UC-Berkeley Deep Tech Innovation Lab

When Venture Capital Meets Deep Tech Innovation: Invaluable Insights from Samir Malhotra ? We were very fortunate to have Samir Malhotra from Civilization Ventures participate as a guest speaker in our Deep Tech Innovation & Entrepreneurship class this past Monday night. ? A Serendipitous Connection What made Samir's visit particularly meaningful was the story behind our connection. Last summer, we learned that Jiawei Lee—an exceptional student from the Deep Tech Innovation Lab and graduate from the Master of Translational Medicine - UCB & UCSF (a University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Francisco partnership)—had co-founded QUiCKR Bio with Charles Blanluet and secured seed funding within just three months of graduation. One of the key investors? None other than Samir Malhotra from Civilization Ventures. 9 Years, 2 Exits, and a Remarkable Journey Samir's career trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary: ?? Biology degree from Stanford University ?? Strategy consultant at IQVIA ?? Business operations transformation at Jazz Pharmaceuticals ?? Founded Rewrite Therapeutics (acquired by Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.) ?? Founded Replace Therapeutics (acquired by TOMA Biosciences) ?? Now Partner at Civilization Ventures ? All this accomplished in just 9 years! ? The Power of T-Shaped Expertise Throughout his presentation, Samir demonstrated exceptional insight at the strategic crossroads of business, technology, and IP/regulatory landscapes. His ability to navigate these complex domains exemplifies precisely the T-shaped expertise we aim to cultivate at the UC-Berkeley Deep Tech Innovation Lab. ? A Living Case Study for Graduate Students ? For our UC Berkeley graduate students, Samir's visit provided a compelling real-world example of how: - Building a broad knowledge base across technology, business, and IP - Taking a diverse career path from consulting to corporate pharma to startups - Maintaining curiosity and following authentic interests - Working with respected colleagues ? Can lead to a fulfilling career with tremendous impact. ? We're incredibly grateful to Samir who generously shared his time and wisdom with the next generation of innovators. Samir’s mentorship creates a powerful ripple effect that will shape the future of deep tech entrepreneurship. ? #DeepTech #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #Innovation #UCBerkeley #Biotech #CareerJourney

A huge shoutout to our student teams for delivering insightful, well-structured, and thought-provoking presentations at Interim Presentation Night! Each team took on the challenge of breaking down their ventures beyond the pitch, tackling key questions like: - They articulated the core technology and how it translates to a product. - They evaluated go-to-market strategies and questioned key assumptions. - They mapped the competitive landscape and assessed market entry barriers. - They identified critical uncertainties that still need validation. Their ability to engage with industry experts, adapt based on feedback, and apply strategic thinking made for an insightful session. ?? Well done to all the teams—you took on this challenge with depth, clarity, and strong execution! #TechCommercialization #DeepTechStartups #StrategicThinking #StudentExcellence

Some of the most valuable insights don’t come as answers—they come as the right questions. At our UC-Berkeley Deep Tech Innovation Lab Class's Interim Presentation Night, our expert panelists did what great advisors do best: push teams to think deeper, explore alternatives, and refine their execution strategies. ?? Key themes that sparked new thinking: ?? "What’s your real differentiator—and is it defensible?" ?? "Are you solving for a market pain or a technology opportunity?" ?? "Who holds the purchasing power in this industry?" ?? "What’s the smartest way to test your riskiest assumption—before you build too much?" And, of course, the most critical: ?? "Who do you need to talk to next?" A huge thank you to Alejandra Vergara, William Dean Donovan, Jenny Yang, Jon Metzler, Joshua James, Marcus Lehmann, Marian Barber, Merrit S., Nirav Bisarya, Ray Lee, Ryan Anderson, Sheila Leunig, Sree Kasturi, Steve Krawczyk, Vlad Gusev, Wayne Stacy, Will Decker, Yu Higashisawa, Lucian Orbai, Madeline Elkins and Sasha Gusev for helping students stress-test their assumptions and navigate their next steps. A warm introduction, a reframed question, or a challenge to a core assumption —these are the moments that shape real-world innovation. #DeepTech #MarketStrategy #CriticalThinking #TechInsights

Startups are often built on bold ideas. But bold ideas alone don’t survive first contact with the market—rigorous analysis does. At our Interim Presentation Night, 14 student teams took on a different challenge. Instead of pitching polished decks, they deconstructed their assumptions, mapped out commercialization risks, and pressure-tested their strategies before an expert panel. What made this night different? Rather than selling a vision, teams tackled the hardest questions standing between their technology and real-world adoption: - Is their core market assumption valid, or just wishful thinking? - What competitive moats truly hold up under scrutiny? - Which regulatory hurdles could derail commercialization—and how do they navigate them? - What critical uncertainties remain, and how will they be resolved? With 8-minute expert Q&A sessions, no assumption went unchallenged. Our panelists didn’t just provide feedback—they stress-tested strategies, offered hard-earned insights from their industries, and opened doors to key stakeholders who could shape the path forward. Key Takeaways from the Night: - The real challenge isn’t just building tech—it’s commercializing it effectively. - Startups need to prove, not assume, their market positioning. - Industry connections and expert insights can shortcut years of trial and error. The future of deep tech isn’t built on hype—it’s built on ruthless validation. University of California, Berkeley - School of Law UC Berkeley College of Engineering UC Berkeley Coleman Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business #DeepTech #MarketValidation #StartupReality #CriticalThinking #TechCommercialization

We had the privilege of hosting two distinguished guests in our class this past Monday night: Professor Lee Fleming (Founding Faculty Director of the UC Berkeley Coleman Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership) and Jacob Aptekar (Vice President of Data Science and AI at Medidata Solutions). ? Together, they presented a compelling case study they co-authored during their time at Harvard, examining the commercialization journey of a groundbreaking MRI technology (https://lnkd.in/dtzgqDyn). This innovation featured both a revolutionary MRI prototype optimized for noble gas imaging of pulmonary dynamics using a relatively weak magnet, compared to traditional MRI, and proprietary silicon-based hyperpolarized nanoparticles whose unprecedented in-vivo longevity enables critical extended tracking of biological processes, drug delivery pathways, and disease progression in real-time. These technologies could function independently or as an integrated solution for magnetic resonance brain imaging, potentially providing clinicians with sustained visualization capabilities previously impossible with conventional contrast agents that rapidly degrade in living tissue. ? Professor Fleming masterfully guided students through the complex decision-making process, exploring: - Regulatory pathways and compliance challenges - Intellectual property protection strategies - Technology development considerations - Strategic options: licensing to established players vs. launching separate or bundled startups ? The session illuminated the critical intersection of business strategy, technological innovation, and legal/regulatory frameworks in bringing deep tech innovations to market. Students from business, technology, and law backgrounds actively engaged, discovering unexpected connections across these disciplines. ? Jacob, who was directly involved in the commercialization decisions, shared invaluable insights about the real-world challenges encountered throughout analysis and implementation. The technology out of the ultimately made it to market through Hyperfine | AI-Powered Portable MRI (NASDAQ: HYPR), which developed an FDA-approved mobile MR brain imaging solution now benefiting patients worldwide. ? This session exemplified the caliber of practical, cross-disciplinary learning experiences we strive to provide. Immense gratitude to Professor Fleming and Jacob for sharing their expertise and inspiring our next generation of innovation leaders ?? ? #MRIBreakthrough #Innovation #BusinessStrategy #DeepTech #Entrepreneurship

???Empowering Innovators: A Global Stage Awaits We were honored to host Yasi Huo from the Singapore Management University -SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at our Deep Tech Innovation & Entrepreneurship class this week. She shared an exciting opportunity with us: ?? The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (12th Edition) This prestigious competition is now open for applications! The competition is?selecting 50 deep tech startups?for an?all-expenses-paid trip?to Singapore from?29 September to 2 October 2025. This is your chance to connect with global leaders, investors, and innovators in a dynamic ecosystem. Why Participate? - Showcase your groundbreaking innovations on a global stage - Network with top VCs, corporates, and government agencies - Gain exposure and mentorship to fuel your startup's growth Check out more at ->https://lnkd.in/gkNWCRpC A huge thank you to Yasi Huo and SMU for bridging our community with global opportunities. Let's make this happen! #DeepTech #GlobalInnovation #StartupOpportunities #SMU

Mirno | Redefining Medical Training with AI-Powered Virtual Patients Problem Solved: Medical education lacks realistic practice without live patients, limiting hands-on skill development. Innovation: - Maia AI Assistant: Generate custom scenarios with precise symptoms/vitals - Gaming-Engine Realism: Lifelike patient interactions in risk-free environments - Mobile-First Training: Accessible simulation on any device Key Industries: ?? Medical Schools ???? Nursing Programs ?? Emergency Response Training Validation: ? Backed by leading Swedish pediatricians ? Built by gaming/healthtech veterans (EA/DICE + clinical experts) Join the Revolution Experience next-gen clinical training → https://mirno.is/ David Gundry Aryan Singhania Lam-Toro Lam Jamal Adan Bikramjeet Singh Megan Weatherston #MedEdInnovation #HealthTech #AI #MedicalTraining #GamingForGood

Nanodentica | Redefining Biomimetic Dentistry Problem Solved: Traditional dental materials fail to match natural teeth’s aesthetics and often harbor harmful bacteria. Innovation: Swedish-engineered nanoparticles deliver: ?? 95% bacterial growth reduction ?? Natural tooth-like optical properties ?? Protective crystalline barrier ?? 40% lower energy production Key Applications: - Customized dental implants - Preventative cavity coatings - Sustainable prosthetics Explore how we’re merging nature’s design with cutting-edge tech → https://lnkd.in/deZvCFTk Lukas Crisp Ketan Nehete Aditi Jhanwar Shreya Mazumdar Parth Patil Ruocheng Shi #DentalInnovation #BiomimeticTech #SustainableDentistry #Nanotech?

Revilico | Redefining Drug Discovery Problem Solved: Traditional drug discovery faces siloed workflows between computational models and experimental validation, slowing progress and increasing costs. Innovation: Integrated platform combining: ?? AI/physics-driven modeling for precise predictions ?? Wet lab marketplace for seamless experimental testing ?? End-to-end solution from theory to validated results Key Impact: - Accelerates discovery timelines by 50%+ - Reduces R&D costs through optimized resource allocation - Bridges the gap between computational and experimental teams Explore the Tech Revolutionize your discovery pipeline →https://revilico.bio/ Christopher Korban Asiyah Awais Aziz Kamoun Gracie Teed Lizbeth Chendo Sanggeol Kim #DrugDiscovery #AI #PharmaInnovation #DeepTech

KuriBio | Redefining Cancer Care Through Precision Nanotechnology Problem Solved: Current chemotherapies often: Arrive too late for optimal impact Extend life by mere months Cause severe side effects from non-targeted treatment. Innovation: Rationally designed nanoparticles deliver: ?? Early tumor detection via precise targeting ?? Localized drug delivery to spare healthy cells ?? Enhanced efficacy through tumor microenvironment focus Impact: - Reduces chemotherapy side effects by targeting cancer cells directly - Extends therapeutic window for earlier intervention - Improves quality of life during treatment Judee Sharon, Ph.D. Jimmy Mawdsley Shreeyash Mittal Mikin Patel Sangeeta Koilada Shereen Aissi #CancerCare #Nanotech #PrecisionMedicine #HealthInnovation