Trusted Biotechnology Investments Experts

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Started my career at Sagentia Innovation, I helped global consumer and industrial companies such as P&G to identify and evaluate market opportunities of new technologies and products. I joined Oxford University Innovation in 2016, focusing on commercialising Oxford University's research outcomes through licensing and creating spin-out ventures. I am passionate about cleantech innovation, currently leading a Climate Tech initiative at OUI, launched the Oxford Climate Tech and Sustainability Innovation Challenge 2021 this summer to engage Oxford researchers and local innovation eco-system to tackle climate crisis together. I am always eager and self-motivated to learn new knowledge and develop new skills, enjoying the challenges of stepping out of comfort zone while keeping the focus. I am passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship, and how to bring these together to create real impact to the society. I am a great team player, sociable and optimistic. I enjoy leading, coaching and mentoring, in particular when I can support and make others succeed in their endeavours

I entered the hemp space at the very beginning when there were almost no guardrails, no industry playbook, and very few operators who truly understood what it took to formulate something that actually worked. Hemp-derived flower and hemp wellness products were barely a category. What existed was largely untested, poorly sourced, and built around novelty rather than need. From day one, our approach was different purpose before profit, formulation before marketing, and a deep belief that every formulation should serve a real purpose. At JustKana, I oversee product development, quality control, and sourcing from the ground up. That means building relationships directly with small-batch organic hemp farms, evaluating raw material quality before it ever reaches a formulation stage, and ensuring every finished product meets both our internal standards and third-party lab verification. My work lives at the intersection of plant science and consumer wellness. I specialize in cannabinoid formulation for real therapeutic outcomes sleep support, chronic pain relief, anxiety management, and inflammation using full-spectrum hemp extracts that preserve the natural compound profile of the plant rather than isolating single ingredients. Over the years I've helped develop products that have made a measurable difference for thousands of people veterans managing PTSD, seniors dealing with chronic joint pain, and individuals looking to replace pharmaceutical sleep aids with something cleaner and plant-derived. That direct connection to consumer outcomes shapes every formulation decision I make. I understand the hemp supply chain from soil to finished product cultivation practices, extraction methods, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, and how sourcing decisions downstream directly impact what a customer experiences. In a space flooded with white-labeled, mass-produced products, that depth of knowledge is rare.

Jason White is the CEO and majority owner of LEC Partners, a Cambridge, MA-based advisory firm that has helped clients navigate the bioeconomy for over 30 years. He works with investors, developers, and operators to evaluate technologies, structure projects, and reduce technical and commercial risk in areas such as renewable fuels, biomaterials, and low-carbon feedstocks. Jason’s background spans four continents and multiple industries, including fintech, medtech, and renewable energy. Before leading LEC Partners, he ran a fintech and consulting firm in Shenzhen, advised the founder of a medical device startup in Switzerland, and managed C-suite relationships with major retailers, banks, IT firms, and private equity investors. This mix of operating, deal-making, and cross-border experience gives Jason a practical perspective on how emerging technologies move from concept to bankable projects. Journalists often turn to him for clear explanations of complex topics such as project development risk, bioeconomy policy impacts, and how investors are underwriting new technologies in real deals. Jason is based in the Greater Boston area with his family, where he is raising two sons, coaching youth sports, and staying closely engaged with the next generation of problem-solvers.

Joannes van Cann is a talented manager with a unique blend of scientific and business acumen. He holds a PhD in molecular biology and is currently pursuing an MBA at an internationally renowned business school. With versatile experience across several European countries, Joannes has successfully progressed clinical trials of world-class clients. Furthermore, he has assisted in the Strategic Corporate Development of his employer, by performing various Business Analyses and contributing to the overall strategy. Joannes is seeking a challenging role that demands a strategic business insight and offers a measurable impact on a company, business unit or team. As a skilled communicator, leader, and strategist, he excels in using his skills to the company’s advantage. He has shown to be flexible, adaptive, problem-solving, stress-resilient and creative. His commitment to lifelong learning and professional development makes him an asset to any organization.

Gaurav Shah is the Managing Partner of Trident Renewables, advising institutional investors and corporate leaders on renewable energy, advanced biofuels, green hydrogen, and the broader energy transition. With nearly two decades of experience operating and investing in renewable energy businesses, evaluating technology pathways, commercial models, and regulatory pathways (IRA, OBBBA, LCFS, EU Fit for 55, TCFD, Scope 3, ESG) across the US, EU, and UK, he helps decision-makers navigate complex climate and energy markets with clarity. His work spans commercial due diligence, technology feasibility, carbon markets, SAF and e-fuel pathways, green hydrogen economics, and emerging clean-energy infrastructure. Drawing on both technical training and deep experience in private capital, Gaurav distills highly technical information like IRA incentives, LCFS/CORSIA frameworks, feedstock dynamics and GHG emissions accounting into practical insights that inform strategic investment and policy decisions. He is regularly sought after for his ability to simplify complicated climate tech topics and connect engineering realities with financial, regulatory, and market outcomes.

Antonella Serine is Co-founder of KLA Digital, a Monaco-based AI governance platform helping enterprises comply with the EU AI Act. She brings over a decade of experience in financial services and strategic planning, including roles at BNP Paribas Cardif (strategic planning and regional financial control across Argentina and Chile), Accenture, and the Buenos Aires City Government. She specializes in bridging the gap between AI regulation and enterprise implementation in banking, insurance, and other highly regulated industries.

Gaurav Shah is the Managing Partner at Arete Ventures, advising founders, early-stage teams, and institutional investors across the US, EU, UK and India, with extensive experience in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Over the past 19+ years, he has worked across the full spectrum of entrepreneurship and private capital; from guiding startups on market signals, traction, fundraising, and scaling decisions to supporting investment firms on due diligence, M&A, portfolio value creation, and performance improvement. He brings a blended operator–investor perspective, having evaluated hundreds of companies for institutional investors (PE, VC, hedge funds, and family offices) while also working directly with investor backed entrepreneurs on strategy, product-market fit, and execution. His pattern-recognition across both sides of the table allows him to translate real market truths into practical, founder-ready insights. He further serves on the investment committee (IC) for venture capital firms and advises board members actively across US & EU. Focus Areas Entrepreneurship & Startup Advisory: product-market fit, early traction, market validation, GTM strategy, fundraising readiness, founder coaching Institutional Investor Advisory (buy side): commercial & technical due diligence, M&A strategy, competitive intelligence, investment memos, portfolio performance improvement Sectors: AI, SaaS, fintech, blockchain, climate-tech, renewable energy, Web 3.0, deeptech, life sciences and other frontier technologies

Authentic technology recruitment leader with expertise in executive talent acquisition and building high performance recruitment teams, primarily within the tech/digital/creative disciplines.

Skilled, highly knowledgeable, and analytical professional with over fourteen years experience in the healthcare sector. Primary expertise in providing strategic insights and actionable information to life science companies. Proficient in molecular diagnostics, point of care diagnostics, genomics, immunoassays, oncology diagnostics, cardiology diagnostics, infectious disease diagnostics and personalized medicine. Strong ability in capturing customer insights, performing technical analysis, sizing niche segments, financial modeling, evaluating market dynamics, identify/evaluate new product potential, and presenting high impact, tactical recommendations. Specialties: Extensive knowledge in the genomics, in-vitro diagnostics space. Demonstrated success in managing teams and clients, assessing business models identifying market opportunities/risks and developing strategies to optimize market penetration, competitive advantage and profit.

Over a decade of experience creating successful teams, exceeding sales goals, and developing effective marketing strategies for the private investment space. Through lead generation, networking, and various marketing tools, Kelly has helped raise over $500 million dollars of capital from individual private investors for several industries. She is an innovative problem solver and a natural leader focused on the big picture.

Strategic and results-driven business, growth & commerce leader with 14+ years of international experience across different industries, including tech and fintech. Successfully launched 8 international businesses and start-up companies (Fintech, GenAI, E-com, Biotech, Commodity trading, ML PaaS, etc) in 15+ countries and in complex jurisdictions. Co-issued Visa debit cards for 300k users, structured bank–fintech P&L mechanics. Brought a biotech startup from 0 to $1.5M ARR international revenue in 9 months during COVID with zero marketing budget. Launched international cross-border B2C e-com for 100M users. Managed and advised on AI, ML and Data strategy 60+ enterprise clients within 10 countries, including F500 companies, e.g. KPMG, DELL, IBM and 100+ startups. Fundraised 1M+ from tier-1 VC around the world. Adept at fostering relationships, driving revenue growth, and leading cross functional teams to pursue and achieve excellence. Fluent in 4 languages (English, Mandarin Chinese, French, Russian).

Max Avery, a dynamic business development executive at Digital Ascension Group, drives growth across industries with a sharp focus on market leadership. His deep knowledge of traditional and emerging financial markets, backed by certifications like Capital Markets & Securities Analyst (CMSA)® and FinTech Industry Professional (FTIP)™, informs his strategic approach. Since 2016, he has excelled in raising capital and structuring deals in private equity and real estate. Appointed to the District Export Council by Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in 2018, and a member of the National Small Business Association’s Economic Development Committee, Avery shapes policies for business growth. Guided by a philosophy of excellence, he turns complex challenges into practical solutions, establishing himself as a trusted strategist committed to lasting impact.

Dr. Robert Abraham is a regenerative medicine consultant and healthcare strategy advisor with more than a decade of experience operating multi-location healthcare practices. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Biology from the University of Central Florida before pursuing advanced training in clinical operations and regenerative-focused program development. Based in Florida, Dr. Abraham has worked with healthcare organizations throughout the Orlando region and nationwide, advising clinics on structured implementation, operational systems design, revenue forecasting, and compliance-conscious growth within regenerative medicine and wound care services. In addition to his consulting work, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of Cross Biotech, a biologics distribution company supporting providers in aligning product access with disciplined operational frameworks. His work emphasizes infrastructure-driven expansion, leadership accountability, and sustainable healthcare systems.

Dr. James Utley is a pioneering scientist at the forefront of cellular therapy, AI, and data science. A Johns Hopkins-educated Immunohematology expert and Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP), he also holds advanced certifications in data science and machine learning. While serving as Technical Director at a major healthcare organization, Dr. Utley oversaw more than 150,000 successful cellular transfusions and spearheaded advancements that significantly improved patient outcomes. This experience included leading initiatives for the Department of Defense, where he revolutionized cellular transfusion practices. His innovative approach is further exemplified by his FDA-approved work and numerous publications in leading scientific journals. Dr. Utley is also known for his bold, hands-on approach to research, embodying the spirit of a "biohacker" by pushing the boundaries of CRISPR and genetic engineering through self-experimentation. This unique blend of rigorous scientific training and unconventional methods has earned him the moniker "the pirate" within the biohacker community.

Nicholas Mukhtar's professional path shifted after he studied the Affordable Care Act while completing a medical program. According to Parks & Recreation Magazine, he decided to "create systems change at the community level and focus on prevention" rather than pursue clinical medicine. This decision led him to found Healthy Detroit in 2013, a nonprofit that transformed Detroit parks into community wellness centers. The organization provided free health screenings, fitness programming, and nutritional education, ultimately earning recognition as the American Public Health Association's National Public Health Organization of the Year in 2017. Mukhtar's academic credentials include a bachelor's degree from Wayne State University (2013) and dual master's degrees in Public Policy and Public Health from Johns Hopkins University (2017), where he was selected as a Bloomberg Fellow. He later founded Healthy Communities, LLC in Washington, D.C., a consulting firm through which he advised policymakers including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and contributed to the White House Office of American Innovation. Mukhtar currently operates Tera Strategies from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, providing management consulting services to CEOs, investors, and business owners. He speaks English, Arabic, and Spanish.

I am an attorney, CPA, and software engineer helping entrepreneurs start, grow, manage, and exit their ventures. In addition to my law practice, I also teach Business Law to undergraduates at Florida Gulf Coast University. I have served in operations and finance with the world’s largest accounting firm, airline, and bank. I chose to pivot to pursue law as my next profession and am admitted to The Florida Bar and the State Bar of Texas. I completed my Juris Doctor on full tuition merit scholarship. While in law school, I served on the Law Review Editorial Board where my monograph—Transhumanism: Morality and Law at the Frontier of the Human Condition—was selected for publication. I passed the Florida Bar Examination in July 2022 and the Texas Bar Examination in February 2023. Following my J.D., I completed the Real Property Development LL.M. program at the University of Miami School of Law. I hold active CPA licensure in Florida and Texas and undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting and taxation, respectively, from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Before my career in law, I developed business intelligence and reporting on commercial banking clients in the Dallas and Chicago offices at JPMorgan across a variety of industry verticals—with a special emphasis on FIG and CRE clients. Previously, I supported capital investment decision-making and financial reporting for the commercial real estate, security, and legal divisions at American Airlines at their headquarters in Fort Worth. Prior to that, I founded Food on the Fly, a data mining and logistics startup leveraging mobile connectivity and transactional analytics to deliver premium meals in-terminal to transiting, time-constrained air travelers. My work on this venture continues. Before making the jump to the entrepreneurial realm, I began my career in the private equity and financial services tax compliance and consulting practice (“SALT-FS”) at PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Dallas office where I engineered solutions to more effectively serve VC/PE clients including Texas Pacific Group, Goldman Sachs, and others. I also hold the Certified Management Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Forensic Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certification in Risk Management Assurance, and Certified Fraud Examiner credentials. In my spare time, I explore the taxation and novel applications of virtual assets. I also serve as a mentor for university-age creators. I divide my time between sunny South Florida and Dallas, Texas.

A Biotechnology graduate with PhD coursework experience who transitioned into digital marketing and sales, applying strong research, analytical, and communication skills to the marketing domain. Experienced in collaborating with leading digital agencies to enhance brand visibility, execute outreach campaigns, and drive client acquisition. Specializes in digital PR, strategic brand positioning, and securing high-authority media placements to strengthen online presence and support business growth.

A Physicist, Data Scientist and a Renewable Energy Enthusiast with more than a decade of research experience in theoretical physics. Expert in statistical methods and mathematical modelling. My expertise includes inferring meaningful and comprehensive insights from data, strategising pathways for solving problems using logical analysis and communicating technical details to non-technical stakeholders. Co-Founded Giniw Tech and led the development of solar-forecast.com Mathematical skills: Bayesian Analysis, Correlation and Error estimation, Statistical Modeling, Basic of Stochastic Calculus, Solving PDE and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations.