Michael J. Partsch

Michael J. Partsch is a veteran medical device venture capitalist and startup CEO with 30 years of operational experience in venture investing and early-stage management, with a particular interest in the life sciences industry. Mike is the Chief Venture Officer at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), where he oversees activities associated with the formation and funding of new startups to transfer inventions arising out of UW-Madison research into commercial enterprises. In this capacity, Mike manages a portfolio of $110M. Prior to joining WARF, Mike founded AcceleMed Management, Inc. where he managed a portfolio of medical device start-ups and helped them raise millions in capital. Mike was also one of the founders of Accuitive Medical Ventures (AMV), a venture capital firm focused on investing in early stage medical device technologies. As founder, Mike played a significant role in devising the fund’s investment strategy, raising the $55M first fund, and deploying the capital in 10 investments. Mike’s work experience includes three years with Versant Ventures, a premier $650 million healthcare-focused venture fund, where he focused on medical device investing, and played significant roles in the investments in: IntraLase Corp. (NASDAQ: ILSE), Glaukos, Confirma, Cameron Health, AcuFocus, NeoVista, Inogen and Second Sight. Mike holds a dual major Bachelor's degree in Biology and Philosophy of Science with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, and holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University with dual concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Mike’s academic achievements include being selected as a Kauffman Fellow, a prestigious two-year post-graduate fellowship in venture capital sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation.