Age: 34
Position: CEO & Co-Founder
Company: Imagine Biotech
Bio: Born in South Africa, Michael has crafted a career that epitomizes the essence of a renaissance man, marked by diverse accomplishments, amassing successful company exits and liquidity events. Armed with a Master's in Engineering and an MBA, Michael has seamlessly navigated through various roles, leaving an indelible mark in each venture he undertook.
Driven by his fervid pursuits, Michael assumed the role of Startup Grind Director in Los Angeles, showcasing his commitment to fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems. His journey continued at Quickmed Diagnostics, a High Complexity Laboratory organization, a core member of the founding team, he ascended to the position of Vice President of Operations, contributing significantly to the company's substantial growth and eventual success. His technical acumen and strategic vision played an integral role in shaping QMD's trajectory.
Presently, Michael is the CEO and Co-Founder of Imagine Biotech, a groundbreaking venture at the intersection of biotechnology and machine learning. Imagine Biotech collaborates with Biotech VCs, investors and startup founders, de-risking biotech investments by facilitating early assessment and actual probability of molecular compatibility, predicting a new technology or drug candidates’ efficacy. Leveraging AI and Machine Learning, Protein Folding Technology, and Bioinformatics to revolutionize drug therapeutic risk mitigation. Inspired by a personal health experience with a protein-based drug in 2020, Michael embarked on a mission to trim drug development costs, making advancements more accessible and affordable.
"At Imagine Biotech, our approach efficiently identifies a project's viability, reducing the risk of committing capital resources to unsuccessful endeavors, setting new industry standards by providing a new form of risk-mitigation for investors and founders looking to raise capital in the biotech space" Michael affirms. The company represents the culmination of a diverse team, including medical experts, biotechnology investors, financial executives, computational biologists, and healthcare entrepreneurs. This formidable team has a proven track record of supporting biotech startups and conducting meticulous due diligence initiatives.
In an era marked by remarkable advancements in machine learning and AI, Imagine Biotech seized the profound potential inherent in AI-driven Protein Folding Prediction. This innovative approach enables early detection of challenges in biotechnology, optimizing the allocation of investment capital and mitigating risks for industry investors.
Michael's commitment to minimizing risks extends beyond the biotech realm. His specialization in Technical Due Diligence at Imagine Biotech is a testament to his dedication to precision. The company employs industry experts to demonstrate, with great accuracy, the likelihood of success of proposed drugs, potentially saving millions and circumventing previously mandatory animal trials.
Beyond the boardroom, Michael's love and passion for sports manifest in his recent investments in Pickleball and co-ownership in Oaks Sports Holding INC. Together with LA Galaxy II, they have rebranded the team to VCFC (Ventura County FC). A newly proposed MLS Next Pro team based in California, where they will be running business operations. This investment is not just financial; it's a testament to Michael's dedication to shaping the vision of the sports industry, leading up to and beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA.
Today, Michael thrives on reshaping industries, leaving an indelible mark on the present and paving the way for a transformative future.
Website URL: www.imaginebiotech.ai
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