John Stanford is the Founder & Executive Director of Incubate, the national organization of venture capital firms united to support early-stage life science innovation. In this role, he serves as the go-to advisor for VCs and biotech executives navigating the intersection of investment, policy, and market dynamics. John is widely recognized as the definitive voice shaping the conversation around biotech innovation, drug pricing, and intellectual property both in the U.S. and globally. 
 
Under his leadership, Incubate has become a driving force behind pro-innovation policies that support the biotech ecosystem and protect the intellectual property rights that fuel discovery. His work has been formally recognized in the Congressional Record and in multiple state legislatures. 

 
John is a frequent commentator in top-tier outlets including The Wall Street Journal, STAT, CNBC, The Washington Post, and International Business Times. He is also the host of the Making Medicine podcast, where he interviews top biotech CEOs, investors, and policymakers on the future of life science innovation. 
 
A sought-after speaker, John has delivered keynotes and spoken on high-profile panels at events including the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and the Convergence Forum. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Bayh-Dole Coalition, where he advances efforts to protect the innovation pipeline from lab to patient and is a member of the Springboard National Trust, where he helps connect women-led companies with the tools, connections, and support they need to scale more effectively. 
 
A native of Denver, Colorado, John holds a B.A. in Government from the College of William & Mary and an M.Ed. from Arizona State University. 

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