Redwood Innovation Partners, LLC

Mission:

Redwood is a consulting and advisory firm committed to accelerating scientific and engineering based innovation in the selected fields of advanced functional materials, energy, life sciences, innovative water treatment technologies, and renewable technologies.

 

Founding Partners:

 

Redwood’s three managing partners have:

  • An extraordinary track record of creating and capturing value through innovation in corporate, public and non-profit settings.  Noteworthy individual accomplishments include over 100 granted US patents, 85 technical and peer-reviewed publications, and several prestigious awards. such as R&D 100 awards and Presidential Green Chemistry Award.
  • Led innovation efforts which generated over $1 billion of new product / services revenue in markets as diverse as optical coatings, green chemicals, energy, electronics, water treatment technologies and pharmaceuticals.
  • Served as principal advisors and board members to organizations ranging from start-up technology companies to venture capital funds, Fortune 500 companies, academic centers, the National Academies, and the U.S. Military.
  • Over 100 years of combined innovation experience in senior roles and a proven track record of developing numerous high growth markets and facilitating spin outs from early stage technologies.
  • Extensive experience managing complex and cutting edge R&D portfolios and programs, including DARPA programs, pre-clinical research platforms, and prototyping , that have reached commercial viability.
  • Trained as a Medical Doctor, PhD scientist and PhD engineer and MBA finance.
  • Offices and extensive networks in the innovation hubs of San Diego, CA, Boston, MA and Columbus, OH.

 

Value Proposition:

Redwood provides expert leadership and content for critical, innovation-based, opportunities on a timely, variable cost basis.  Our expertise and network spans major growth markets, potential alliance partners, and leading research and innovation centers and institutions in the United States and Asia.

 

Services:

  • R&D and innovation strategy.
  • Open innovation:
    • Creation and management of purpose built innovation networks
    • Protocols for evaluating and testing new, networked, innovation tools—Crowdsourcing, Crowdfunding, Social Entrepreneurship.
    • New product development – spanning the continuum from ideation to laboratory based development
      • Transformation of basic research into product opportunities.
      • Management of Technology and Product development portfolios and major programs including risk mitigation.
      • Development team recruitment and coaching.
      • Commercialization strategy including:
        • Market analysis, business plans and financing options.
        • Marketing plans, partnering, pricing strategy, contacts and sales channel.
        • Design of laboratory, pilot and demonstration scale evaluations.
        • Technology and IP diligence and gap analysis including market analysis and white space identification, operating capabilities, market assessment, competitive analysis and growth and profitability opportunity.
        • Value engineering including component design and material selection to improve product performance and reliability.

 

 Profiles:

 

  • Robert (Rob) Carnes, MD –

 

  • BS, University of California, M.D., University of Southern California, Board Certified, Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Harvard Medical School/Mass General.
  • Former Program Manager, DARPA (DoD).
  • Former Chairman and Program Director, Anesthesiology.
  • Former Director of Surgical Services.
  • Former co-director of a Level 1 Trauma Unit.
  • Former Director of Internal R&D, Battelle Memorial Institute.
  • Former senior VP, biotech consulting

 

  • James (Jim) Sonnett, PhD –

 

  • BS, University of Virginia, MS, University of Massachusetts, PhD, University of Delaware, all in chemical engineering
  • Former Vice President – Science and Technology, Battelle Health & Life Sciences
  • Former R&D Leader – W. L. Gore & Associates
  • Built and led high impact innovation organizations in aerospace, electronics, and life sciences
  • Former Board Member – Velocys, Ventaira, Battelle Ventures
  • Adjunct professor – Ohio State University Fisher School of Business

 

  • Bhima Vijayendran, PhD, MBA –

 

  • BS, University of Madras, MS, University of Madras, PhD, University of Southern California in Polymer and Surface Science, MBA, University of New Haven
  • Former Senior Research Leader and Vice President Business Development, Battelle Memorial Institute; Chief Research Officer, Battelle Science and Technology, Malaysia
  • Director, Discovery Research, PPG Industries
  • Recognized as one of the leading authorities on advanced materials, special chemical and polymer systems in numerous markets including: Renewable and clean technology, Energy, Nano Technology and Industrial Products.
  • Recipient of six R&D 100 awards and over 100 patents and numerous other awards.

 

  • John McArdle, Chemical Engineer, MBA Finance  (Principal Partner)

 

  • BE, Manhattan College, MS, Northeastern University, Chemical Engineering
  • MBA, Finance, University of Chicago (Booth School of Business)
  • Former Business Development Manager for Water Technologies, Battelle
  • Former  Product Line Manager – Industrial Water, Koch Membrane Systems
  • Former North American Sales Manager, Aquatech Systems, Allied Signal Corporation
  • Recognized expert in water and wastewater treatment technologies with emphasis on membrane filtration including MF, UF, NF, RO and MBR.
  • Successful track record of introducing new water and wastewater treatment products for municipal and industrial customers in a variety of applications in domestic and overseas markets.

 

 

Contact Information:

 

John McArdle – johnm@redwoodinnov.com; 978.427.8475

Jim Sonnett – Jim@Redwdinnov.com; 614.783.9535

Bhima Vijayendran – Bhima@Redwdinnov.com ; 760.331.3274