People

João Ribas

novoholdings.com

João Ribas serves as Booster’s interimCBO and board member. Novo’s current own biography identifies Partner inSeedInvestments, joined2018, and company-building/interimoperating experience. He previously worked atM Ventures and earned a CoimbraPhD with HarvardMedicalSchool/Brighamresearch. The2024BoosterPrincipal label is historical; currentPartner follows own managerdirectory. João Ribas joined Seed Investments in 2018, focusing on early-stage investments and venture creation. He currently holds several board positions and has led investments in companies like Asgard Therapeutics, Tribune Therapeutics, and Orbis Medicines. João often combines his investment role with interim operational responsibilities in portfolio companies. Prior to Novo Holdings, he was a Fellow at M Ventures (corporate VC of Merck KGaA), involved in the entire investment process including deal sourcing, investment selection, and due diligence. Before this, João founded new ventures in the U.S. and Europe, earning several entrepreneurial awards. During his Ph.D., he was part of MIT Hacking Medicine and led a non-profit organization in the U.S. João earned his Ph.D. from the University of Coimbra, conducting research at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He regularly creates content on biotech innovation, venture creation, and entrepreneurship.