Fostering innovation and sustainability in a tech-driven world
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, an aspiring startup founder, or simply curious about the world of innovation, we welcome you to engage with experts across all facets of entrepreneurship, from ideation to scaling, funding, and beyond. This summit is designed to bring together WashU alumni, students, parents, and community members who are passionate about entrepreneurship.
Schedule: June 14, 2025
12:30-1 p.m. | Registration open | Outside of Grand Ballroom
1-1:15 p.m. | Welcome | Grand Ballroom
• II Luscri, assistant vice provost for innovation & entrepreneurship and managing director of the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship
1:15-1:40 p.m. | Featured speaker | Grand Ballroom
“Finding the Why: Thoughts and Lessons Learned from the Founder Journey” | Rajesh Bhat, BS ’98
Serena Chen, MSSCM ’17 | Navigating the Day
1:45-2:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions | Grand Ballroom & Cardinal Room
• “Navigating the Startup Landscape: Funding, Structure, and Essential Strategies” | Grand Ballroom
• “Real-World AI and Tech Shaping Our Future” | Cardinal Room
2:30-3 p.m. | Networking Snack Break | Outside of Grand Ballroom
3-3:45 p.m. | Featured Session | Grand Ballroom
“Innovating Health: Transforming Care Through Technology and Equity”
4-4:30 p.m. IdeaBounce® |
Grand Ballroom
4:30-6 p.m. | Networking | Outdoor Patio
Sessions and guest speakers
II Luscri
Assistant Vice Provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Managing Director, Skandalaris Center
II (pronounced “two”) Luscri is Washington University’s assistant vice provost for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the managing director of the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In these roles, he cultivates a creative and startup-oriented culture across all eight academic schools at WashU and leads the nationally-recognized new venture. The center supports all WashU students, faculty, and alumni and fosters and empowers an inclusive community that finds opportunities in problems and transforms ideas into action.
Luscri is a professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship and has taught courses on innovation and entrepreneurship in five academic schools at two different institutions, including “The Endgame of Entrepreneurship: Leveraging Capitalism for Good” which was recognized as an innovative pedagogical model by the University Industry Innovation Network.
Prior to WashU, Luscri launched and built the university-wide Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Institute at Villanova University and served as the institution’s assistant vice provost for Centers and Institutes.
INNOVATORS & ENTREPRENEURS NETWORK CO-HOST
“Finding the Why: Thoughts and Lessons Learned from the Founder Journey,” Rajesh Bhat, BS ’98
Rajesh Bhat, BS ’98, is a leading figure in the entrepreneurial world, known for his ability to transform industries through technology and innovation. As the co-founder of Roostify, a digital mortgage platform, Rajesh revolutionized the home-lending industry, streamlining processes, and empowering consumers. Today, he serves as a board director, investor, and advisor to several private technology companies. His experience in both founding and scaling high-growth startups, combined with his extensive background in management, provides a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. In this keynote address, Bhat will share insights and reflections on his startup experience, from concept to exit. His journey exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that is central to WashU’s With You campaign, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs to embrace change and lead with purpose.
Learning outcomes
- Gain insights into how to leverage technology and innovation to solve problems and create scalable business solutions.
- Understand key strategies for navigating challenges in the entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage development to scaling a business.
Presenters and speakers
Rajesh Bhat, BS ’98
Entrepreneur and technologist
“Navigating the Startup Landscape: Funding, Structure, and Essential Strategies”
The Bay Area continues to be a hotbed for technological innovation and startup activity. This session, moderated by Mike Kaplan, BSBA ’88, founder and managing director of Altos Health Management and partner at NewSpring Capital, brings together a panel of seasoned professionals to discuss the critical aspects of launching and scaling a startup. Panelists include Ghia Griarte, managing partner at Ponte Partners; Vasanth Mohanraj, BS ’02, founder of OASUS and CEO of SIPmask; and John Lim, BSBA ’14, partner & CSO at Pegasus Tech Ventures and executive at Startup World Cup. Together, they will share insights on securing funding, structuring your startup, and implementing strategies that align with current trends.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the current funding landscape and what investors are looking for in tech startups.
- Learn effective strategies for structuring your startup for scalability and success.
- Develop practical approaches to navigate challenges in the startup ecosystem.
Presenters and speakers
Mike Kaplan, BSBA ’88 (moderator)
Founder and managing director of Altos Health Management and partner at NewSpring Capital
Ghia Griarte
Managing partner at Ponte Partners
John Lim, BSBA ’14
Partner and CSO at Pegasus Tech Ventures
Vasanth Mohanraj,
BS ’02
Founder of OASUS and CEO of SIPmask
“Real-World AI and Tech Shaping Our Future”
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries, but its true potential lies in its ability to make life easier for everyone. This session, moderated by Will McKinley, AB ’91, senior staff software engineer at GRAIL, Inc., brings together WashU alumni who are at the forefront of AI innovation. Panelists include Ahana Gangopadhyay, MS ’17, PhD ’21, staff AI scientist at GE HealthCare; Sam Fok, BS’ 11, BS’11, founder & CEO of Femtosense; and Yuriy Yuzifovich, MBA ’00, chief technology officer at GlobalLogic. Together, they will explore how AI can be harnessed to create equitable solutions across health care, consumer technology, and enterprise systems. This conversation will delve into the challenges and opportunities of building AI that benefits all communities.
Learning outcomes
- Gain insights into the practical applications of AI in real-world scenarios from leading industry experts.
- Learn about the ethical considerations and challenges in developing inclusive AI solutions.
- Explore strategies for fostering collaboration between academia and industry to advance AI innovation.
Presenters and speakers
Will McKinley, AB ’91
(moderator)
Senior staff software engineer at GRAIL, Inc.
Ahana Gangopadhyay,
MS ’17, PhD ’21
Staff AI scientist at
GE HealthCare
Sam Fok, BS ’11, BS ’11
Founder & CEO of Femtosense
Yuriy Yuzifovich,
MBA ’00
Chief technology officer at GlobalLogic
“Innovating Health: Transforming Care Through Technology and Equity”
This panel explores how alumni and industry leaders are driving equitable innovation in health care throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Moderated by Vivek Mittal, PhD ’05, partner and managing director at Health Advances, panelists include Jeff Maltz, AB ’92, BS ’92, CEO of SilverRide, enhancing mobility and independence for older adults; Colton Calandrella, BSBA ’17, co-founder and CEO of Barti, using AI to reshape eye care practices and patient care; and Nick Goldner, PhD ’18, an angel investor for deep tech companies, with a focus on rocket/space, AI/LLM platforms, and techbio. He also serves as a venture partner at Pioneer Fund; and Piero Mendez, AB ’13, managing director at Panorama Research Inc., an incubator for a number of technologies and pharmaceutical projects and co-founder/managing partner at Corsalex, Inc., a biotechnology company developing innovative therapies to treat spectrum disorders, including ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Together, they will share insights on innovation that is cutting-edge and transforming health.
Learning outcomes
- Discover how professionals from various fields — technology, health care, and business — collaborate to drive innovation and address multifaceted challenges in the health care industry.
- Gain insights into how artificial intelligence is being integrated into health care systems, including diagnostics, electronic health records, and patient care, to improve outcomes and efficiency.
- Learn about innovative approaches to making health care more accessible and inclusive, particularly for underserved populations, through technology and community-based solutions.
Presenters and speakers
Colton Calandrella,
BSBA ’17 (moderator)
Co-founder and CEO of Barti
Nick Goldner, PhD ’18
Angel investor
Jeff Maltz,
AB ’92, BS ’92
Co-founder and CEO of SilverRide
Piero Mendez, AB ’13
Managing director at Panorama Research Inc.
Vivek Mittal, PhD ’05
Partner and managing director at Health Advances
IdeaBounce®
IdeaBounce® is both an online platform and an event for sharing ideas and making connections. This is an opportunity to pitch your idea (no matter how “half-baked”), get feedback on it, and make connections. Inventors, founders, and startups from across the Bay Area, and those interested in supporting them, are invited to attend.
Process
Each person has two minutes to deliver an elevator pitch on their idea. Judges score each pitch based on three criteria: clarity of the presentation, request for help, and the passion of the presenter.
Learning outcomes
- Attendees will engage with a diverse community of peers, judges, and mentors, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and expanding their professional networks within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Participants will refine their ability to articulate innovative ideas succinctly and compellingly through the practice of delivering concise pitches, a core component of the IdeaBounce® format.
Presenters and speakers
Kishore Kanakamedala
Senior director of product management for monetization privacy at Meta
Bryce Rattner Keithley,
AB ’07
Founding partner of Great Team Partners
Marcy Tivol, BFA ’93
Co-founder of Solving Fun