Blake Hanan, Venture Associate

Professional Overview

Blake Hanan is a versatile Venture Associate with a diverse background in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and research. With a strong focus on the life sciences and technology sectors, he leverages his analytical skills, industry knowledge, and collaborative approach to support early-stage startups and drive innovation.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

Venture Associate, Pillar VC (2024-10-01 to Present)

• Evaluates investment opportunities, conducts market research, and supports portfolio companies' growth strategies

• Collaborates with the investment team to source, diligence, and execute early-stage investments

• Provides operational and strategic guidance to portfolio companies, leveraging expertise in business development, fundraising, and scaling

Co-Managing Director (Boston), Nucleate (2024-06-01 to Present)

• Oversees the Boston chapter of Nucleate, a leading biotech accelerator program

• Curates and mentors a diverse cohort of founders, guiding them through the program's curriculum and connecting them with industry experts

• Fosters a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry stakeholders to drive the growth of Boston's biotech ecosystem

Maker Studio Manager, Harvard Innovation Labs (2022-08-01 to Present)

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the Maker Studio, a state-of-the-art fabrication facility at Harvard Innovation Labs

• Supports student entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators in prototyping and developing their projects

• Coordinates hands-on workshops and training sessions to foster a culture of creativity and experimentation

Graduate Research Assistant, Wyss Institute at Harvard University (2022-08-01 to Present)

• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams on innovative research projects in the life sciences

• Contributes to the development of novel biotechnologies, leveraging expertise in synthetic biology and materials science

• Publishes research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presents at scientific conferences

Career Progression

Prior to his current roles, Blake held positions at Arkitekt Ventures as a Venture Fellow, at Nucleate as a Strategy and Operations lead, and at Locust Walk as a Summer Analyst. He also gained valuable research experience as a Graduate Student Researcher at Vanderbilt University and as an Undergraduate Student Researcher at Vanderbilt's SyBBURE Searle Research Program.

Academic Background

Blake holds a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, where he specialized in synthetic biology and medical device development. He also earned a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt, graduating with Honors.

Areas of Expertise

• Venture capital and early-stage investing in life sciences and technology

• Startup operations, business development, and scaling

• Synthetic biology, materials science, and biotechnology research

• Project management, team coordination, and stakeholder engagement

• Entrepreneurial ecosystem building and community development

Professional Impact

• Spearheaded the launch of the Boston chapter of Nucleate, a premier biotech accelerator, and grew the local program to support over 50 founders

• Contributed to the development of novel biosensing technologies during his research at the Wyss Institute, leading to multiple peer-reviewed publications

• Leveraged his technical expertise and entrepreneurial mindset to support student innovators at the Harvard Innovation Labs Maker Studio, helping them bring their ideas to life

Conclusion

With his diverse experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and research, Blake Hanan is poised to make a lasting impact on the life sciences and technology sectors. As a Venture Associate at Pillar VC, he is committed to driving innovation and supporting the growth of early-stage startups. Blake's blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and collaborative approach positions him as a valuable asset to the companies and communities he serves.