Radiologists launch AI investment fund

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Bold Brain Ventures is an international investment fund that brings together radiologists, innovators, and capital in a collaborative approach to AI. The fund opened in Q4 of 2018 in Pittsburgh.

The fund’s strategy is to invest in a diversified portfolio of approximately 20 AI companies with solutions in radiology. Bold Brain Ventures is targeting a $25 million fund with a first close of $1 million and a maximum size of $100 million.

Bold Brain Ventures is the first and only fund with radiologists as the key investors, managers, and advisors. It also aims to connect radiologists from around the world with AI startups, who are seeking expertise in areas such as product/market fit.

Radiology practice groups, high net-worth individuals, angel investors, financial institutions, and venture capitalists can also invest.

The co-founders and managing partners, Robin Prasad (pictured on left), MD, MS, MBA and Tom Deur (pictured on right), MD, are practicing radiologists with investment expertise.

Paige Creo, MBA is the vice president of strategy & marketing. The fund has experienced advisors across radiology, artificial intelligence, and investment sectors: Paul Berger, MD, and Yvonne W. Lui, MD; Joe Marks, PhD; Kelly Szejko; Mark Weiss, MD.

Dr. Tom Deur said, “Machine learning algorithms have the potential to improve patient care and the healthcare system. Engaging radiologists in responsible AI development is essential.”

Dr. Robin Prasad commented, “AI is taking off at an explosive rate, and radiology is at the leading edge of this. It is incredible for radiologists to be able to invest in their own domain of expertise and help pioneer these advancements. That is why we started Bold Brain Ventures.”

For his part, Dr. Prasad is a board-certified radiologist with fellowship training in MRI and Neuroradiology. He has over 17 years of experience as a radiologist and has worked in a variety of clinical environments. In 2010, Dr. Prasad co-founded Lexington Radiology Inc., and as Chairman, helped lead the transformation of a troubled department into the highest rated service line in the hospital.

Dr. Prasad completed his medical training and a Master of Science in biomedical engineering at McGill University. He has been a member of Blue Tree Allied Angels for nearly a decade. He is also a member of the Pittsburgh Venture Capital Association and a member of Pittsburgh South Side Chamber of Commerce. These affiliations have allowed him to assess hundreds of early stage companies.

Dr. Tomislav Deur (Tom) is a board-certified radiologist currently working at UPMC Altoona. He has over 17 years of radiology experience working in various clinical settings ranging from urban and rural hospital settings to practicing teleradiology from Australia and Europe.

He completed his internal medicine radiology internship at Staten Island University, and his radiology residency and interventional/vascular radiology fellowship at New York University.

Dr. Deur has a passion for entrepreneurship, and he recently received a Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 (SBIR) grant for the development of a vascular access device for hemodialysis patients. This prestigious grant is awarded through the National Science Foundation to further research on technological innovations that may benefit society. Dr. Deur currently has multiple patent pending applications for vascular devices.

To learn more about the opportunity, visit www.boldbrainventures.com or contact the management team at info@boldbrainventures.com.