Management
Michael D. Grisham, M.B.A., Managing Member
Mike has extensive experience successfully growing high potential healthcare companies. He co-founded and was CEO of: Artemis Health — prenatal genetic screening; CELLective Dx - cancer cell detection; Paradigm Health Corporation — health care services company managing all healthcare aspects of complex catastrophic medical conditions; and Neurocare, Inc. - a leading provider of post-acute rehabilitative services for traumatically brain-injured individuals. Mr. Grisham received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Edmund S. Ruffin, Jr., Member and General Counsel
Ned is a founding member of NovaTech Law, PLLC, with 20 years of experience representing and investing in emerging growth companies in the life sciences, telecommunications, internet and software sectors. He has helped build numerous companies from formation to successful public offering and acquisition, including: PayPal (sold to eBay): Infinera (INFN): Lightera Networks (sold to Ciena): and Eos Biotechnology (sold to Protein Design Labs). Prior to founding NovaTech, Ned was a partner in the Emerging Companies Group at the Washington DC office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Before joining Orrick, he was managing director of Venture Law Group's Reston, Virginia office. Mr. Ruffin received his BA from the University of Texas and MBA and JD from William & Mary College.
James B. Farinholt, Jr., Member and Financial Advisor
Jim is a founding Managing Partner of Tall Oaks Capital, a start-up and early stage venture fund focused on IT and life sciences. With an extensive career in finance and investment, he has co-founded several life science companies, including: Allos Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTH) — biopharma for cancer; DiaKine Therapeutics, Inc. - anti-inflammatories focused on diabetes; and PluroGen Therapeutics, Inc. - biotech products for complex wound management. Jim was Interim Director of Technology Transfer, a founding member of the VCU Intellectual Properties Foundation and Executive Director of the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park. Prior to his service at VCU, he was an executive officer in investment banking at JPMorganChase & Co. in New York and two investment banking & brokerage firms in Richmond, Virginia.