Justin Olshavsky ’16 Receives Roaring10 Award

Justin Olshavsky of Alameda, Calif., is a pioneer and entrepreneur in biomedical technology. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson in 2016, he completed a dual master’s program in bioengineering and translational medicine offered jointly by two University of California institutions, Berkeley and San Francisco.

While in graduate school, he co-founded Voyage Biomedical, a company that developed a novel therapeutic system to limit brain damage in stroke victims. The invention led to patents and awards for product design and medical innovation and to Voyage Biomedical’s acquisition by Penumbra, a global healthcare company. Justin now heads the Pioneer Bio-Health Fund, which he co-founded to lead investments in early stage biotechnology, healthcare and life science companies.

While at Clemson, Justin participated in outreach programs focusing on developing countries and South Carolina communities. As part of the Engineers for Developing Countries program, he worked on a team supporting solar energy generation in Haiti. Through the EMAGINE Engineering program, he visited local middle and high schools to introduce students to the opportunities in science and engineering.

He mentors aspiring entrepreneurs, including Clemson bioengineering students, and is a frequent guest lecturer on entrepreneurship topics. He is also a mentor for Clemson’s Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Brook T. Smith Launchpad, the University’s entrepreneurial hub under the auspices of the president’s office.

He is active in the Northern California Clemson Club and helps to plan and manage football game watch parties in his area.