National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) Board

Ryan Ramkhelawan

Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Lasting Machine Ventures; Entrepreneur in Residence, Opportunity Health; VP Venture Development, Start Co

Ryan is a serial startup founder turned venture development professional. After taking two medical device startups through FDA clearance, market entrance, to scale and one to acquisition, he joined Start Co. as Director of Acceleration in 2018 and was promoted to VP of Venture Development in 2020. He oversees investment opportunities for accelerators, build innovation systems for universities, city government and associations, teach lean startup principles and serve as an executive coach to new CEOs. Most recently, Ryan co-founded a venture capital firm focused on medical innovation in the southeastern US. Ryan’s business and clinical accomplishments have allowed him to become a founding member of the Forbes Technology Council, a member of the Young Entrepreneur Council, a graduate of the top VC emerging manager program in the world and recently selected by Harvard Business School for the 2022 Young American Leaders Program for U.S. competitiveness. In addition, he received recognition in the Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 and received The National Vascular Recognition Award for the longest saphenous vein dissection without surgical error. Also, Ryan is a mentor and startup expert within multiple ecosystems across the country.