Join us to Turn it Up to 11 at the 11th annual WIB-Chicago Start-Up Challenge! This high-energy pitch competition celebrates the bold ideas and innovative spirit of women entrepreneurs in the life sciences. Finalists will take the stage to showcase their ventures to a panel of expert judges and an audience of industry leaders, investors, and supporters. Don’t miss this night of inspiration, connection, and celebration of women driving the future of biotech and medtech!

Note: Each ticket includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Program

6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Networking
6:30 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.  Introductions
6:50 p.m. – 7:20 p.m.  Pitches (5x)
7:20 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Judging
7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.  Presentation of Winners
7:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Networking

Pitch Judges

Melissa Byrn, Assistant Dean for Clinical Research at the University of Chicago

Melissa is a strategic leader with over 15 years of experience advancing biomedical product development, commercialization, and innovation across industry, academia, and startups. She brings deep expertise in business strategy, health tech, clinical trials, hospital operations, and research commercialization, driving growth and transformation for organizations in highly regulated environments. Melissa currently serves as Assistant Dean for Clinical Research at the University of Chicago, where she sets strategic direction and oversees the clinical trial enterprise for UChicago Medicine. She is the faculty lead for UChicago’s Master of Biomedical Science biomedical innovation concentration and an adjunct faculty member at both UChicago and the University of Pennsylvania. Melissa has mentored more than 100 life science and medtech startups, advising on go-to-market strategy, fundraising, and risk management. She is a board member at OrisDX, serves on the leadership committee of Executive Women In Bio Chicago 3.8 Program, and is a reviewer for the National Science Foundation. Melissa is passionate about supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and advancing the next generation of medical technology leaders.

Meesha Dogan, CEO of Cardio Diagnostics

Meesha is the CEO, Co-Founder, and Director of Cardio Diagnostics, where she has led the company from breakthrough innovation to national commercialization and public listing. A pioneer at the intersection of epigenetics, artificial intelligence, and cardiovascular medicine, she co-invented the company’s core technology and has led its evolution from concept to clinical impact. Under her leadership, Cardio Diagnostics has secured strategic partnerships, multiple funding rounds, and recognition, including Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech and the Biotech Breakthrough Awards. Dr. Dogan, who holds a PhD in biomedical engineering, was recently named to the Cardiovascular Business’s 40 Under 40, and is driven by both innovation and a personal mission to change the trajectory of heart disease.

Heather Kissling, Partner at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun

Heather is a partner at Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP, where she also currently serves as prosecution manager.  She draws from over two decades of experience securing biotechnology patents to develop worldwide filing and prosecution strategies for life sciences clients.  Heather counsels companies at all stages of the life sciences business lifecycle, as well as investors, on IP strategy and diligence matters.  She actively collaborates with executives, business development personnel, scientists, and in-house counsel to maximize protection of biotechnology innovations in a broad range of technologies. Clients find her to be a forward-thinking advocate who shares their commitment to realizing the maximum value from their intellectual property assets.
 

Amy Len Kobe, General Partner with InVivium Capital

Amy was previously a Principal with Baird Capital, where she led investments on the Healthcare team. Amy is currently a Board Observer for Virtual Incision and Onchilles Pharma. She previously served on the board of directors of Cala Health, Saranas, and Virtual Incision and was an observer for Jumpcode, Upfront Healthcare, OncoHealth, and AiCure. Prior to Baird Capital, Amy was a venture investor with Baxter Healthcare, focused on medical devices, monitoring, and data analytics opportunities. She was also previously with Healthbox, focused on tech-enabled products and services. Amy began her career with roles at McKinsey & Company and Genentech. Amy received a BS and MS in chemical engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, where she serves on the Young Leaders Committee.
 

Christine Rohan, CEO of Vasowatch

Christine is the founding CEO of Vasowatch Inc., a maternal health technology company commercializing a postpartum hemorrhage biomarker. Previously, she held executive leadership roles at GE, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, and venture-financed health startups. During her 25-year GE career, she led global strategy, business development, and growth initiatives for billion-dollar businesses. More recently, she served as Managing Director of Innovation at BCBSA. Over the past 15 years, she has advised many early-stage startups as an advisory board member and mentor. Christine is a proud WIB-Chicago 3.8 graduate.

Anna Lisa Somera, CEO of Rhaeos

Anna Lisa made history as the first female winner of MedTech Innovator, the world’s largest MedTech competition, triumphing over 1,000+ companies worldwide! Ms. Somera brings over 20 years of experience working with startups across various fields, including biomedical research, venture capital, technology transfer, operations, regulatory affairs, quality management systems, and grant consulting. She has successfully led teams through clinical trial launches, FDA approvals, quality certifications, and financing, securing over $70M for startups to date. She is the CEO of Rhaeos, Inc., where she started as employee #1 and expanded the team to 20 people. Rhaeos is a VC-backed, clinical-stage medical device company developing wearable flow monitoring devices, with technology stemming from the John Rogers Lab at Northwestern University. Their groundbreaking device, FlowSense, is a non-invasive tool that detects cerebrospinal fluid in shunted hydrocephalus patients. So far, FlowSense has been used on 300+ patients and was the focus of a nine-center pivotal study from UCSF to Duke. Ms. Somera has served as a mentor at Chain Reaction Innovations at Argonne National Labs, The Polsky Exchange at the University of Chicago, MATTER Chicago, mHUB, INVO at Northwestern University, and the FAST Center (UIUC). She also serves as a Principal Investigator on NIH and NSF-funded small business grants, where she earned a perfect score on a Phase IIB application. Additionally, she is an advisor to Women In Bio Chicago.

Pricing Information

• Members: $15
• Non-Members*: $30

*Not a Member? Click here to learn about the benefits of a WIB Membership — access to our video library, mentorship groups, and more. 

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

200

Parking Information

Street parking is available, and limited spots in the parking lot.

Public Transit Information

Ashland Green and Pink line - Ashland #9 bus

Sponsors