Welcome to my webpage

I bring usefulness to science. My work with investors, scientists, researchers & clinicians builds upon 25+ years of startup experience translating, assessing, validating & supporting research, discovery and innovation.

-Russ Donda

Engaged Board Member for Startups

As an engaged board of directors member, my focus is on helping startup founders understand and undertake those activities which are critical to building the value of the business. For example, I routinely provide guidance on:

• Funding strategy How to maintain founder control via comprehensive funding strategy but also how to keep investors informed and involved

• Valuation Multi-pronged strategies to achieve higher company valuations;

• Strategic relationships Analysis of strategic relationship impact on valuation, contract review & negotiation;

• Intellectual property Viewing IP as a value driver, patent claim breadth & translation into competitive advantage; and

• Resources Team build out as a strategy, use of my industry connections to help find needed people and funding.

A key to becoming a good startup board member, especially an engaged member, is the relationship between the startup’s CEO/founder and the board member (both parties should like and respect each other). Anything short of that is, I believe, a recipe for poor outcomes. In my experience, an appropriate way to forecast whether a good chemistry can exist is to have the prospective board member attend several board meetings as a guest. After the parties mutually agree to move ahead with an offer to join the startup’s board, a board position can become formal. In all of my work with startups, whether as an investor, management or as a member of the board of directors, this chemistry has been essential. Please feel welcome to reach out to me for more discussion through the contact form below.

Featured Articles by Russ Donda

Startups: Avoid the Company Giveaway

A Startup’s Big Delusion

The Big Mistake for Startups