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John Flavin

Founder & CEO at Portal Innovations, LLC

John Flavin is a highly accomplished leader known for his exceptional abilities in building successful corporate, academic, and civic ventures from inception to fruition.

Throughout his career, John has been instrumental in launching and guiding notable biotech companies like MediChem Life Sciences and Advanced Life Sciences, both of which went public on NASDAQ.

In the civic sphere, he has played a key role in establishing impactful organizations such as Chicago Innovation Mentors and MATTER, a prominent healthcare tech incubator located in Chicago's Merchandise Mart.

John's prowess in fundraising is evident as he has secured over $370 million in private and philanthropic capital to support the growth and development of these ventures.

Before co-founding Portal Innovations and Pyxis Oncology, John excelled as the leader of the University of Chicago's Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

At the Polsky Center, he facilitated the education, venture creation, and commercialization of inventions across campus and its affiliate institutions like Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

His efforts also led to the establishment of strategic partnerships with entities such as University of Illinois, Army Research Laboratory, Wexford Science & Technology, and AbbVie, contributing to over $150 million in philanthropic sponsorships.

John's remarkable achievements in innovation and entrepreneurship have earned him prestigious accolades, including recognition in Crain's Who's Who in Business and Crain's Tech 50.

He actively participates in influential councils like Governor Rauner's Innovation Council and Mayor Emanuel's ChicagoNEXT tech council, further showcasing his commitment to driving technological advancement and economic growth.

Educationally, John pursued his undergraduate studies in Finance at Marquette University and obtained his MBA in Finance from Lewis University, in addition to attending Benet Academy.

His extensive professional journey includes leadership roles at various organizations such as Portal Innovations, LLC, ClostraBio, Inc, Pyxis Oncology, and Argonne National Laboratory, among others.

John's vast experience ranges from being a Chief Financial Officer at Endotronix, Inc to serving as the Cofounder/Executive Director at MATTER/Chicago Innovation Mentors and holding positions like President, CFO, Co-founder, and Board Director at Advanced Life Sciences.

His contributions as a Managing Director, Senior Advisor, and Associate Vice President at the University of Chicago underscore his dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within academic settings.

In summary, John Flavin's exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and fundraising expertise have been instrumental in steering numerous successful ventures and fostering a culture of innovation across various sectors.

John Flavin
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Location

Greater Chicago Area