Startup Cafe is an entrepreneur speaking series that shares experiences and wisdom of successful technology entrepreneurs that have a local connection with people working in the Research Park and community. John Flavin has over 20 years of experience in the life sciences field focused on entrepreneurial finance and operations. He has led two successful NASDAQ IPOs, and has raised over $220 million in private and public funding. Over his career, he has successfully built a series of companies and the requisite business and scientific teams focused on discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Mr. Flavin was co-founder, President, CFO and board member for Advanced Life Sciences where he led the Company's financings and operations to support the acquisition and development of a novel antibiotic through NDA submission and FDA advisory committee review. Before that, he was COO and board member of Medichem and CEO of its ThermoGen and Emerald Biostructures Divisions, where he was instrumental in building the Company from start-up to over 230 employees and led its sale to DeCODE genetics, Inc.. John is also the Executive Director of Chicago Innovation Mentors, a consortium of the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois, Argonne National Laboratory, and Propel focused on commercializing complex technology innovation and entrepreneurship. Mr. Flavin is a member of the life sciences diligence panel for the State of Illinois Invest Illinois Venture Fund (IIVF) and is a Co-Chair for the BIO 2013 International Convention Program Committee. Mr. Flavin holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Marquette University and a M.B.A. in Finance from Lewis University.