Santosh Iyer (MBA 2020) is originally from Toronto, Canada, where he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Today, he serves as a Venture Partner at Heinz Ventures LLC and as the Founder & CEO of Moonshot, a platform dedicated to revolutionizing health care innovation through experiential learning.

Autonomous surgical robots, health care artificial intelligence, targeted therapeutics, and AR/VR surgery—what was once science fiction now helps doctors perform procedures with precision and consistency far beyond human capability. I focus on commercializing science and building businesses around these transformative technologies to democratize access to high-quality surgical care for billions worldwide.

My fascination with robotics and medicine began with a high school science fair project, where I used LEGOs to build an intelligently actuated tool for precision brain biopsy. Inspired by cutting-edge research at Johns Hopkins University, where surgeons used tele-operated robotic instruments for minimally invasive neurosurgery, I realized how engineering could solve complex medical challenges. That experience sparked my lifelong passion for innovation and led me to create Moonshot, a platform that gives high school students hands-on exposure to medical device design. The Rock Summer Fellowship and Harvard Launch Lab program were key to getting early insights on customers and users, and getting the business model right.

Over time, Moonshot has grown beyond the core high school focus (in partnership with HMS MEDScience @ Harvard Medical School) to engage participants across all levels.

Moonshot inspires innovators at every stage—empowering high school students through hands-on learning, engaging college students in hackathons to tackle real-world challenges, and equipping industry professionals with AI workshops that drive health care innovation. By spanning these levels, Moonshot creates a robust pipeline of talent prepared to address the most pressing issues in medicine.

In parallel with building Moonshot, I’ve worked on some of the most ambitious challenges in medtech. My graduate studies in biomedical engineering equipped me with a deep understanding of robotics, cellular biology, and computer science, which allowed me to develop motion control and guidance algorithms for surgical robots operating on beating hearts (Johnson & Johnson MedTech) and inside lungs (Intuitive).

This technical foundation gave me the ability to collaborate seamlessly with engineers, clinicians, and executives, bridging the gap between technology and medicine.

At Harvard Business School, I expanded on this foundation with expertise in marketing, finance, strategy, and leadership. Combining my technical and business training, I’ve been able to pursue real-life health care moonshots—de-risking technical and commercial milestones, achieving product-market fit, and scaling innovative solutions that impact patient care.

If I had had the opportunity to enroll in the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program at Harvard, I would have done so without hesitation. This program equips students with the rare ability to navigate and lead across clinical, engineering, and business domains—skills that are crucial during the ideation and growth phases of any life sciences venture. With this combined expertise, graduates become indispensable cross-functional leaders, balancing the needs of stakeholders from the lab bench to the boardroom. Without both an MS and an MBA, it would have been far more challenging for me to transition into entrepreneurship and venture capital roles.

As a Venture Partner at Heinz Ventures LLC, I apply my multidisciplinary background to identifying and commercializing paradigm-shifting technologies in early-stage medtech and healthtech. My approach emphasizes unconventional thinking and uncovering value where others might see obstacles. I focus on enabling transformative solutions that redefine the boundaries of health care innovation by: Integrating technical and business insights to evaluate opportunities from all angles. De-risking ventures by addressing technical, regulatory, and commercial hurdles early. Uncovering overlooked opportunities through non-traditional market and technology insights. Building strategic partnerships with academic, clinical, and industry leaders. Streamlining go-to-market plans to align technology with clinical and commercial needs.

This focused approach allows me to guide startups in creating scalable, impactful solutions in health care.

Students in the MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences Program are uniquely positioned to steward ventures from benchtop to patient. This truly transformative program empowers aspiring leaders to address the most complex problems in health care and make a lasting impact on society. If you’re considering this path, it’s a decision that will set you up to lead, innovate, and create the future of medicine.

The article first appeared on the MBA Voices blog