Yan studied Biophysics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro where he worked as an assistant researcher at the Laboratory of Conjunctive Tissue. Yan also studied Mechanical Engineering and Computer Aided Design Technology at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. After graduating, he Co-Founded NewPro3D, a start-up in the field of additive manufacturing, where he acted as Director of Research and Development.
Yan is a researcher and entrepreneur at heart, who is trained in mechanical engineering and biophysics. He brings experience from the private start-up world through the development and management of multiphase projects, and the creation of intellectual property and know-how. Currently, Yan dedicates his time and knowledge to growing passionate teams to bring meaningful technologies to the market.
Dr. Gruionu is a researcher, entrepreneur and technology development consultant. For the last eight years, he worked at the Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital, most recently as Assistant Professor of Surgery and Director of Innovation. He is founder and executive leader of three US medical product and innovation consulting startup companies. He has a Mathematics and Computer Science Degree from the University of Craiova, Romania. He earned a MS Degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a PhD Degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Arizona and performed six years of post-doctoral studies in the Departments of Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School. He gained an extensive R&D experience as a product specialist in the medical product industry at W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc where he supported seven medical products which are commercialized worldwide.
Donald Kuk is an innovative, multiple industry award winning Global Transformation, Operational Excellence and Quality Management Executive with more than 20 years of delivering record setting top line growth, customer and employee satisfaction, and margin improvement leading rapid Enterprise Transformation and Operational Excellence for the world most highly regarded banking, insurance, technology, healthcare and manufacturing industry leaders.
Widely published successes include advanced metrics, analytics, strategy, mission, vision, program, milestones, budget and roadmap development, multi-tiered communication, transformation and improvement program management, quality, training, change and performance management, and results verification for AIG, Ca Technologies, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Telaxis Communications, all Divisions of GE, NBC, Lockheed Martin, Nokia and Acer Computer.
Donald is a frequent invited Keynote Speaker, Session Chairman and Tutorial Presenter at CEO, CFO, CIO, CTO, Operational Excellence and Enterprise Strategy events worldwide.
After completing a bachelor’s degree from Pacific University, Oregon, Sonny earned his MD from the American program at Karol Marcinkowski Medical School, Poland. He brings over a decade of broad therapeutic pharmaceutical & medical device strategy consulting and advisory experience as well as executive director level roles in the start-up space. Sonny’s passion for innovation and his engineering spirit lead him into robotics, neuroscience and A.I. while at Cyberworks Robotics Inc. Sonny is a conscious futurist and desires to see humans advance with higher quality of life and a more patient-centric and personalized medicine approach. He believes that technologies used in a smart collective way will help in building the right infrastructure as we move through the 4th industrial revolution to better serve and evolve us as a human race.
Craig Taggart provides almost a decade of experience in the fields of Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Financing. Craig works with each client at the highest level to achieve the highest value for their business within the capital markets. Craig’s experience with BCC Capital Partners in the M&A Industry has greatly contributed to his understanding of transaction structure, strategic placement of buyers, and the attainment of maximum market value for his clients. Craig has represented and sold many businesses in a number of different industries and has significant experience working with companies in: Exclusive focus on select subsectors of life sciences, immunooncology, hemophilia, genomics, respiratory, Pharmaceutical services, Diagnostic products and services in biotechnology and commercial real estate.
Mackenzie joined Academic Technology Ventures in 2018 from Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), where he structured financial derivative products for the investment banks’ clients and worked on developing strategic initiatives across film, entertainment, technology, and real estate. Prior to MUFG, Mackenzie worked as an Analyst at Harvey & Company, an M&A advisory firm in Newport Beach, California where he evaluated new investment opportunities and supported existing portfolio companies within the distribution and manufacturing space.
Mackenzie has always had a passion for start-ups and technology innovation, founding his own mobile app and serving as an advisor for a successful Los Angeles based internet marketing start-up. He has also been a guest speaker including most recently presenting a TEDx Talk on the importance of face-to-face communication in a world of technology and social media. After playing soccer semi-professionally for Toronto FC’s Academy team, Mackenzie graduated with honors from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he earned his BBA in Finance with a focus in Entrepreneurship.
A former U.S. Navy pilot, Don started his business career with The Service Bureau Company as a Systems Marketing Exec after leaving military service in 1978. In that role, Don participated in the implementation of some of the early Yield Management Systems at Delta, Northwest and Piedmont Airlines. Subsequent executive and managerial positions at IBM, Control Data and KPMG over the next 23 years afforded Don the opportunity to gain valuable experience with some of the largest and most successful solutions companies in the world.
In 2001, Don started Fresh Eyes Consulting with a focus on Sales Effectiveness and Sales Execution. Over the next 15 years, Don has worked directly with technology leaders such as SalesForce.com, Netapp, Cisco Systems, Riverbed Technologies and Rockwell Automation to help those organization design and implement processes that would produce predictable and repeatable results.
Having remained active in the aviation industry after leaving the Navy, Don accepted a consulting engagement in 2011 with a Part 121 Supplemental Air Carrier as that carrier’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In that role, Don was able to help reestablish that carrier’s 121 certification and to establish an OEM agreement with an international aircraft manufacturer to sell their new aircraft in the United States.
Naeem is a Senior Web Developer & Graphic Designer with over 5 Years of experience in the I.T. Industry. He earned a BS-Hons (I.T) from the University of the Punjab.
He has worked on different projects which include personal websites and e-commerce store to corporate websites. He is passionate about obtaining the latest knowledge to be ahead of the game in his profession.
His mission is to focus on building trust and provide reliable services and build long-term business relationships with his clients.
Robert has a passion for business development. This has been demonstrated with his success-driven results across lean manufacturing, finance, marketing, and retail industries.
He has over 20 years of experience streamlining processes within the business world. His communication and account development skills have allowed him to cultivate life-long business relationships. The methodical, outside-the-box thinking that he brings to innovation has delivered continuous positive results.
He attended Middle Georgia college where he studied criminal justice and later focused on business development.
He enjoys hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities in his spare time.
Business Administrative Assistant, Stephanie has a passion for business as demonstrated from her experiences attending the C.T. Bauer College of Business where she earned a degree in Business Foundations and a Corporate Entrepreneurship certificate. She is currently continuing her studies at the University of Houston. She enjoys teaching children as a counselor at kid’s camps.
