipment.


8. Oxford Finance LLC

  • Website: oxfordfinance.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Alexandria, Virginia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2002
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: oxford-finance-llc

Oxford Finance LLC is a corporate financial services company based in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 2002. The firm specializes in providing flexible lending solutions to middle-market companies, particularly in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. They offer a variety of financial products, including enterprise lending, leveraged lending, and real estate financing. Notably, Oxford Finance has been involved in significant transactions within the dental equipment industry, such as a $20 million debt financing for Keystone Dental in 2011, a $10 million debt financing for Sonendo in 2014, and a substantial $115 million senior credit facility for Pearl Street Dental Management in 2022. These transactions highlight their active role in supporting dental companies and their growth initiatives.


9. Kkr

  • Website: kkr.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR has established itself as a leader in asset management, providing solutions to institutional investors and individual clients. In the dental sector, KKR has made notable investments, including a majority acquisition of Heartland Dental, the largest dental support organization in the U.S., which underscores their commitment to the dental industry. They also participated in a private equity round for 123Dentist, further solidifying their presence in the dental market. Additionally, KKR arranged a substantial debt facility for MB2 Dental Solutions, indicating their support for growth in dental services. These transactions highlight KKR's strategic focus on the dental equipment and services sector, alongside their broader investment portfolio.


10. SV Health Investors


SV Health Investors is a venture capital firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, specializing in healthcare and life sciences investments. Founded in 1993, the firm focuses on providing growth equity and venture capital to innovative healthcare companies, helping them scale operations and improve patient care. Notably, SV Health Investors has been involved in significant transactions within the dental equipment sector, including investments in Sirona Dental System, a prominent player in dental technology, and Cadent, which specializes in digital dentistry solutions. These investments highlight their engagement in the dental equipment industry, alongside their broader healthcare focus.


11. Sand Hill Angels

  • Website: sandhillangels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2000
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: sand-hill-angels

Sand Hill Angels is an angel investment group founded in 2000, based in Mountain View, California. They focus on providing funding and mentorship to technology startups, offering access to capital, networking opportunities, and guidance throughout the startup journey. Their members are experienced investors and business leaders who actively participate in the startup ecosystem. Notably, Sand Hill Angels has been involved in transactions with quip, a modern oral health care brand that raised significant funding to scale its consumer packaged goods business and innovate in professional services. This involvement highlights their interest in the dental equipment sector, particularly in companies that are innovating in oral health care. Additionally, they have participated in various funding rounds for other startups, showcasing their active role in supporting emerging technologies across different industries.


12. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. Notably, 500 Global has made significant investments in the dental sector, including DentaCarts, an Egyptian dental e-commerce startup that raised $450,000 to become a leader in dental eCommerce in the Middle East and Africa. Other relevant transactions include DentaLight and Zentist, both of which received seed funding to develop innovative solutions in the dental industry. These investments highlight 500 Global's commitment to supporting growth in the dental equipment and technology space.


13. StartUp Health

  • Website: startuphealth.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn: startuphealth

StartUp Health is a not-for-profit organization based in New York, founded in 2011, that focuses on health innovation. They support health entrepreneurs and startups through their Health Moonshot Communities, providing resources, networking opportunities, and media content aimed at addressing significant health challenges. StartUp Health has been involved in several transactions relevant to the dental equipment sector, including investments in MouthWatch and Zentist, both of which raised funds in seed rounds in 2015. MouthWatch specializes in dental imaging and telehealth solutions, while Zentist focuses on dental billing and insurance technology. These investments highlight StartUp Health's commitment to advancing health technology, including dental innovations.


14. Kleiner Perkins

  • Website: kleinerperkins.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1972
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 38
  • LinkedIn: kleiner-perkins

Kleiner Perkins is a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California, founded in 1972. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage and growth companies, providing both capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs. With a focus on technology and life sciences, Kleiner Perkins has backed over 900 ventures, establishing itself as a key player in the venture capital landscape. Notably, Kleiner Perkins has participated in several significant transactions in the dental equipment sector, including multiple funding rounds for Align Technology, a leader in dental aligners, and SmileDirectClub, a startup focused on teeth straightening solutions. Their recent investment in Lightforce Orthodontics further underscores their active role in the dental industry, highlighting their commitment to supporting innovations that enhance dental care and orthodontics.


15. The Carlyle Group

  • Website: carlyle.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: the-carlyle-group

The Carlyle Group Inc. is a prominent investment management firm founded in 1987, specializing in private equity, real assets, and private credit. With a global presence and a focus on delivering tailored investment solutions to institutional investors, Carlyle has established itself as a leader in alternative asset classes. Notably, Carlyle has made significant strides in the dental equipment sector, exemplified by its acquisition of exocad GmbH in 2016, a company that provides dental CAD/CAM software solutions, highlighting its commitment to the dental medicine market. Additionally, Carlyle participated in the Series D funding round for Align Technology in 2000, which raised $86 million, further indicating its involvement in the dental industry. These transactions reflect Carlyle's strategic interest in enhancing its portfolio within the dental equipment space, making it a noteworthy player in this sector.


16. Perceptive Advisors


Perceptive Advisors is a venture capital firm based in New York, specializing in the life sciences sector. Founded in 1999, the firm provides capital solutions and investment management services to both private and public healthcare companies, with a strong emphasis on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Notably, Perceptive Advisors has participated in significant transactions within the dental equipment context, such as their involvement with Sonendo, Inc., a prominent dental technology company that announced an $85 million financing round led by EW Healthcare Partners, with Perceptive Advisors being one of the investors. This highlights their engagement in the dental technology space, showcasing their capability to support innovation and growth in this sector.



Dental Equipment Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
Henry ScheinMelville, New York, United States (USA)10001+19321
OrbiMedNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-200198952
The Riverside CompanyNew York, New York, United States (USA)201-500198812
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
Silicon Valley BankSanta Clara, California, United States (USA)5001-10000198331
Oxford Finance LLCAlexandria, Virginia, United States (USA)51-20020022
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
SV Health InvestorsBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)51-20019938
Sand Hill AngelsMountain View, California, United States (USA)51-20020003
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
StartUp HealthNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-5020110
Kleiner PerkinsMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)11-50197238
The Carlyle GroupWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-5000198725
Perceptive AdvisorsNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-50199945


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