This isn't your typical tech talk - it's an intimate, informal conversation where you'll hear directly from PhD founders about their journey from the lab bench to launching a venture-backed startup.

Don’t miss this chance to connect, ask questions, and explore founder pathways to success.

The speakers will share:

• Their path from lab bench to creating a company

• What would they do differently

• Answers to your most pressing questions

Grab a bite, join the discussion, meet people working on exciting projects, and leave with new insights. Open to the Harvard community.

Speakers and company profiles:

Benjamin Freedman, PhD

Benjamin Freedman, PhD is the co-founder of Limax Biosciences, a biotechnology startup spun out of the Wyss Institute at Harvard University. Limax is developing a next-generation biodegradable hydrogel tissue adhesive inspired by the natural mucus of slugs, with adhesion strength 100 to 1,000 times greater than existing commercial sealants on wet tissue surfaces. The technology addresses a critical gap in surgery: over 30% of procedures still result in bleeding-related complications despite current products on the market.

Benjamin received his PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania and conducted his postdoctoral research in David Mooney's lab at the Wyss Institute, where he co-invented the patented technology behind Limax. He has published 42 manuscripts, holds NIH and NSF grants as PI, and has presented over 60 conference abstracts. Limax won first place in the Health & Life Sciences Track of the 2022 Harvard President's Innovation Challenge and has received grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and NSF I-Corps.

Paul Le Floch, PhD

Paul Le Floch, PhD is the CEO and co-founder of Axoft, a clinical-stage technology start-up developing ultrasoft, high-resolution and chronically stable Brain-Computer Interfaces. Axoft's proprietary Fleuron material is up to 10,000 times softer than the polyimide used in existing brain implants, enabling a seamless, stable interface with brain tissue that captures high-resolution neural data over longer periods.

Paul Le Floch obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Sciences and Mechanical Engineering from Harvard SEAS in 2022 and Masters from the French universities Mines Paris and ESPCI Paris. Dr. Le Floch is a Gold winner of the graduate student award from the Materials Research Society for his work on soft neural interfaces, and was recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Science category.

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