Carnegie Mellon University-Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures

Abstract:

This program is about funding early stage ventures. I don’t assume that you have much entrepreneurial background, but if you have taken any of the various introductory entrepreneurship classes that is helpful. I also don’t assume that you have any business or finance background. We will be looking at funding from the funder’s point of view. The theory behind that is that once you understand what is important to funders, you can more successfully raise funds as an entrepreneur. Also, some of you may be looking into careers from the funding side; in that case, you will find this course covers essential information.

Instructor      

Stephen Bollinger brings a very diverse background with respect to the medical device and biologic market place. He has held multiple leadership positions from a Founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operations Officer, of early stage companies, to a broad spectrum of roles not limited to, global operations, marketing, product management and sales. He also is an Adjunct Professor at Carnegie Mellon Universities Heinz and Tepper School of Businesses.

Currently he is Founder and CEO of Rinovum Women’s Health.  Prior to founding Rinovum Women’s Health, Inc. in 2010, Bollinger was an active Executive in Residence at Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse where he supports building and investing is early stage life science companies beginning in 2009 to present.  Prior to the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, Bollinger was an Executive-in-Residence at Highland Capital Partners where he supported the healthcare segment of the firm in 2009.  From 2005 to 2008 he was President and Chief Operations Officer at Pervasis Therapeutics, Inc., which was a privately held biologically active medical device company pioneering regenerative and cell-based therapies with respect to interventional cardiology, interventional radiology, and vascular surgery, sold to Shire in 2010.  From 2000 to 2004, he was a founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Angiolink Corporation, which was a privately held medical device company, with responsibilities for overall operations, and sold the company to Medtronic Corporation in fall of 2004. From 1997 to 1999 Mr. Bollinger was the Vice President of Research, Development, and Operations for Byron Medical and held overall responsibility for corporate operations, selling the company to Mentor Corporation in 1999. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Bollinger has held positions at Mentor Corporation, American Hydro-Surgical Instruments, and Deknatel, in a variety of roles ranging from Sales to Product Development and Marketing Management.

Mr. Bollinger served as an artillery officer in the United States Army from 1987 to 1991, and during his service he led and supervised reconnaissance teams into combat during Operation Desert Storm. In 1991, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional meritorious service during combat. Also during his service, he graduated from the United States Army Airborne and Ranger Schools. Mr. Bollinger currently holds nine medical patents, with multiple pending. He received his M.B.A. from Oklahoma City University and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy West Point with a B.S. in mechanical engineering.