Hailing from over 20 countries, our multidisciplinary team spans restorative neuroscience, neurotechnology, brain-computer interface, robotics and game design.
Team
A neuroscientist, engineer, entrepreneur and member of the international advisory board of the Brain Forum, Tej is the founder and CEO of MindMaze. Born to a family of physicians in Hyderabad, after studying Electronics Engineering in India, he moved to Switzerland in 2004 to pursue his PhD at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).His research topic, Neural Mechanisms of the Embodied Self: Merging VR and electrical neuroimaging, was the starting point for his pioneering vision to create a computing platform that captures neural and ambient signatures based on intent.
Formerly executive with Medtronic, Lysis, Sensimed, KB Medical, now with MindMaze SA. Jean-Marc has over 25 years of experience in international growth management and financing. He is active since 2003 as an executive, director and consultant for innovative high-tech companies. Jean-Marc spent 8 years as founder and CEO of Sensimed, then took the position of CEO with KB Medical, a company active in providing robotic assistance for spinal surgery procedures and led the company to a successful trade sale with Globus Medical. Since September 2017, Jean-Marc joined MindMaze as Chief Operating Officer. Jean-Marc holds an MSc in Electrical Engineering from EPFL and an MBA from IMD.
John is a neurologist and neuroscientist. He is currently the John C. Malone Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the Director of the Brain, Learning, Animation, and Movement (BLAM) laboratory, and co-founder of the KATA project at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His areas of interest range from motor learning and motor control and Stroke to bioethics. From 2003 until 2010 he was the codirector of the Motor Performance Laboratory at the Neurological Institute of Columbia University. He received his bachelor’s degree at Trinity College of Cambridge University. He received his medical education at Columbia University. He completed the Osler internship at Johns Hopkins University and both his Neurology residency and Neurovascular fellowship at Columbia University.
Junien is a high-tech industry veteran. Starting as a French engineer in EE/CS, he spent 13 years at Philips Electronics, working on microprocessor architecture, development of ASICs and custom IC’s for the disk drive industry. In 1995 he teamed with a Silicon Valley start-up as VP of Engineering
to develop Windows-based video cameras. In 1997 Junien joined Logitech Inc. and was named SVP of Products in 2006 to manage the definition and the development of the worldwide product portfolio. Since 2013 he’s had several executive board positions with start-ups in the Lausanne area. Junien spent 24 years in the San Francisco Bay Area and comes with a strong experience in product and technology management.
With more than 20 years of Healthcare and medical device industry experience, Walid is also a technology venture investor and advises several global private equity firms. He previously held significant leadership roles at Cardinal Health as president, International MPS and senior vice president of Strategy and Corporate Development. Prior to that, he worked for Medtronic Europe as Head of Business Development and Head of Finance, CRM, and started his career at Procter & Gamble in Brand Management. Walid holds an MBA from the Wharton School, a Master of Law from University of Paris and is also a graduate from “Science Po”, the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris.
With 27 years of investment and operations experience focusing on media, technology and healthcare, Rafael Fogel was a Founding Partner at Falcon Investment Advisors, EVP at SunAmerica Investments and CFO and head of business development at BIG3 Basketball and related entertainment properties.
He started his career at Franklin Templeton Group of Funds after receiving a BA with honors in Economics from Haverford College. Rafael has sat on the Board of Directors of dozens of companies including Legendary Pictures, ARCA, Saveology, TCC Wireless, and Village Roadshow.
Recently, Rafael has joined MindMaze as a Senior Financial Advisor.
Pierre-Emmanuel has a BA in entrepreneurship from Babson College and an MBA from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Prior to joining MindMaze from the beginning in 2011, Pierre-Emmanuel worked for Pricewaterhouse Coopers for five years in Lausanne. He also holds a CPA license. Pierre started his own startup consulting company Tyxom SA in 2011 and has supported many startups in financial modeling and fundraising.
Board
A neuroscientist, engineer, entrepreneur and member of the international advisory board of the Brain Forum, Tej is the founder and CEO of MindMaze. Born to a family of physicians in Hyderabad, after studying Electronics Engineering in India, he moved to Switzerland in 2004 to pursue his PhD at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).His research topic, Neural Mechanisms of the Embodied Self: Merging VR and electrical neuroimaging, was the starting point for his pioneering vision to create a computing platform that captures neural and ambient signatures based on intent.
Olaf is founding director of the Center for Neuroprosthetics, Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Cognitive Neuroprosthetics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. He also directs the Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience at EPFL and is Professor of Neurology at the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital of Geneva. His research is dedicated to the neuroscientific study of multisensory body perception and its relevance for self-consciousness by using a broad range of methods such as the neuropsychology, invasive and non-invasive electrophysiology, and brain imaging in healthy subjects, neurological and psychiatric patients. Most recently he has pioneered the joint use of engineering techniques such as robotics and VR with techniques from cognitive neuroscience and their application to systems and cognitive neuroprosthetics and neurorestorative care.
Henk is an entrepreneur and clean energy visionary, who has dedicated the past decade of his career to the research, development, advocacy and implementation of renewable energy sources. He’s a leading global advocate for space exploration as the Chairman of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems and the founder of the International MoonBase Alliance, a group dedicated to building the first colony on the moon. He spent his early career in Japan as a video game developer and publisher, gaining distinction for producing the country’s first major role-playing game, The Black Onyx. Then went on to revolutionize the video game industry by securing the rights for the blockbuster Tetris, which 30 years later remains a bestseller and global icon of gaming culture.
Elmar Schnee is serving as non-executive Chairman of Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG and Calliditas Therapeutics AB and as non-executive Director of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. From 2016 to 2018 Mr. Schnee served as COO and Management advisor for Mindmaze. He was as a non-executive director of Cardiorentis Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from October 2011 until November 2013. From 2003 to 2011, Mr. Schnee held various positions at Merck KGaA, a global pharmaceutical and chemical group. He joined Merck in 2003 as Managing Director of Merck Santé s.a.s. and in November 2005, Mr. Schnee was appointed to the Executive Board and General Partner of Merck KGaA, responsible for the pharmaceuticals business and served in this position until 2011. Prior to Merck, Mr. Schnee held senior positions in strategy, business development and marketing at UCB SA, Sanofi-Synthélabo SA, Migliara/Kaplan Associates, Inc. and Fisons Pharmaceutical PLC. In addition, Mr. Schnee currently serves on the board of directors of four privately-held life sciences companies. Mr. Schnee holds both a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a master’s degree in marketing and general management from the Swiss Institute of Business Administration in Zurich.
Advisors
Mark is a hugely respected figure in the global insurance and asset management industry, and is credited with turning around the fortunes of many non-performing operations. Starting out in his native New Zealand, Mark spent the next 14 years in Asia, culminating in a role as CEO of Asian insurance giant, AIA in 2009. Mark navigated AIA successfully through the global financial crisis and through a restructure that led to one of the largest IPOs in corporate history. He joined Aviva as Group Chief Executive Officer in 2013, and refocused and rebuilt its financial strength, growing its market capitalisation from £11 billion to over £20 billion. Listed in the 2017 Debrett’s 500 List as one of the most influential people in finance, Mark is also a champion for sustainable business and is a global commentator on the role of business in society.
Andrea can draw upon more than 25 years of leadership experience at global media and entertainment brands. Most recently, she served as the president of international TV production at Sony, which involved her overseeing 18 production companies and creating nearly 1,300 hours of entertainment each year. Previously, Andrea was the president and CEO at Lifetime Networks where she drove revenue and profit to record levels. Andrea serves on the advisory board of Liberty Media Corporation and a number of other media and entertainment societies and organizations. A graduate of MIT with a degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from Stanford University, Andrea is also a Governor of the British Film Institute and a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Arts.
Jean-Luc brings valuable global healthcare market expertise – including in the field of rehabilitation technology – to MindMaze, having spent three decades representing major US healthcare companies. He provides guidance, support and expertise to boost awareness of, access to, and the affordability of healthcare services. He also provides business model innovation advice, helps to identify and secure new opportunities, and supports strategic thinking, operational efficiencies, and talent management.
An advisor to the board, Simon is a former KPMG chairman who brings a wealth of experience to MindMaze as it develops its technology and expands into new markets. He spent 19 years with KMPG and occupied roles as Global Head of Transactions and Restructuring, Chairman and Senior Partner. Since he exited in 2017, Simon has undertaken various new projects at Chairman and Non-Executive Director level. He also co-founded Gold Collins Associates, an advisory firm that provides specialist support to organisations as they navigate new business environments.