San Diego business accelerator HardTech Labs has appointed Michael Mendez as chief technology officer and managing partner.
The accelerator focuses on mining scientific technologies from research institutes and turning these discoveries into startups. Mendez, a serial entrepreneur in San Diego, has experience that aligns quite well with these goals.
Mendez has transitioned scientific discoveries into 10 startups so far in his career, five of which he co-founded. Mendez most recently co-founded Pareto Biotechnologies, where he served as chief technology officer. He was also one of the co-founders of Sapphire Energy, and the co-inventor of the Xenomouse platform technology that formed Abgenix (acquired by Amgen for $2.2 billion).
“Applying the Silicon Valley accelerator model to biotech, life science, and similar space has failed to serve the needs of these early-stage startups for years,” Mendez said in a statement. “After nearly three decades in the space, I know that the vision of HardTech Labs to fundamentally disrupt the early-stage hard science accelerator model will be transformative.”
HTL will provide initial financing, wet labs and hardware prototyping space, and guidance from mentors and advisors to its startups. Much of these perks come from being partnered with La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LJI), the company said.
“LJI has partnered with HardTech Labs to build something truly novel,” said Patrick Ho, vice president, chief business officer at LJI, in a statement. “Michael’s tremendous experience in genomics, immunology, energy and beyond provides invaluable insight and expertise and will be a vital asset as we build a new early-stage accelerator model.”
