Over the past several years, Venture Capital firms have raised large funds and shifted the focus of their investments to larger amounts in larger and more established firms. This left a vacuum in the investment community that Angel investment groups have attempted to fill. Some larger organizations such as Atlas Venture are examining the practice with an eye to being able to contribute smaller amounts to small, start-up companies.

Ankit Mahadevia is an Associate at Atlas Venture, Waltham, MA. Ankit Mahadevia joined Atlas Venture in 2008 and is an Associate in the Life Sciences group.  Previously, Ankit worked on product and business development with the founding team at Arcion Therapeutics, a specialty pharmaceutical company developing topical applications in neuropathic pain. Before Arcion Therapeutics, he held positions in Business Development at Genentech, and at Vanda Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on targeted therapies in psychiatry. He also served clients in the health services sector at McKinsey and Company.  Ankit also has previous experience as a Consultant at Monitor Group, where he supported clients in the biotechnology and medical device industries on strategy, marketing, and business development. He held roles in health policy at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Ankit completed his MD at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and his MBA at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Biology from Northwestern University.

MODERATOR - Robert Adelson
Robert Adelson, partner at Boston firm Engel & Schultz, LLP (www.engelschultz.com) has been a corporate and tax attorney since 1977. He began as an associate at major New York law firms Dewey Ballantine and Weil Gotshal & Manges, before returning home to Boston in 1985 where he has since been a partner in small and medium sized firms. Mr. Adelson's clients are (1) early stage companies, (2) independent consultants, (3) senior executives and key employees, and (4) family businesses. His main practice areas are: Business formation and finance; Commercial contracts, licensing, alliances; Executive employment, stock, options and severance; Trademarks, copyrights; M&A.. He is a frequent speaker and author of articles published by Boston Business Journal, Mass High Tech, Family Business Magazine, Genetic Engineering News and others. A member of the MA and NY bars, he is also Vice-Chairman of the Boston Entrepreneurs Network and a Board member of 128 Innovation Capital Group. He holds degrees from Boston University, B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Northwestern University (Chicago), J.D., Law Review, New York University, LL.M. in Taxation.