Where Dealmakers Come Together
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On this podcast episode, I speak with Judyanna Yu Simcock, Managing Partner at One Six 8 Ventures. Judyanna has been leading global deal-making for over 12 years, especially in Medical Devices and Technologies. One Six 8 Ventures’ team consists of experienced Clinicians and Operators, and the firm taps into the Canadian innovation ecosystem.
There are many groundbreaking companies in Canada. Investing into the right Canadian company can also mean a lower valuation as compared to companies in United States and Europe. This advantage can lead to more capital efficient execution.
On this episode, we dig into the genesis of One Six 8 Ventures, what types of Med Device companies they invest in, what market conditions the firm pays attention to, and what qualities they look for in the entrepreneur and companies that they invest in.
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On this podcast episode, I speak with Shlomi Raz, Managing Partner at Palomar Labs. As a Venture Builder, Palomar Labs builds companies around medicines that already have a record of use in people, focused on the aging brain.
Shlomi started his career in Finance on Wall Street, and then transitioned into Biotech, as Founder and CEO of Eleusis. Beckley Psytech acquired Eleusis, and Shlomi served as President and CEO during BPL-003's clinical development.
Within Psychiatry, Palomar has taken a unique approach to drug development, starting with human experience (rather than animal models) along with the large set of existing data sets to identify the right compounds. And this approach may lend itself to other indications within Neuropsychiatry.
In our conversation, we touch upon the evolution of Psychedelics and the promise of ‘Generation 3,’ how JnJ’s SPRAVATO eventually became a blockbuster drug, what the venture building process looks like at Palomar Labs, and why the firm is focusing on unmet needs within aging.
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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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