SynBioBeta 2026 Speaker

James Joaquin

Obvious Ventures

Co-founder & Mng Director

James invests early in breakthrough technologies that move humanity forward. Heโ€™s passionate about the responsible use of AI to solve the unsolvable across trillion-dollar industries.As a co-founder at Obvious, he has led investments for the firm that span advanced materials (Diamond Foundry), plant-based protein (Beyond Meat), and labor marketplaces (Incredible Health).As an experienced startup operator, James served as President and CEO of Xoom.com (IPO). He was previously President and CEO of Ofoto from its early beginnings through acquisition by Kodak, leading its growth into the worldโ€™s largest online photo service. James also co-founded When.com, an Internet calendar and events service (acquired by AOL). He began his entrepreneurial career while studying computer science at Brown University, co-founding Clearview Software which was acquired by Apple, where he spent six years in engineering and marketing roles.James grew up in a Portuguese fishing community in southeastern Massachusetts. He is a drummer, sailor, puzzler, and master of puns.

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Blue watercolor illustration of a folded protein structure
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Blue watercolor splatter
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Reagan

Jarvis

Anocca AB

CEO, Co-founder

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Alex

Rives

CZI Biohub

Head of Science

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Karenโ€ฏ

Akinsanya

Schrodinger

President, R&D โ€“ Therapeutics

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Christopher

Arendt

Takeda

CSO, Head of Research

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Stef

van Grieken

Cradle

CEO

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Michael

Koeris

DARPA

Director, BTO

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Jennifer

Dionne

Pumpkinseed

CEO

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Daniyal

Hussain

GSK

Exec. Dir., Tech BD

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Cynthia

Hong

Novartis

Dir., Search & Evaluation

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Sarah Lynn

Tao

CSL Behring

Sr. Dir., S&E; Ig TA & Tech Lead

Blue watercolor illustration of a folded protein structure
Blue watercolor illustration of a folded protein structure
Blue watercolor illustration of a folded protein structure
Blue watercolor illustration of a folded protein structure
Blue watercolor illustration of a folded protein structure

SynBioBeta 2027 May 3-6, San Jose, California