Victoria, BC, and Newport Beach, CA — April 7, 2025 — StarFish Medical is bringing its flagship executive forum, Medical Device Playbook, back to Newport Beach, California, on May 22, 2025. This invitation-only event arrives at a pivotal moment for MedTech leaders, as regulatory frameworks shift and markets remain unpredictable.

Designed specifically for founders, investors, and senior executives, Playbook provides a rare opportunity to step back from day-to-day demands and engage in candid conversations about scaling, commercialization, and exit strategy in a rapidly evolving environment.

A Forum for Candid Dialogue in MedTech

Medical Device Playbook isn’t your typical industry conference. Rather than polished pitches and rehearsed panels, it creates space for real, unscripted conversations—among people who’ve built companies, raised capital, weathered setbacks, and made the hard decisions that come with growth.

With regulatory frameworks shifting and investor priorities evolving, the year ahead presents a mix of volatility and opportunity. Playbook is here to help MedTech leaders navigate that uncertainty—drawing insight from those actively operating at the front lines of the industry.

That commitment to candor is what drew industry icon Manny Villafaña, founder of St. Jude Medical, to a past Playbook event—an experience he described as “one of the most educational” of his career.

This year’s program will explore how MedTech companies can respond to a rapidly changing environment—adapting to regulatory shifts, realigning with market expectations, and positioning for sustainable growth or strategic exit.

Featured Speakers

The 2025 speaker roster reflects the diversity of challenges—and the creativity of solutions—facing the MedTech sector:

• Steve Kern, Executive Director, Global Health Labs – on building global partnerships with real-world impact
• CL Tian, CEO & Co-Founder, Phiex Technologies – on transforming sterilization through innovation
• Karthik Ranganathan, VP, Business Excellence, BD – on what billion-dollar acquirers really look for
• Tonya Porter, President, Regulatory Scientist Inc. – on interpreting FDA shifts and staying strategic
• Eric Olson, Director of Design, StarFish Medical – on how design research drives commercialization
• Mike Hill, Managing Director, Octane Capital Markets – on where smart money is going in 2025

Grounded in Experience: Stories Behind the Success

Playbook’s reputation is built on substance over polish. Founders and executives don’t come to deliver presentations—they come to share what really happened. The hard choices. The turning points. The lessons earned through experience, not theory.

In past years, attendees have heard from leaders like Amr Salahieh (Shifamed), who detailed how a venture studio model became a platform for serial innovation; Lishan Aklog (PAVmed), who spoke candidly about balancing public company pressures with entrepreneurial intent; and Daniel Hétu (Lumira Ventures), who unpacked the realities of investment decision-making in turbulent markets.

Other memorable voices include Kevin Chaplin (Kardium), on navigating the complexity of scaling a Class III device globally; Ray Muzyka (ThresholdImpact, BioWare), on bringing an ethical framework to MedTech entrepreneurship; and Manny Villafaña, whose reflections on perseverance and legacy continue to resonate with founders building for the long haul.

Attendance is limited to MedTech founders, investors, and senior executives who meet specific invitation criteria. To request an invitation or learn more, visit: starfishmedical.com/medical-device-playbook-newport-beach-2025/

Sponsorship Opportunities

Organizations seeking meaningful visibility among high-growth MedTech leaders can explore tailored sponsorship opportunities. Download the 2025 Sponsorship Prospectus or contact Patrick Dean, Director of Marketing at StarFish Medical.

Presenter Bios: