Gavin Sathianathan

Gavin Sathianathan is the CEO of Research Smart, a company he founded in January 2019 and continues to lead.1 He is an experienced entrepreneur and business leader with a diverse background in technology, consumer data, and healthcare innovation.2

Education and Early Career

Gavin holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) from Imperial College London and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School.1 He also spent a year studying at Ecole Nationale Superieure in France.1

After graduation, Gavin began his career as a consultant at Bain & Company, where he worked for over four years.1

Corporate Experience

Gavin's corporate career spans several high-profile companies:

• Facebook: He held various roles, including Retail Lead for EMEA and Strategic Partner Manager, from 2010 to 2013.1
• blinkbox: Served as Managing Director from 2013 to 2015.1
• Endemol: Worked as Head of New Business Development from 2008 to 2010.1

Entrepreneurial Ventures

Gavin's entrepreneurial journey includes:

• Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies: Co-founder and Non-Executive Director from 2018 to 2021.1
• Forma Holdings: CEO from 2016 to 2018.1
• Research Smart: Founded in 2019 and currently serving as CEO.12

Research Smart

At Research Smart, Gavin leads a company that provides an end-to-end platform for conducting research, leveraging AI and intuitive consumer design.2 The platform focuses on underrepresented patient cohorts, such as those with rare diseases and BAME populations.2

Advocacy and Interests

Gavin is passionate about bringing digital innovation to underfunded, stigmatized, or marginalized areas of healthcare research.2 He has been an advocate for patients' rights to access novel medicines, particularly in the area of medical cannabis.2

Personal Background

Born in Bedford to parents of Tamil heritage, Gavin took an unconventional path by studying Chemical Engineering instead of medicine.2 His unique background as a BAME founder in healthcare has presented both challenges and opportunities in his entrepreneurial journey.2