Adam Sharkawy: Director at Folio Photonics

About Adam Sharkawy

Adam Sharkawy has been a founder and managing partner at Material Impact since January 2016. The venture fund invests in companies developing materials, hardware and manufactured products. He is also a director of Folio Photonics. Nauticus Robotics named him a director and said he served on boards of 11 companies, including Soft Robotics, Orbion Space Technologies and 6K. He also served on bioengineering advisory boards at Duke and Texas A&M. Sharkawy earned degrees from Duke, Texas A&M and the American University in Cairo. He earlier studied pre-medicine and biology at the University of Delaware.

Earlier, he led The Medicines Company’s global surgery and perioperative care business as a senior vice president. He managed a $170 million purchase and integrated three more deals worth over $1 billion. At Smith & Nephew, he built emerging-market operations, started an advanced-healing materials business and led research and development. At Abbott Vascular, he was vice president of research, advanced development and new ventures. He helped launch Xience/Promus and co-led an integration after a $28 billion acquisition. At Ventrica, he led research and development before Medtronic bought its technology for $35 million. He earlier held technology roles at Heartport and Advanced Cardiovascular System. He also consulted in aircraft, oil drilling and medical devices.

Experience

This experience comes from official bios and from SEC filings. For roles taken from filings, the years are when the filings name Adam Sharkawy in the role, so the role may have started earlier or lasted longer.

Folio Photonics Inc. Current

Director

2022 – Present · Solon, OH

Folio Photonics develops optical-disc media for organizations that need durable, accessible and lower-cost archives.

6K Inc. Current

Director

2022 – Present · North Andover, MA

Nauticus Robotics, Inc. Current

Director and 10% owner

2022 – Present · Public company (KITT)

NextGen Jane, Inc. Current

Director

2019 – Present · Oakland, CA

Material Impact Current

Founder and Managing Partner

2016 – Present

Soft Robotics, Inc. Current