Hi, I’m Karthik!
I’m currently part of the investing team at Black Opal Ventures, an early-stage venture fund focused on the intersection of health and deep tech. Split between New York City and Philadelphia, I spend my time identifying and supporting groundbreaking innovations in healthcare.
With over a decade of experience in the healthcare and life sciences space, my journey began as an academic researcher at Stanford University and later as a management consultant at ZS. I’m passionate about advancing novel solutions that can transform the healthcare landscape.
SELECT WRITING
“Re-Engineering the Biotech Tech Stack” [February 2025, Black Opal Ventures]
“Investing in Outpace Bio” [July 2024, Black Opal Ventures]
SELECT PROJECTS
“OrganFlow” - Developing novel AI / ML tools to optimize preoperative care for solid organ transplant [University of Michigan]
“Project TOPI” - Collaboration with the Hasso Plaattner Institute of Design at Stanford (d.School) and Lucille Packard Children's Hospital to create a prototype headwear designed to monitor vital signs for newborns in the NICU. [Stanford d. School]
SELECT ORGANIZATIONS
Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund [2022-2024] - Wrote checks as an Investment Fellow and served on leadership for the fund as the Vice President of Education.
Zell Entrepreneur + Pinkert Healthcare Accelerator [2023 - 2024] - Active member of the Michigan Ross entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Stanford Undergraduate Research Association [2014 - 2016] - Co-founded and led Stanford’s cross-disciplinary undergraduate research community.
CONTACT