Pitch Contest

Medtech MVP 2024 Pitch Contest Finalists

Mark Strong, Heart Failure Solutions – President and CEO has developed a novel, minimally invasive solution that intends to improve and prolong the life of patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Anna Argo, Ponte Biosciences - Co-Founder and Business Development Executive - Ponte Biosciences, a preclinical biotherapeutic company focused on developing a cell-based bioartificial liver system to treat acute forms of liver failure.

Dimitrios Angelis, Sparta Bio - Co-founder and President: Developing a breakthrough device that mimics native cartilage, dramatically reducing pain and restoring mobility for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Facilitator

Amy Langer, Avio MedTech Consulting – Chair of the Board of Directors. Amy Langer is an independent Board member, successful entrepreneur and industry thought leader. She started her career as an auditor with KPMG, and then went to Robert Half International where she excelled quickly and learned the value of doing work that she loved. In 2002, with a business partner, she co-founded Salo with a premise of valuing the relationship over the transaction. The company grew to just shy of 1,000 employees before it was sold to Korn Ferry in February 2023. Amy and Salo have received many awards including the EY Entrepreneur of the year in 2007, The Fastest Growing Women Led Company in North America by Women’s Presidents Organization and induction in the Hall of Fame by the National Association of Women Business Owners, but the awards she most cherishes are those for being a “Top Workplace” and “Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” which Salo was recognized time and time again.

Amy has also served in a leadership capacity in many organizations including: HealthPartner Board Chair, GreaterMSP, Washburn Center for Children, the Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business, Committee of 200 and Women’s Presidents Organization.

Judges

Amrinder Singh, Partner - Vensana Capital
Amrinder Singh is a Partner at Vensana Capital and joined the firm in 2021. Amrinder has nearly two decades of medtech operating and investing experience, ranging from engineering, corporate strategy, and venture capital investing.

Prior to Vensana Capital, Amrinder was a Senior Investment Director at Medtronic Ventures where he supported new investments in the medtech and digital health spaces, providing operational and board management support to portfolio companies.

Prior to his investment career, Amrinder led Business Development & Strategy for Medtronic’s care management services, helping to shape the vision for Medtronic's value-based healthcare strategy. Amrinder started his career at Medtronic within the Corporate Strategy group. Before joining Medtronic, Amrinder held product management and engineering positions at Thoratec Corporation. Amrinder graduated from University of California, Davis in Biosystems Engineering and earned his MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.

Steve Daley, Sr Dir of Strategy & Bus Dev - Baxter's Healthcare Systems and Technology (HST)
Steve Daley is the Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development for Baxter’s Healthcare Systems and Technologies (HST) segment and is responsible for HST’s inorganic activity including M&A and Venture Capital. HST includes the former Hillrom portfolio. Steve has been with Baxter for 10 years in roles of increasing responsibility starting in Welch Allyn in 2014. Prior to Baxter, Steve had roles in General Management, Private Equity and Investment Banking. Steve has a BA from Dartmouth College and a MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Morgan Evans, Founder & Owner – Avio MedTech Consulting
Morgan is a serial med tech entrepreneur and investor, which means her passion is launching new businesses. She is a biomechanical engineer by training, went to business school, and worked in Corporate Development at Medtronic before jumping fully into the world of start-ups. Over the past ten years, she has founded or co-founded six companies — two medical device companies, two med tech accelerators, and two venture investing vehicles. Avio MedTech Consulting is one of those companies.