As an entrepreneur in residence, Mark Christopherson will bring his expertise in startups to help Solas BioVentures vet potential investments, support current investments, and strategize for the future.
Chattanooga, Tennessee (December 1, 2022) – Today, Solas BioVentures, a venture capital firm, announced the addition of acclaimed entrepreneur Mark Christopherson as an entrepreneur in residence. With extensive executive experience in the medical device field and venture-funded MedTech startup space, Mark will help Solas further support its portfolio companies and serve as the company’s ambassador to the nation’s Medtech capital Minnesota’s Medical Alley, and help the firm expand its growth strategy.
Over the past three decades, Mark has served in leadership positions in large, international medical device companies such as Medtronic and has managed and held leadership roles in four venture-funded startups. In 2018, he joined Cryosa as president and CEO, leading the company from early concept to a viable therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. As a founding executive of Inspire Medical Systems, Mark led the development of an implantable nerve stimulation system to treat obstructive sleep apnea. In 2018, Inspire completed a successful IPO exceeding $800M and, in 2021, reached a market capitalization of $7.5B. At NxThera, he led the research and development of the company’s therapy for treating BPH during the pivotal trial phase and the product’s commercialization. NxThera exited to Boston Scientific for $406M in April 2018.
Mark holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) degree from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from Bethel University of St. Paul, Minnesota.
“We’re excited Mark is aboard! His decades of experience will be invaluable as we expand our strategy for vetting and funding startups with the greatest potential to improve patient outcomes,” said Dr. David Adair, Solas BioVentures Co-Founder and Managing General Partner. “Besides acting as our ambassador to the MedTech nerve center of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Mark will apply his expertise by providing current portfolio companies with the insight and support they need to develop and exit well.”
ABOUT SOLAS BIOVENTURES:
Solas BioVentures is a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in the life science industry, focusing on early and development-stage Biotech and MedTech companies advancing impactful, disruptive technologies. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, its coverage is global. For more information, visit solasbio.com.
