Cocktails & Conversations - HealthTech

104 Southwest A Street,Bentonville AR 72712

09 February, 2023

Description

Cocktails and Conversation is a monthly event hosted by Venture Noire. Come hear from a panel of BIPOC professionals in a different industry each month talk about their professional experiences, the state of the industry in NWA, and how new entrepreneurs can break in and be successful in this space. The first event of the year is going to focus on the HealthTech industry! Here are our panelists: Dr. Ranu Jung, Founding Executive Director and Endowed Chair, Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research at the University of ArkansasDr. Ranu Jung is the founding executive director and endowed Chair for the U of A’s Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, Associate Vice Chancellor, and Distinguished Professor of biomedical engineering. Dr. Jung is one of the world’s foremost researchers in biomedical and neural engineering, has led multiple transdisciplinary research teams and grants, has more than 100 refereed publications, and 14 U.S. patents. A champion for innovation and entrepreneurship, she develops devices that lead to scientific advances with clear pathways to clinical application. Chidozie Ugwumba, Managing Partner at SymBiosis Capital ManagementChidozie Ugwumba serves as Managing Partner of SymBiosis, a venture capital firm focused on investments in biotherapeutics. At SymBiosis, Mr. Ugwumba leads sourcing, due diligence, and execution of investments, and serves as an advisor to SymBiosis’ portfolio companies. He has led numerous investments in therapeutics companies in the US and Europe, across disease areas including CNS, cardiac, dermatology, GI, infectious disease, and oncology, and across modalities such as precision medicine, and cell, gene, and regenerative therapy. Prior to SymBiosis, Mr. Ugwumba led the Direct and Impact Investment Group of WIT, LLC and worked on the Private Credit and Infrastructure teams at Partners Group, a global private investment manager. Mr. Ugwumba earned an MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, and a BA in Political Science from Amherst College. Nhiem Cao, Chief Operating Officer at Lapovations, LLCNhiem Cao, Lapovations COO, has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, process engineering, and consulting. He was born in Vietnam and grew up in Fort Smith, Arkansas.Nhiem completed his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas and went on to work in the paper industry. During his time in the paper industry, he evaluated and implemented new technology, designed innovative solutions, developed and led production trials for paper machines, and developed standard operating procedures and metrics to evaluate various processes.After 8 years of working in industry, he returned to Arkansas to attain a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business. His focus during this degree program was entrepreneurship. This led to pursuits in start-ups and small businesses.To date, Nhiem has raised over $2.8M in venture funding for previous ventures. In addition to venture funding, he has been awarded over $2 million in grants through the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research program. The first drink is on us and there will be a cash bar to follow. Appetizers will also be provided. Thank you to the Walton Family Foundation for being our sponsor.