Where Dealmakers Come Together
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On International Episode 2 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Markus Schreyer, Managing Partner at The Ganesha Lab. More than 50% of the world’s biodiversity comes from Latin America, and The Ganesha Lab taps into that scientific potential. As an ‘accelerator-fund,’ The Ganesha Lab works closely with scientific founders to advance their early-stage opportunity into fundable science.
Markus used his corporate background to launch The Ganesha Lab nearly a decade ago. In most cases, they are the first check (pre-seed) into companies originating from Latin America. Generally, this first-check VC fund focuses on four major categories: Aging Population, Healthcare Access, Climate, and Food Scarcity, especially coming from countries of Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia.
In our conversation, we touch upon the role Artificial Intelligence plays in the industry, how resilience can be a key characteristic amongst Entrepreneurs, the awakening of Biotech exits in 2026, and other topics.
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On International Episode 1 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Luka Nicin, Investor at Pace Ventures. This Berlin based, globally focused VC firm closed a Fund I to be completely deployed by Q3 of this year.
The firm invests in Pre-Seed and Seed stage companies throughout Health x Bio and Industrial Tech verticals. Luka uses his scientific and business background (Master’s in Molecular Medicine, PhD in Cardiovascular Regeneration, MBA followed by Biopharma Strategy Consulting) to lead a lot of Pace’s Health x Bio deals. Later this year, Pace Ventures will start fundraising for its Fund II.
On Episode 13 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Kenny Morand, Life Sciences Partner at CincyTech USA. Based in Ohio, the firm is focused on investments in the Ohio Region, and often acts as lead Seed investors in Drugs, Devices, and Diagnostics. CincyTech primarily focuses on Cell & Gene Therapy.
In this episode, Kenny dives into his preference for Platform companies and technologies within CG&T, how the state of Ohio is set up for success to deliver breakthrough Cell & Gene Therapy innovations, and what they look for in companies before making an investment.
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On Episode 12 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Nola Masterson, Partner at Portfolia, a collective of Women that are learning Venture Capital by investing in Women’s Health companies.
Nola uses her decades of Venture Capital experience (Kleiner Perkins, Oak Investment Partners, TVM Capital) to guide the Fund’s investments. The two Funds that are open now are 1) Rising America, geared towards underserved populations (Fund III) and 2) Women’s Health & Longevity, focused on things that impact women differently throughout their health span (Fund IV).
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On Episode 11 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Varun Turlapati, Managing Director at Chaanakya Capital. The firm is focused on investing in Neurotech and likes to work with Founders that are passionate about this space.
Some of the Founder qualities that he looks for include resilience, and ability to work well together.
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On Episode 10 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Gary Goldman of Global Health Impact Network & Funds. Gary is a Dentist and Anesthesiologist by training, and has also been an operator and investor in Healthcare for over 35 years.
With decades of industry experience under his belt, he built Global Health Impact Network & Funds. GHIN/F is both a Fund and a Network Platform in which Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) weigh in on certain companies.
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On Episode 9 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Monica Berrondo, Managing Partner at Dare Bioventures. The firm invests in early-stage drug discovery projects that are born out of discovery platforms, with the goal of taking specific drug discovery projects through to exit (to Pharma).
Monica is excited about new ways to deliver molecules to the right place, such as ADCs, Bispecific Therapies, LNPs, and Fusion Proteins to name a few.
Check out the full episode to learn more about Dare Bioventures!
On Innovation Episode 2 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Woodie Neiss, Managing General Partner at D3VC, a machine learning/AI data-driven venture fund built on top of the investment crowdfunding industry. D3VC is sector agnostic, but they’ve made more investments in Healthcare and Life Sciences companies than any other sector.
On Episode 8 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Mahesh Narayanan, Managing Partner at Neuvation Ventures. The firm focuses on Medical Devices and Diagnostics within the Neuro space (Central Nervous System). What fuels the firm is Mahesh’s passion for this area.
Within Diagnostics, Neuvation would like to work with companies that can move diagnosis to earlier phases of the condition. Neuvation is excited about the use of Machine Learning implementation within robotics and diagnostics, along with precision therapies such as Nano-mods, including nanorobots, nanoparticles, and nano-scaffolds.
On Episode 7 of the Aayaam 360 Podcast, I speak with Ray Jordan, Investment Manager for Elmstead Partners, a multi-generational family holding company. Ray’s background includes overseeing Corporate Affairs and Corporate Communications for large and smaller Life Sciences companies.
Some of the dimensions that Ray’s firm thinks about when considering an investment include 1) can the innovation be a potential breakthrough, 2) is the breakthrough focused on a first of its kind definitive application target, 3) is there strong IP in place, and 4) is the right team in place to be able to execute?