A Deep Dive in Deep Tech with Lakeshore Ventures

Michael is a Principal Specialist for Quantum Computing in the High Performance Computing group at Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this role, he leads global business development and go to market efforts for Amazon Braket, a fully-managed quantum computing service in the cloud at AWS. He was previously SVP for Applications at Rigetti Computing, a quantum computing hardware company based in Berkeley, and CEO of QxBranch, a quantum computing applications start-up company acquired by Rigetti in 2019. Michael has a background in probabilistic risk modelling for aerospace applications and studied a Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Avionics and an Executive Master of Business in Complex Project Management, both from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

John is a founder, entrepreneurial advisor, and product developer with over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience. He has founded and led two companies and managed economic development programs for the State Department in Afghanistan and Iraq. His background straddles Deep Tech that includes robotics, software, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and energy. He is passionate about exploring new technologies and interested in everything from Machine Learning to clean energy. John has a BS in Physics from George Washington University, an MS in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University, and an MBA from Stern NYU Business School. John is a partner at FedTech, a venture builder at the intersection of US entrepreneurship, breakthrough technologies, and mission-driven organizations.

Dana Sun is a Senior Associate at OCA Ventures, a Chicago-based venture capital firm that invests in innovative core tech, fintech, and healthcare companies across the nation. At OCA, Dana focuses on investments in healthcare technology and services, and was a member of the deal team for eBlu Solutions, OssoVR, BioROSA, and iPill.

Previously, Dana was a strategic finance associate at Genentech in their Center of Financial Insights, which drove key commercial decisions across global affiliates. Before that, she was a management consultant at Accenture and primarily advised Fortune 500 healthcare clients including providers, payers, and biopharma companies on business & operations strategy.

Dana earned her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the city with friends & family, playing tennis, and doing improv acting.

Zongxing Wang, PhD MBA currently serves as Director of BioGenerator Ventures in St. Louis, Missouri. In this role, he assesses technology and business feasibility, formulates startup strategy, and executes investment processes. In addition to acting as a biotech venture capital investor, he is also engaged in company building — same as an entrepreneur. Prior to joining BioGenerator, Zongxing Wang started his VC career at ARCH Venture Partners, where he helped research advanced new technologies and evaluate investment opportunities. Before delving into VC, Zongxing worked with a unicorn startup — Magic Leap. He helped develop its first commercial product, Magic Leap 1. Additionally, Dr. Wang founded and successfully led Neukit Corporation to invent a drug delivery particle manufacturing process. Upon transferring the intellectual property, the business generated significant financial returns for stakeholders. In his career as a company builder, he has won several awards for technology invention and commercialization, including SBIR grants from NIH and other philanthropy awards. Zongxing earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Zongxing is deeply passionate about commercializing technologies, especially those profoundly impacting society and improving people’s lives. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Before joining Alumni Ventures in 2021, Justin helped two corporate venture capital units achieve top-quartile returns. He has invested in companies across the U.S., Europe, and Israel from Seed stage to Series D and has been the board observer for 10 companies. Justin’s experience prior to entering venture capital was focused on the financial markets, where he traded derivatives in the global markets for eight years and then co-founded a financial markets education and research business. Justin is a former college and professional golfer, competing in over 40 professional tournaments and participating in the PGA Tour’s qualifying school. He and his wife are both proud graduates of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.