2026 Venture Panelists
Dave Amerson
Serial Entrepreneur/Investor, Various Boards
David R. Amerson, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Neotract. He guided NeoTract through FDA-Approval, Reimbursement and Commercial Acceleration. The company was successfully acquired by Teleflex in 2017 for $1.1 billion. Mr. Amerson’s current board experience includes ProVerum Medical, MoxiMed Medical, Intrinsic Therapeutics, Calyxo Medical, Amber Therapeutics, and The Urology Care Foundation. Additionally, he has had significant involvement in over $3.2 billion in medical device transactions, including Palette Life Sciences and Relievant Medical.
Jaideep (Jai) Rajput
Corporate Development Manager, Cook Medical
Jaideep Rajput is a Corporate Development and strategic investment leader in the medical device industry with deep expertise in urology and surgical innovation. He focuses on identifying and executing investments that align emerging technologies with long-term portfolio strategy. His experience spans minority growth investments, structured financings, distribution partnerships, and acquisition pathways designed to create both strategic and financial value. With a background in engineering, finance, and IP strategy, Jaideep evaluates opportunities through a lens of clinical impact, reimbursement durability, and scalable commercialization. He is passionate about helping founders navigate the intersection of capital, strategy, and operational execution.
Craig Smith, JD, BS
Senior Director, Venture Capital, Boston Scientific
Corporate Venture Capital professional at Boston Scientific. Source, structure, negotiate, execute, and manage venture investments to maximize strategic interests and financial returns for BSC. Work closely with divisional and corporate subject matter experts, as well as divisional Business Development leadership, to ensure investments are investment grade and a divisional strategic fit. After several years at a large Boston law firm focusing on M&A, VC, capital markets, and corporate and SEC compliance, I moved to the BSC in-house legal department covering divisional and corporate matters with a focus on M&A and VC. Over three years ago moved into the corporate venture capital role within the business development function.