Joseph Rich, JD, MBA, oversees all governance activities and manages the commercialization grant programs for Innovations. Further, he is a member of the Cleveland Innovation District Team. Mr. Rich has served as a key executive, and Portfolio Manager for the state of Ohio Third Frontier sponsored Ohio BioValidation Fund (OBVF) program since re-joining Cleveland Clinic in 2011. OBVF is an $85 million+ early-stage investment program. He has extensive business development expertise through his involvement in the organization and start-up of numerous financially successful companies. Mr. Rich possesses industry-specific expertise in medical devices, life sciences, venture capital investments and angel financing, joint ventures and other strategic alliances involving technology commercialization. Mr. Rich served as a Board Member and or Corporate Officer for many early-stage companies and led the successful exit of multiple portfolio companies. He also manages the relationships between the boards and executive teams of Cleveland Clinic portfolio companies. Mr. Rich has over 15 years of technology commercialization experience. Prior to Cleveland Clinic, he served in a leadership role for The University of Akron Research Foundation, where he was instrumental in numerous corporate ventures and international deals. He believes in supporting our communities, including having served on the Board of Trustees of The University of Akron after an appointment by the Ohio governor. Mr. Rich received a BS in Biology from John Carroll University, an MBA in Finance from The University of Akron and a JD from The University of Akron.