IEEE Foundation

Ramphis Castro

Co-Founder of ScienceVest and Impact Science Angels

Ramphis Castro

Co-Founder of ScienceVest and Impact Science Angels
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Biography

Ramphis is the co-founder of ScienceVest, a YC-backed investor marketplace for science-tech and life science companies, and Impact Science Angels, an angel group focused on investing in companies that can impact 1MM+ lives.  He is also a Kauffman Fellow, a community of over 400 innovation investors worldwide representing 160 venture firms and corporate venture groups in 26 countries on 6 continents, collectively deploying $50B in venture capital. He is the Co-Chair the NYC chapter of the Society. As a Fellow, he has researched the funding gaps for radical science companies in the U.S., collecting interviews of over 200 stakeholders across the research & commercialization ecosystem in the U.S.
As an individual, he has worked extensively in creating a full-stack startup ecosystem acceleration & support roadmap that deploys programs facilitating experiential education to all stakeholders in a country. From entrepreneurs to emerging managers in the venture industry, Ramphis has supported ecosystem growth in dozens of countries around the world. Most recently, he successfully executed the first Startup Weekend in Cuba. In 2016, upon invitation of the White House, Ramphis was part of the US delegation with President Obama on his historic visit to Cuba.
As a long time Global Facilitator for UP Global Techstars, a global organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, grassroots leadership, and strong communities, he has helped train hundreds of academics and lean startup instructors around the world on the principles and practices used for the Lean Launch Pad and iCorp programs. He serves as Adjunct for the New York City Regional Innovation Node’s I-Corp Program.
He has served as policy adviser on entrepreneurship, technology, and economic development policy to leaders in Puerto Rico, Norway, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Guatemala, among others.
As an entrepreneur, he has launched and successfully commercialized intellectual property now used across multiple industries around the world. His background includes undergraduate studies in computer engineering, a Juris Doctor with a focus on AI and robotics law, and graduate studies in public policy, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship education. He is an NCEES licensed Professional Engineer (Computer Engineering).