10 Things You Didn’t Know about Rami Elghandour

CEO, venture capitalist, and technologist Rami Elghandour has had a significant impact in his industry. He is one of the most successful and decorated entrepreneurs and technologist, having built a successful medical technology company. Rami is also a keynote speaker, guest lecturer, and startup advisor. Let's review 10 facts you probably didn't know about him.

1. He Is the Current CEO of Arcellx

Rami currently serves as the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Arcellx. He was appointed in January 2021 and has held the position for one year and two months. About his appointment, Rami said, “I’ve been fortunate in my career to identify disruptive innovations and develop the strategy, people, culture, and execution to maximize their impact” and that he was looking forward to doing the same at Arcellx, Inc. Arcellx is a clinical-stage biotech company based in Redwood City, California, that is working on a treatment for autoimmune disorders and cancer through a new cell therapy platform.

2. He Is the Former CEO of Nevro

Before joining Arcellx, Rami was the CEO and President of Nervo, a company he joined in 2012. During his almost 3-year tenure as CEO, the company grew from a small company with thirty employees to a major player in the market with a team of nearly a thousand. Nevro was recognized for its innovation and diverse team and culture. Additionally, Rami was responsible for raising more than $700 million for the company through public markets, IPO, and venture capital. He was also behind one of the most valuable product launches and revamping the company's marketing strategy. His leadership saw Nevro grow to 15 times its value when he joined the company and a value of more than 300 percent above IPO.

3. He Has Received Several Honors and Awards

Diversity Woman Magazine awarded Rami the Game Changer – Male Ally Award in December 2021 for his impact on supporting and advancing women in technology. According to the magazine, Rami has used his platforms and personal influence as a leader to promote belonging, equality, and equity for women in the industry. In 2019, his former company, Nevro, was ranked 16th on the list of Best Company Outlook. This was during his tenure as CEO, and the vote was cast by an anonymous company employee based on how they felt about the company and how likely they were to recommend it to a friend. Additionally, Rami has received the Bill Campbell "Man Who Gets It" award in November 2018 for his support in trying to increase the number of women leaders in Watermark.

4. He Is a Previous Johnson and Johnson Investor

Before joining Nevro, Rami was a Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) investor. He was in charge of several investments and strategic initiatives, including the Series B Financing for Nevro. It was during this time that he worked with several private companies as a member of the board of directors, lending his expertise on startups.

5. He Is a University of Pennsylvania Alumnus

Rami is a very learned engineer with several degrees from prestigious schools in the country. He got his MBS in Healthcare Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania between 2006 and 2008 and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rutgers University. He graduated from Rutgers in 2001.

6. He Is a Design Engineer

Rami’s career as a design engineer began in September 2001 at Advanced Neuromodulation Systems. During his time here, he was in charge of designing and developing the firmware for several products and has two patents. He stayed on at Advanced Neuromodulation Systems for 4 years and 10 months. Rami explains on his LinkedIn profile that his interests lie in Fintech/cryptocurrency, cell and gene therapy, next-generation internet, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and autonomous driving. However, he also points out that, after exploring most of these fields, he is happy to be working in cell and gene therapy.

7. He Is an Advisor at Action Potential Venture Capital

From October 2019, Rami has been serving as the Executive in Residence (XIR) for the Action Potential Venture Capital fund by GSK. He advises the organization and its portfolio companies in matters concerning growth and commercialization. He also offers the team support as it assesses new opportunities for investment for the fund.

8. He Is an Advisory Board Member in Several Organizations

Rami has also been an advisory board member at Sounding Board, Inc since April 2019 to date. The company, which is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a leadership development platform that provides personal and scalable coaching to companies looking to grow their leaders. In addition to this role, Rami is also an advisor to CareMessage, which uses mobile technology to promote health in underserved populations in the Bay Area and beyond.

9. He Owns 2 Patents

Rami has been part of many innovations in the tech and medical world and currently owns two patents. His patent 7782190 for an ‘implantable device and system and method for wireless communication' was issued by the United States on August 24, 2010. His other patent, 7212110, was issued on May 1, 2007, for an ‘implantable device and system and method for wireless communication.’

10. He Has Given a TEDx Talk

Renowned for his extensive knowledge and experience in startups, Rami is a keynote speaker that has delivered speeches on many platforms. He has also given a TEDx talk, an experience that he called the ‘most thrilling and fulfilling experiences of his life.' Rami said he was thrilled to learn that his friends had shared the talk with their daughters and found it very impactful.

Conclusion

Rami Elghandour has had a career in entrepreneurial management, venture capitalism, and technology spanning over 18 years. During this time, he has served as a design engineer and the CEO of Nevro, where he was instituted immense growth. He is currently the CEO of Arcellx, a keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and a board member and advisor to several startups. Several organizations have recognized Rami for his contributions to his field, and he is currently working on a novel cell therapy treatment.