Episode #40: Three Breakthroughs: Brain-Computer Interfaces, Advanced Neural Networks, and Ozempic Trade Update

Tech Optimist Podcast — Tech, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

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In the latest episode of the AV Tech Optimist podcast, ‘Three Breakthroughs’ segment, Mike Collins and Michael Peri explore three transformative technologies set to reshape our health. They delve into Neuralink’s brain-machine interfaces, which promise to revolutionize neurological treatments and enhance cognitive capabilities. The discussion also covers advancements in artificial intelligence through deep neural networks, pushing the boundaries of machine learning. Additionally, they discuss the widespread impact of GLP-1 drugs on managing diabetes and obesity, with significant implications for public health.

Episode #40 – Three Breakthroughs

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This week on the Tech Optimist podcast, join Alumni Ventures’ Mike Collins and Michael Peri as they cover three exciting breakthroughs:

  1. Brain-Computer Interfaces, which promise to revolutionize neurological treatments and enhance cognitive capabilities.
  2. Advanced Neural Networks that are pushing the boundaries of machine learning.
  3. Ozempic Trade Update on the management of diabetes and obesity, with significant implications for public health.

Tune in to learn how these innovations are at the forefront of medical and technological progress.

Watch Time ~50 minutes

The show is produced by Alumni Ventures, which has been recognized as a “Top 20 Venture Firm” by CB Insights (’24) and as the “#1 Most Active Venture Firm in the US” by Pitchbook (’22 & ’23).

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Creators and Guests

HOST

Mike Collins
CEO, and Co-Founder at Alumni Ventures

Mike has been involved in almost every facet of venturing, from angel investing to venture capital, new business and product launches, and innovation consulting. He is currently CEO of Alumni Ventures Group, the managing company for our fund, and launched AV’s first alumni fund, Green D Ventures, where he oversaw the portfolio as Managing Partner and is now Managing Partner Emeritus. Mike is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple companies, including Kid Galaxy, Big Idea Group (partially owned by WPP), and RDM. He began his career at VC firm TA Associates. He holds an undergraduate degree in Engineering Science from Dartmouth and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

GUEST

Michael Peri
Partner, Alumni Ventures

Mike, an accomplished venture capitalist and operator with over a decade of industry experience, brings a wealth of expertise to Alumni Ventures. Before joining AV as a Partner, he held a Lead Director role at CVS Health Ventures, where he focused on investments in early and growth-stage digital health companies and played a key role in shaping the firm’s portfolio management strategy. Prior to this, Mike served as a Partner at Distributed Ventures, an early-stage fund with a strong thematic emphasis on digital health, insuretech, and fintech sectors. His journey in the industry began with leadership in product and analytics at Yaro Health, a venture-incubated company that achieved a successful acquisition. Throughout his career, Mike has assumed pivotal roles in strategy, early-stage startups, and data science, shaping his comprehensive understanding of the venture landscape. Mike holds a Masters of Science in Applied Data Science from the University of Chicago, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees from DePaul University and the University of Iowa, respectively.

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