HBS Alumni–Hosted | Deep Tech Investing, VC Education & Startup Traction

When
Thursday, February 5, 2026
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET

Where
Microsoft New England Research and Development Center
1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02142

Deep tech ventures are transforming industries—from AI and biotech to advanced materials and quantum systems—but early-stage investing in these domains requires more than capital. It demands technical literacy, long-term thinking, and trusted networks.

Hosted by the HBS Association of Boston in collaboration with TopContenders Network, this program brings together HBS alumni, investors, founders, and innovation leaders to explore how deep tech ideas evolve from lab to market—and how venture education empowers investors to build conviction around complex technologies.

Mark Zheng, CEO of MZ Services, will open the evening with a keynote on DeepTech and AI investing, followed by a panel of startup founders building real traction across AI-enabled biotech and life sciences.

💡 This is not a demo day.
It’s a conversation-driven forum designed for thoughtful investors and builders who want to go beyond hype.

• Understand the Deep Tech Landscape
  How AI, biotech, and frontier technologies are reshaping industries
• Build Practical VC Judgment
  How investors evaluate risk, timing, and execution in complex technologies
• See Real Startup Traction
  Hear directly from founders translating science into market impact
• Bridge Theory & Practice
  Connect venture education with real-world deal flow and investor decision-making
• Expand a High-Caliber Network
  Engage in thoughtful conversations with HBS alumni, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders shaping Boston’s deep-tech ecosystem

• 6:00–6:20 PM — Arrival & Networking
• 6:20–7:00 PM — Opening Keynote: Deep Tech & AI Investing (Mark Zheng)
• 7:00–8:00 PM — Founder Panel + Moderated Q&A
• 8:00–8:30 PM — Networking & Small-Group Conversations

Mark Zheng — CEO, MZ Services
Founder of the TopContenders Network and co-founder of the Boston AI Forum. As a Strategic Partner of Venture University, Mark bridges venture education with real-world deal flow, focusing on AI, biotech, and deep-tech ecosystems.

Aaron Edwards — Co-Founder & CEO, KiraGen Bio
Leads KiraGen Bio, engineering AI-designed, multiplex-edited CAR-T cells for durable responses in solid tumors, starting with glioblastoma.

Dr. Louise Liu — Biostatistician, Hill Research
Leads Hill Research, developing generative AI systems to accelerate clinical trials and improve regulatory success using multi-agent LLMs and biomedical knowledge graphs.

Dr. Xiaole Shirley Liu — Co-Founder & CEO, GV20 Therapeutics
World-leading scientist in computational biology, pioneering AI-enabled functional genomics for cancer drug discovery. Author of 200+ publications and recipient of multiple international honors.

• Participate in high-quality, intellectually rigorous discussions
• Connect directly with HBS alumni and accomplished investors
• Learn how experienced VCs build conviction around complex technologies
• Build relationships across academia, startups, and venture capital

📸 Photos and video recordings may be taken during the event and used for promotional purposes.
📝 Program topics, speakers, and schedule are subject to change without prior notice.
⚖️ This event does not constitute investment advice or solicitation. All discussions are for informational and educational purposes only.
🔒 By registering for and attending this event, you consent to the sharing of your registration information with the event organizers and event sponsors for event-related communications and follow-up.

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Host or Publisher Boston Artificial Intelligence Forum (BAI)