What does the Zulu word “ubuntu” have to do with a successful science and tech fund at Maryland’s TEDCO? To start, it’s been a guiding force for that fund’s leader.
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) has an important mission in Maryland: “enhance economic empowerment by fostering an inclusive and entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. Identify, invest in, and help grow technology companies in Maryland.”
As the Executive Director of TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), Dr. Arti Santhanam plays a key role in delivering on that mission. She leads the MII fund investing in commercialization and start-up science and tech companies spun out of five participating universities: Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland’s College Park, Baltimore and Baltimore County campuses. Established in 2012, MII has invested $47.5M that has resulted in 144 startups, $692M in follow-on funding and 7 exits to date.
Dr. Santhanam knows that success would not occur without collaboration, one of the core values at TEDCO. For her, collaboration brings to mind the word “ubuntu.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu defined the Zulu word “ubuntu” as “My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours.” In the simplest terms, Ubuntu means “I am because we are.”
Ubuntu is much more than just a word—it’s a philosophy, a world view, and a framework for how we relate to and work with others. While the concept of ubuntu has spiritual connotations, it has practical applications as well. As a socio-economic ideology, ubuntu encourages equity and equality as a means of generating shared wealth, promotes collective responsibility for the greater good, and fosters appreciation for each individual’s unique talents.
At TEDCO and within the MII program, ubuntu manifests itself primarily in the core value of collaboration: “We focus on building trust and credibility across the organization and with our customers. We are transparent in the exchange of ideas and our encouragement of one another. We value teamwork in our pursuit of supporting innovation and entrepreneurial excellence.” Driven by this value, we embody ubuntu both internally and in our service to Maryland’s diverse entrepreneurial community.
TEDCO has worked hard to knit together an entrepreneurial ecosystem that connects like-minded entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, academics, legislators, and business leaders from all corners of the state. They weave together a diversity of thought, variety of skills, and myriad needs of Marylanders to build a vibrant tech-based entrepreneurial community that’s consistently ranked in the top five in the United States.
A Childhood Illness Shapes a Career Path
Dr. Santhanam’s journey to becoming both a scientist and a visionary tech leader began as a girl in her native India, when she was diagnosed with a childhood cancer.
An insightful doctor near her village in India understood she needed special care; based on his advice, young Arti spent a portion of her childhood traveling 2 hours by bus from her village home to a city hospital that had the resources to treat her. She had many interactions which helped her understand both the disease and how important it was for her to be in a space with the best treatments available in her region.
A wonderful, influential science teacher also made her want to be a scientist. The teacher’s passion for the topic and Santhanam’s own experience surviving childhood cancer inspired her to work in this space of scientific discovery very early on.
A PhD in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers University in New Jersey followed a Master of Science in clinical biochemistry from the University of Madras in India. After completing a postdoctoral study at the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Santhanam worked as a senior scientist and subject matter expert for MITRE Corporation and later for her own consulting firm, collaborating with partners at DOD to address global health concerns. She then joined TEDCO where, prior to taking the helm as executive director of MII, she served in a number of capacities, including that of investment analyst for the Maryland Venture Fund and director for the Life Science Investment Fund.
MII proved to be the perfect fit for Dr. Santhanam’s many skills. She could see ground-breaking science and tech happening at institutions where they weren’t thinking about getting it to market. At the same time, there were patients desperately hoping to access those discoveries for themselves or their families. She saw the solution.
“As someone who had been both a patient and a scientist, I knew both sides. I have always been passionate about bringing affordable healthcare to all and accelerating innovative solutions from bench to bedside; my work at MII does just that,” said Dr. Santhanam.
Exceling in Leadership across Maryland
In order to fund ground-breaking research to treat Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, Dr. Santhanam founded the METAvivor research program while serving on the board of directors of the Annapolis-based non-profit advocacy organization, METAvivor Research and Support, Inc. METAvivor was chosen as one of the top patient-run research programs in Vice President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative and has so far been granted over $7.8M in research grants.
She also participates in Leadership Maryland ’20, the Maryland Energy Innovation Program (MEI2) investment committee, the Maryland Governor’s Life Science Advisory Board (LSAB), and SpringBoard Enterprises’ Women’s Health initiative. She participates actively in both the ADVAmed Business Development working group and the Women in Bio-Capital Region chapter.
An Overview of TEDCO and MII
TEDCO (Maryland Technology Development Corporation) is an independent instrumentality of the State of Maryland, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and support their growth in all regions of the state. Through its various programs and funds, TEDCO is driving innovation to market in Maryland and contributing to the state’s robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
TEDCO offers the contacts, money, and tools that early-stage technology and life sciences businesses require to succeed in Maryland. The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) was established to support the transfer of cutting-edge innovations from institutions that qualify, where they were discovered, to the business sector, where they might be developed into goods and services that address identified market needs.
The program specifically promotes the commercialization of such technologies through market analysis, technological validation, and the establishment of start-up businesses in Maryland that are based on technologies from accredited universities. The company achieves this through partnerships with additional research companies in Maryland as well as with numerous schools, departments, and institutes within the universities. Through the two stages of the program—Technology Assessment and Company Formation—MII provides up to $265,000 for each startup.
Passion and Mentorship Is Central
In addition to leading the MII team, Dr. Santhanam collaborates with colleagues from TEDCO, the five partner universities, the public and private sectors, and university-based innovators to commercialize their discoveries.
In striving to be the best leader she can be, Dr. Santhanam cites the importance of not losing her passion for the work at the heart of the MII program—and how she keeps that going.
“I continue to grow and develop as a leader by holding onto my passion; it is essential,” says Dr. Santhanam. “One key way to do that is interacting with young people, from post-docs and young scientists to middle and high school students. They have a growth mentality, they see the possibilities, and their spirit helps keep me grounded and focused on the essential work we do at MII.”
Collaboration and Joy In And Outside Work
Dr. Santhanam strives to be an evolving and collaborative leader and colleague. She offers her team both structure and also room to share different viewpoints. One goal is to hire happy people who bring diverse thoughts and ideas to the organization, so they can always be learning from each other.
She has the same mindset outside of work, where she is open to learning and ready to engage. Dr. Santhanam enjoys both her work and family fun at home, including time with her middle school daughter, her dog and outside in the yard.
“My gardening also gives me joy—I am currently tending a thriving watermelon; it’s growth is proof of the fruits of my labor. I’m very proud of it!”
Dealing with Bias in the Workplace
The biggest challenge throughout Santhanam’s career is dealing with others’ bias. What that looks like for her: when she enters a meeting, people look at her, and decide to put her in boxes based on her gender, ethnicity or accent. They seem to forget that she’s in the room for a reason: her professional capabilities and credentials. She’d like people to focus on that—and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to share their insights on the topic at hand.
“While it’s good to be in the room, it’s just as important that everyone in the room has the opportunity to speak and be heard. It’s something I work to do for others, and I’d like the same respect shown to me and all the other people put in boxes that have nothing to do with their qualifications. This happens in India as well as the U.S., and it’s something that needs to change,” says Dr. Santhanam.
Important Attributes for Current and Future Leaders
Dr. Santhanam believes that successful leaders maintain their passion; they don’t lose sight of why they started this work in the first place. Mentoring young people is a wonderful way to both support another person’s professional goals and renew a leader’s own energy and passion. The mentee’s enthusiasm is contagious—and they are often less cynical than more seasoned professionals.
She has important advice for the next generation of female leaders: “It’s key to know when to say yes and when to say no. Say yes to important opportunities, but also know when to say no. If something makes me uncomfortable or I feel I’m being over-extended, that’s when I say no. My time is precious; we all need to make sure we can handle what is on our plate before we add more.”
That plate this fall may just include a slice of watermelon from Arti Santhanam’s garden!
Written by Steve Sanchez.
