BioPathways is a monthly event series, presented by Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and SmartHealth Activator featuring prominent bioentrepreneurs, biotech executives and biotech venture capitalists in a fireside chat. We will also feature a guest biotech startup in a quick pitch. This month we are featuring Kristi Dula, Deputy Director, Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology – DCEO, State of Illinois.

Kristi Dula leads the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology at DCEO. This bureau is responsible for supporting entrepreneurs, innovators, and small businesses by providing information and resources necessary to launch and expand in Illinois.

Prior to her role at DCEO, Dula led network relations at Pritzker Group Venture Capital where she facilitated relationships for the firm’s family of companies and connected them with the firm’s wide network of experts, strategic partners, and potential customers. Dula previously served as a strategic executive focused on the tech sector for Kapow, an online marketplace and corporate event provider, where she developed sales and solution processes to manage the company’s top ten tech accounts, including Adobe, Apple, and Google. Prior to Kapow, Dula was vice president of events and content creation for 1871, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center’s flagship technology incubator.