Former Mentors

Derek V. Exner

Location: Canada

Dr. Derek V. Exner, MD, MPH is a practicing heart rhythm specialist, professor, and Associate Dean of Innovation and Commercialization at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary. He is an international authority on clinical trials. After navigating the complex path to market access approval for two companies he co-founded, Derek founded the Integrated Management Platform to Accelerate Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Program at the University of Calgary. IMPACTsimplifies and demystifies clinical validation and regulatory adherence, assisting health tech innovators over their development, from proof of concept testing through market access approval.

Derek has served in numerous leadership positions for clinical trials and has participated in multiple Canadian and International practice guidelines. He is a recognized international expert in cardiovascular medical devices for heart rhythm disorders and frequently lectures and trains physicians on surgical technique and best practices in this area. He is actively involved with innovation and commercialization activities, leading commercialization efforts for multiple medical devices, advising multiple large and small medical device companies, serving as an expert to the Canadian government, and actively mentoring companies through the Creative Destruction Network. Derek is also an active angel investor and board member at HaloHealth.

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Michael Chan

Location: Hong Kong 

Michael has over 20 years’ experience in the finance industry and is a seasoned banker at Deutsche Bank Wealth Management since 2010, focusing on investment for the HK family offices. Previously worked in equity derivatives sales team at Lehman Brothers, Nomura and Citigroup.

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Michael is also passionate and actively involved in the education sector and serves as the Director of Babylon Education since early 2010, covering business development for international school projects across Asia and investing in edtech projects.

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Michael has a BBA degree from CUHK, an MBA from Columbia University, and is a CFA charter holder. Michael is also a adjunct assistant professor for HKU business school and sits on the board for Malvern College Asia and Columbia Venture Community.

Furuzonfar Zehni

Location: Hong Kong 

Furuzonfar Zehni is a Partner of Fresco Capital and is involved in all aspects of investment and operations. He has extensive experience in developing and executing investment strategies for long-term resilience and strong know-how in developing and managing the operational foundation. Prior to Fresco Capital , Furuzonfar built and scaled businesses in data analytics, wealth management and investment advisory. Before plunging into the entrepreneurial world he was with Ernst & Young.

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He is a TEDx license holder, a mentor for the Laudato Si Challenge, a mentor for Founder Institute, and is an active member of the Hong Kong University and St. John’s College Alumni Club. With the Shahidi Foundation, Furuzonfar is passionate about economic and cultural empowerment.

Will Xie

Location: Hong Kong 

Will Xie serves as the CFO at Atypical Ventures, a venture capital firm that specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies in China. With more than 15 years of experience in the field of private equity funds and venture capital, he has successfully taken on diverse responsibilities ranging from investment to operational management. Before joining Atypical Ventures, Will worked at Ernst & Young. Will is a CPA in Canada.