About the Entrepreneur in Residence Program
Each academic year, the Venture Initiation Program (VIP) extends a warm welcome to seasoned entrepreneurs who join us as mentors and valuable resources for VIP students. Our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) come from diverse backgrounds and play a vital role in providing essential guidance and support to teams of all kinds. They also conduct regular office hours and host various events throughout the year. Founders can easily schedule office hours with our current EIRs using the calendar links provided below.
2023-2024 VIP EIRs
Founder and CEO, Avisi Technologies, Inc.
Company site: www.avisitech.com
LinkedIn: in/rui-jing-jiang
Rui Jing Jiang is the Founder and CEO of Avisi Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in nanotechnology-enabled ocular implants. Avisi's flagship product, VisiPlate, is designed to address glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Rui Jing is actively involved in the healthcare and technology industry, with a strong presence in organizations such as AdvaMed, the National Science Foundation SBIR program, and the Nano Entrepreneurship Network. Her extensive experience and leadership have contributed to Avisi's growth and recognition in the field.
Company site: www.avisitech.com
LinkedIn: in/rui-jing-jiang
Rui Jing Jiang is the Founder and CEO of Avisi Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in nanotechnology-enabled ocular implants. Avisi's flagship product, VisiPlate, is designed to address glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Rui Jing is actively involved in the healthcare and technology industry, with a strong presence in organizations such as AdvaMed, the National Science Foundation SBIR program, and the Nano Entrepreneurship Network. Her extensive experience and leadership have contributed to Avisi's growth and recognition in the field.
Founder, AAVRANI
Company site: www.aavrani.com
LinkedIn: in/justinasilver
As the Co-Founder of AAVRANI, an Ayurvedic beauty brand, he gained recognition in notable publications such as the New York Times, Allure, and Vogue. Before venturing into the beauty industry, Justin was an early-stage consumer investor and a private equity professional, with a background in finance and management. With an MBA with honors from Wharton and a B.S. in Finance and Management from the Stern School of Business at New York University, he now dedicates his expertise to mentoring and supporting early-stage student and alumni ventures in the Venture Initiation Program at Venture Lab and also serves as a Venture Advisor to students at Yale University.
Company site: www.aavrani.com
LinkedIn: in/justinasilver
As the Co-Founder of AAVRANI, an Ayurvedic beauty brand, he gained recognition in notable publications such as the New York Times, Allure, and Vogue. Before venturing into the beauty industry, Justin was an early-stage consumer investor and a private equity professional, with a background in finance and management. With an MBA with honors from Wharton and a B.S. in Finance and Management from the Stern School of Business at New York University, he now dedicates his expertise to mentoring and supporting early-stage student and alumni ventures in the Venture Initiation Program at Venture Lab and also serves as a Venture Advisor to students at Yale University.
Founder, MD Ally Technologies
Company site: www.mdally.com
LinkedIn: in/shanelfields
Shanel Fields has made a remarkable impact on healthcare and public safety innovation. Her journey began as the daughter of a volunteer EMT, driving her mission to bridge the gap between 911 services and the broader healthcare ecosystem. She founded MD Ally, a pioneering 911 telehealth company, with a focus on expanding access to care. Through MD Ally, Shanel forges essential partnerships with payors and Public Safety entities to establish a new non-emergency 911 response tier, offering a wide spectrum of services. Her groundbreaking work and advocacy for expanded access to care have earned her national recognition.
Company site: www.mdally.com
LinkedIn: in/shanelfields
Shanel Fields has made a remarkable impact on healthcare and public safety innovation. Her journey began as the daughter of a volunteer EMT, driving her mission to bridge the gap between 911 services and the broader healthcare ecosystem. She founded MD Ally, a pioneering 911 telehealth company, with a focus on expanding access to care. Through MD Ally, Shanel forges essential partnerships with payors and Public Safety entities to establish a new non-emergency 911 response tier, offering a wide spectrum of services. Her groundbreaking work and advocacy for expanded access to care have earned her national recognition.
Founder and CEO, Elix
Company site: www.elixhealing.com
LinkedIn: in/luluge
Lulu Ge is the Founder and CEO of Elix, a pioneering wellness platform blending millennia-old cultural practices with modern science to address chronic conditions, starting with hormone health. Recognized as Inc Magazine’s Female Founder 200 and one of WoW's Top 100 Women in Femtech, she's been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and more. Prior to Elix, Lulu led transformation initiatives at Hudson’s Bay Company and Saks Fifth Avenue. With an MBA from Wharton and a Master's in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia, Lulu brings expertise in strategy, customer experience, and leadership. Based in New York City, she enjoys cooking, yoga, and exploring healing herbs. Connect with her on TikTok @lulutheherbalist and Instagram @luluge.
Company site: www.elixhealing.com
LinkedIn: in/luluge
Lulu Ge is the Founder and CEO of Elix, a pioneering wellness platform blending millennia-old cultural practices with modern science to address chronic conditions, starting with hormone health. Recognized as Inc Magazine’s Female Founder 200 and one of WoW's Top 100 Women in Femtech, she's been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and more. Prior to Elix, Lulu led transformation initiatives at Hudson’s Bay Company and Saks Fifth Avenue. With an MBA from Wharton and a Master's in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia, Lulu brings expertise in strategy, customer experience, and leadership. Based in New York City, she enjoys cooking, yoga, and exploring healing herbs. Connect with her on TikTok @lulutheherbalist and Instagram @luluge.