John F. Harris
Managing Partner at JAZZ Venture Partners
John F. Harris
Managing Partner at JAZZ Venture Partners
Medina, Washington
Overview
Work Experience
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
2015 - Current
JAZZ invests in companies that unlock human potential. We seek breakthroughs at the convergence of technology, science, and humanity — improving how we live, work, and experience the world. JAZZ targets early and growth stage companies in enterprise, wellness, healthcare, and consumer markets. We are a team of experienced operators, technologists, scientists, and entrepreneurs who work together to make a positive difference. www.jazzvp.com
Member
2002
YPO connects 21,000+ current and former chief executives leading companies generating US$6 trillion in revenue and employing more than 15 million people in 125+ countries. Active in the Healthcare Industry Network and Digital, Media and Marketing Network groups.
President and CEO
2013 - 2014
i1 Biometrics is developing advanced technologies for scientifically measuring sports-related impacts to the head. Company acquired in April 2014.
President and CEO
2004 - 2013
Neurovista is a leading innovator in neuro-implantable medical devices for the management and treatment of epilepsy. The Company was acquired by Cyberonics in 2013. • Founding CEO. Served as CEO from inception through the acquisition of the technology by Cyberonics, Inc. in February 2013. • Raised more than $60M in venture capital and strategic partner financing over the life of the company. • Led the development of an innovative technology platform to continuously monitor real-time EEG in fully ambulatory patients and provide real-time seizure advisory information. Areas of technology included neuroimplantable leads, implantable electronics package, telemetry, recharging, real-time algorithms, and cloud computing. • Technology platform successfully implanted in 15 patients in Australia, producing the first definitive demonstration of prospective seizure prediction in patients living with epilepsy. Highly successful study results published in Lancet – Neurology in May 2013.
Entrepreneur in Residence
2003 - 2004
• Evaluated medical device opportunities with Versant Ventures for purposes of investment evaluation as well as identification of CEO opportunity.
Co-Founder, Vice President, Marketing and Business Development
1999 - 2003
Co-Founder of Northstar, a medical device company focused on the treatment of stroke and other neurological diseases by delivering targeted electrical stimulation to specific sites on the cerebral cortex. The Company was acquired by St. Jude Medical in 2006. • Initially responsible for all aspects of company’s business development, marketing, finance, product management and administration. • Raised four rounds of private financing in the U.S. and Europe totaling $57 million. • Developed and launched initial product platform for the treatment of spinal pain while concurrently developing IPG-based implantable systems for the treatment of stroke and other neurological disorders.
Entrepreneur in Residence
1998 - 1999
Provided strategic advice and helped identify new medical device investment opportunities. Evaluated ~100 medical device product concepts and advised firm on merit of specific investment opportunities. Ultimately identified key area of opportunity, developed product concept, developed business plan, and formed Northstar Neuroscience.
Co Founder, Vice President of Marketing
1992 - 1998
Founder of Heartstream, an automated external defibrillator company that is now the recognized market leader with more than one million units shipped. Public offering in 1996 and then acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 1998. • Heartstream fundamentally redefined emergency cardiac care and opened new markets in which thousands of lives are now saved each year. • Member of executive team responsible for company formation, product development, venture financing, FDA clearance, product launch, manufacturing scale-up, an initial public offering, worldwide sales and distribution, and the sale of the company to Hewlett-Packard. • Incorporated company, developed business plan and raised three rounds of private financing totaling $28 million. • Completed a $50 million initial public offering in 1996, and an acquisition of the company by Hewlett-Packard in 1998. • At various times responsible for all aspects of company’s strategic and product planning, business development, marketing, finance, product management and administration.