Executive with Extensive Startup Business Experience Leads VIC’s New Mexico Expansion
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – VIC Technology Venture Development™ (VIC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Yun Li as Managing Director – New Mexico Branch. Dr. Li is also serving as interim CEO of VIC portfolio company Nob Hill Therapeutics, Inc. Her multifaceted professional career spans from R&D and global program management in Fortune 50
0 companies to technology commercialization/startup and business consulting. In 2006, she started a consulting firm in business and professional development. In this capacity, she assisted a wide range of companies in building commercialization strategies and capabilities, clarifying value propositions, defining applications/markets, building teams, and raising capital. She has previously been a founding member of five technology startups.
Dr. Li will assist in the assessment and creation of new ventures in New Mexico based on exclusively licensed intellectual property from top research institutions in that state and around the world. She provides management expertise in the areas of business development, technology commercialization, market identification, and team building. Dr. Li will also oversee the development and execution of key commercial milestones, funding, and recruitment of permanent CEOs and management teams into VIC’s New Mexico portfolio companies.
“STC has worked with VIC for a couple of years, and one of VIC’s portfolio companies, Nob Hill Therapeutics, is based on patented technology developed at the University of New Mexico,” said Lisa Kuuttila, CEO & Chief Economic Development Officer of STC.UNM (STC), the University of New Mexico’s technology-transfer and economic-development organization. “The new branch office in New Mexico is a great example of VIC’s commitment to become an active participant in the growth of an innovation economy in New Mexico, and is in alignment with our mission to nurture innovation and catalyze economic development. We are very excited to work with Dr. Li and VIC to support their launch of more new companies in New Mexico based on UNM technologies.”
“Dr. Li is an outstanding addition to the VIC team and brings a strong combination of startup and business experience along with a deep technical background and understanding,” said Calvin Goforth, VIC CEO. “She also brings excellent international business relationships and knowledge, and will be helping shape our portfolio companies’ strategies for sales into China.”
“I am excited to have joined VIC, which has a proven process that greatly increases the likelihood of commercial success for technology transfer out of universities and federal laboratories. Technology commercialization is something I am passionate about and enjoy doing, and VIC’s company culture of integrity and collaboration is right for me,” said Dr. Li.
Dr. Li was a board member of Startup New Mexico, and served on the board of advisors at Technology Venture Corporation.