INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP SERIES:
MICROFLUIDICS AND BUSINESS
For startups and small companies, securing the right investment can be the key to survival and growth. But what exactly do investors look for before committing their time, money and support? In this interactive session, we’ll dive into the investor’s mindset – what drives their decisions, the key factors they evaluate, and the red flags that make them walk away.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Mark Gilligan
Founder, CEO – Blacksheep Power
Mark brings over two decades of experience in leading and scaling businesses within the life sciences and microfluidics industries. As the founder and former CEO of Blacktrace, a leader in microfluidic innovations, he has extensive experience in transforming groundbreaking ideas into successful ventures. Mark has also helped startups navigate the challenges of product development, fundraising, and market entry.
Alex Slack
Founnding Partner – Lauxera Capital Partners
Alex is a healthcare specialist investor. After starting his career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company in Boston, he joined Maverick Capital’s healthcare team. Alex focused on long/short public equity and venture capital/cross-over investments, ultimately as Managing Director. Alex then joined Jackson Square Partners where he focused on high-conviction healthcare public equities and led the firm’s ESG activities.
Austin Duke
Managing Director – BroadOak Capital Partners
Austin is a Managing Director at BroadOak where he primarily leads and supports the firm’s venture capital and early-stage investments. Previously, Austin led healthcare venture capital investments for UnityPoint Health Ventures. He has led investments and served on the board of directors for a diverse set of companies operating across healthcare sectors. Austin holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from North Carolina State University and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University where his research focused at the intersection of biomedical optics and neuroscience.
Jason Mellad
Managing Partner – Start Codon
Jason is a scientist entrepreneur passionate about translating innovative technologies into more effective therapies and better patient outcomes. Most recently he was Co-founder and CEO of Start Codon (SC), a pre-seed stage venture capital fund and venture builder that has led and invested in over 29 transformative healthcare and life science companies. He is passionate about supporting social justice and education initiatives, serving as a trustee for the Cambridge Science Centre, an independent STEM engagement charity, devoted to inspiring young people through hands-on experiential learning. Jason is also a co-founding donor for the Get In Cambridge diverse student initiative and a proud father of two boisterous young boys.
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION HERE:
Watch the whole series: