We're highlighting the next generation of innovative, women-led medtech startups at our Founders Showcase event. Meet the early-stage founders driving breakthroughs in medical devices, diagnostics, and therapeutics, who are poised to transform healthcare. Get a firsthand look at what it’s really like to pitch a startup to a group of investors. Our panel of judges will share feedback with each startup, offering critiques of their pitches and constructive insights. Join us to engage with pioneering companies, support women founders in life sciences, and explore the next wave of transformative innovation.

Note: Each ticket includes light bites and non-alcoholic beverages.

Program

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Check in & Networking
6:00 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.  Welcome Remarks & Intros
6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.  Founder Showcase
7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Networking & Prize Announcement
 

Judges Panel

Alexandra de Paz, Senior Associate at Genoa Ventures

Alexandra is a Senior Associate at Genoa Ventures, where she leverages her synthetic biology background and experience in technology transfer supporting university startups. Prior to joining Genoa, Alexandra was a Research Associate with the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC), where she supported the translation and commercialization of innovative academic projects across the Chicago ecosystem into biomedical products and startups. While at the CBC, Alexandra also interned as a Venture Fellow with Action Potential Venture Capital, GSK’s venture capital fund focused on bioelectronic medicines. Prior to the CBC, Alexandra was the Associate Director of New Ventures at the Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO) at Northwestern University. In this role, Alexandra broadly supported faculty-led startups and commercialization of university research and led various commercialization education and entrepreneurial training programs. Alexandra managed a $10M university gap fund, the N.XT fund, which provides pre-seed funding to promising early-stage, research-based startups at Northwestern. Alexandra also spearheaded and led FoundHer, an initiative aimed at amplifying, supporting, and cultivating first-time women scientist entrepreneurs. Alexandra completed her synthetic biology-focused PhD as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow in Keith Tyo’s lab at Northwestern as part of the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences (IBiS) graduate program. Alexandra also received a certificate from Kellogg’s Management for Scientists and Engineers program. Prior to joining Northwestern, Alexandra obtained a BS in interdisciplinary biomolecular engineering from the University of Florida.

Troy Kanji, Analyst at Boost VC

Troy is on the investment team at Boost VC, a $400M AUM firm founded by Adam Draper and Brayton Williams that has been investing in founders of pre-seed frontier tech startups since 2012. Troy’s background is primarily in biotech as a researcher, strategist, and investor, but his focus at Boost extends to other emerging categories such as energy, robotics, and aerospace. He’s especially interested in opportunities “at the edge of the map” in spaces such as cellular reprogramming, network communities, and geo-engineering. Outside of work, Troy loves to be active, explore new places, and spend quality time with his family and friends.

Ekaterine Kortkhonjia, Senior Director of Transactions at Johnson and Johnson

Eka is responsible for identification, diligence, and strategic transactions for oncology and cross-TA data science opportunities from discovery to early clinical proof of concept. As part of this role, Eka also supports the J&J venture fund and the JLABS incubator network. Eka joined Johnson and Johnson from Genentech/Roche, where she spent over 13 years in various roles, including Pharma Partnering, Biomarker Development, and Investor Relations.  Eka holds a PhD in chemistry and chemical biology and an MS in biophysics.

Leah Makley, Chief Operating Officer at MBC BioLabs

Leah is COO at MBC BioLabs, the largest life science incubator in the Bay Area, where she helps support over 200 early-stage biotech companies and advises the affiliated venture fund, Mission BioCapital. She brings over a decade of experience leading biotech startups, including CEO roles at Ocutheia and ViewPoint Therapeutics, both focused on developing therapies to preserve and restore vision in patients with ophthalmic disease. Her background is in medicinal chemistry, with technical expertise in protein misfolding diseases and targeted protein stabilization. Leah is passionate about building ecosystems and communities that enable startups to launch, grow, and advance technologies that meaningfully improve health outcomes.

Rhiya Pau, Healthcare Investor at the Laerdal Million Lives Fund

Rhiya is a Principal at the Million Lives Fund, where she focuses on investing in cardiovascular and neurovascular devices. She is a Board Member at Corflow Therapeutics. She previously worked at the UK's Development Finance Institution, investing in healthcare companies across Africa and South Asia. 
 

Pricing Information

• Members: $35
• Student Members: $20
• Non-members*: $65
• Non-member Student: $40

*Interested in joining Women In Bio? Click here to learn more about WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, and more. 

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

Maximum Capacity

250

Parking Information

Free parking is available at the venue (details will be in the registration confirmation email).

Public Transit Information

South San Francisco BART and Caltrain stations are a 10-minute drive from the venue.

Sponsors