Meet Our Founders

Dr Johana Carolina Marisol Vega Leonel

Johana holds a PhD in NeuroEngineering and has spent decades in scientific research, including when working at the Center for Disease Control. Her research spans several science and engineering fields like Tissue Engineering, Biochemisty, Materials Science, Polymers, Electrical Engineering & Medicine.

Not only has she been a Postdoctoral researcher and teaching faculty at Stanford but she is also ideating on a few MedTech startup ideas of her own. She is an advisor to a few prosthetics/medtech startups. She is also a mentor and startup advisor to fast growing companies at the intersection of Brain Computer Interface and Bionics.

Strengths

Most of Johana's work has been in undefined, unknown fields as well as had uncertain and unforeseen challenges. As such, uncertainty, unknowns or multifaceted challenges are a regular part of a day at work. She is not only a dreamer but also a good storyteller. Through her stories, people get inspired to do more and better.

Her challenging childhood as well as professional experience where she always had to break barriers - racial, gender, health, etc. These challenges lent a lot of emotional intelligence that lends stability and longevity to her technical prowess.

Beyond work

Johana likes to read, bike and play boardgames. Despite her cutting edge work, in personal life, she tries to stay grounded by being more old-school. Be it writing notes on a paper, or watching plays or listening to old music - Bolero, Tango, Mariachi and music from the Middle East and Africa.

Varun Turlapati

Varun holds a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering and has close to 2 decades of experience in the technology industry across various verticals. His experience with companies - early/late, big/small, failed/successful - adds to his acumen and sagacity.

He has been an investor and is also working in the Venture Capital space these days. He served as a Fractional CTO at an early stage PropTech startup and is currently a Tech Advisor/VP Engg with a Media and EdTech startup. He is also building his passion project in the field of regenerative farming/land stewardship. He is also a small business owner of 2 companies.

Strengths

Varun thrives on unraveling complex technical challenges and finding innovative solutions. His ability to think outside the box and approach issues from multiple angles makes him an invaluable asset to our team and as a mentor.

Varun believes that he his ability to unlearn is his superpower. He’s constantly seeking knowledge, meeting people, reading up, and is looking to learn new things. He loves learning by teaching and in many workplaces he prided himself in being the bridge between functions - tech and non-tech, customer support and product, etc.

Beyond work

When Varun isn’t programming or mentoring or analyzing companies or strategizing or building connections, he’s likely immersed in a creative pursuit. Whether it’s photography, writing, or playing a musical instrument, Varun finds inspiration in the arts.

Varun knows that balance is essential. He is passionate about protecting the planet and in his ever continuing zeal to go beyond words and actually do, he learnt to love gardening. In keeping with unconventional methods and solutions, he has adopted/fostered nests of native bees over the last few years. He urges us to appreciate life beyond the office walls!

Common Values

Both our founders share passions in the following:

  • Being of service to humanity (and animals)
  • Breaking barriers and helping others
  • Nurting and inspiring through actions and examples
  • Being ambitious with a Can-do approach
  • Having fun and while doing things

Meet with us

We also have subject matter experts in our company and our network as well as partners who may be of service to you. Learn more about our team's collective expertise and how we can help your business thrive.