Team

Management Team

Sam C Tetlow, MBA

Founder, CEO

“Grant Engine was started to save lives. I’ve been dedicated to this mission for most of my life and the team at Grant Engine is furthering this mission every day. We accomplish this mission with our clients by winning grants through key differentiators, including a deeply experienced and expert team, a proprietary approach to external review of our grants, and primary research on what wins and loses grants.

We selectively work with clients to secure funding for their products. Through our process of writing the grant, and the resulting funding, we improve the likelihood that a product will enter the market and advance the standard of care for patients. Reach out to us to see how we can support your vision.”

Madhav Sankunny, PhD

VP, Program Management

“Grant Engine, believes in being a partner to small businesses in their journey towards securing non-dilutive funding. We are invested in the success of our clients since ‘we win only when you win’. We pride ourselves in delivering a bespoke experience to each client based on their unique needs. To achieve this goal, we have an exceptionally talented team with diverse expertise that work towards a single-minded objective of securing funding for our clients.

At Grant Engine, we value the shared experience of our team and draw from it to provide solutions to unique problems faced by our clients. Working with inspired and driven entrepreneurs, and the ability to help cutting edge technology move to the market is my motivation to keep going every day.”

Kristin Scott, PhD

VP, Research

“Grant Engine is in the business of scientists helping scientists to secure funding. We apply our many decades of experience in grant funding, product development, and research to secure funding for our client’s products. Once we understand and appreciate the uniqueness and differentiating qualities of our clients products, we engage to craft a compelling story that resonates with the funding agency and reviewers.

We invest time and resources to learn what wins and loses grants and apply that knowledge to our team for the benefit of our clients projects. It’s a privilege to work with our clients and exciting to help build the next generation of products for the benefit of patients!”

Chris Brasfield

Head of Finance & Operations

“Grant Engine Accounting helps clients understand how to navigate everything in the post-award world from accessing funds to preparing for an audit. We are passionate about the systems these awards require and are dedicated to tailoring an approach that functions within the confines of each small business we work with. From setting up your accounting system from scratch, to simply plugging in a compliance system to your existing departments, we offer options that fit a range of needs.”

Sam C Tetlow, MBA

Sam C Tetlow, MBA

Founder, CEO

Sam Tetlow is Founder & CEO of Grant Engine. Grant Engine has a proven model of delivering funding to leading life science companies through the NIH SBIR program as well as DARPA, BARDA and other DoD sources. Sam has successful experience as an entrepreneur and investor in life sciences companies such as EpiCypher (named best University Startup of 2016 by U.S. Congress), ILS Genomics, Immunologix, Gentris Corporation, and Tranzyme Pharma among others. As a leader within companies Sam has a functional focus on product development, sales, finance and corporate development. Sam continues to build on his venture capital experience by investing into compelling companies as an Angel. Sam seeks results and has a proven track record of generating operational and financials results that exceed investor expectations generated from traditional asset classes. Sam holds a MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School (Beta Gamma Sigma, 2003) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Honors, 1993). He is a former triathlete and an avid proponent of doing good while doing well.

Madhav Sankunny, PhD

Madhav Sankunny, PhD

VP, Program Management

Madhav Sankunny is the Vice President of Program Management at Grant Engine. He earned his PhD in Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh following which moved to The Cleveland Clinic for his post-doctoral training. He switched career tracks and worked in technology development at the Office of Strategic Alliance and Technology Development at The Cleveland Clinic. He supported the spin out of three companies surrounding Cleveland Clinic technology and got them funded through the SBIR/STTR mechanism. In his role as VP of Program Management, he handles both technical and administrative duties including managing the delivery team in assisting clients pursue non-dilutive funds, providing strategic insights to potential clients on their best opportunity for non-dilutive funding and providing training on various aspects of non-dilutive funding.

Kristin Scott, PhD

Kristin Scott, PhD

VP, Research

Kristin Scott, PhD is the Vice President of Research at Grant Engine. Dr. Scott excels at positioning your technology to align with the funding body’s priorities and writing a proposal that is clear, concise, and compelling. She supports our Lead Writers with training in narrative writing, rhetoric, and scientific communication to effectively communicate your research and development goals to review panels. She also leads internal original research at Grant Engine, focused on developing novel algorithms that predict proposal success. Dr. Scott earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa. With support from the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund she completed postdoctoral training at the Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit in Edinburgh, Scotland and the Department of Genetics at Case Western Reserve University. She joined the faculty at Duke University in 2008 leading her own laboratory, first at the Duke Institute for Genomic Sciences & Policy, and later as a member of the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.

Chris Brasfield

Chris Brasfield

Head of Finance & Operations

Chris Brasfield is the Head of Finance & Operations at Grant Engine and owner of Brasfield Accounting. Chris has over 15 years’ experience in all aspects of Grants Management and Grant Accounting including annual audits and indirect rate negotiations. He brings value to Grant Engine clients through his expertise as an experienced accounting professional and entrepreneur with a demonstrated history of working in the biotechnology industry. Chris is skilled in Operations Management, Biotechnology, Business Development, Management, Life Sciences, and Grant Administration. He earned his MS in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University.

Product Funding Team

Simon Cox

Simon Cox

Product Funding Executive

Working for Grant Engine is a privilege. The expertise within the company is second to none. And what impresses me most is the honest, open, and supportive culture across all areas. I’ve learned so much and learn more every day. We all have our skills sets and in Grant Engine, the whole organisation is pulling in the same direction … to get you, our client a win.

As Product Funding Executive my role is to facilitate the review of your technology through contracting and seamlessly hand over to the Grant Engine delivery teams. I’ve taken a circuitous route to arrive at Grant Engine, via acting, travel management, and sales coaching. The common denominator has been my pride in listening and exemplary customer satisfaction. So, while facilitating our relationship from first outreach to delivery team, I will be here to assist, advise, and support for your success.

simon@grantengine.com
650-937-9164
Zachary Steen

Zachary Steen

Product Funding Specialist

Typically, I am the first point of contact for you, a prospective new client. I will walk you through Grant Engine’s unique and personalized business model by detailing our process, differentiators, and economics. I look forward to meeting you and working with you. My background is heavily influenced in Biobanking, Pathology, and Cancer Research.

One aspect of this job allows me to meet extraordinary entrepreneurs who truly want to make a difference in the world. I am very thankful to be able to work with such an amazing team! We will go above and beyond to make your experience here at Grant Engine working the best as possible. Please feel free to contact me if you have any question about our services.

zacharysteen@grantengine.com
650-937-9164 (direct)

It's Time to Get Your Funding

If you’re ready to get serious about winning non-dilutive funding, we’re ready to make that goal a reality. Contact us directly by emailing GreatScience@GrantEngine.com or call us at (650) 937-9164.

 

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