Michel has 25 years of medical device industry experience in North America and Europe leading international teams, raising capital, and developing innovative medical devices from concept to market. His prior startup roles include: Founder & CEO of iSTAR Medical (exit in the process to Abbvie); co-Founder, CEO & Chairman of Healionics; and co-Founder & Director General of Medimexico (exited to NxStage / Fresenius Medical Care). A passionate entrepreneur and patented inventor, he is excited about pioneering the next generation of wearable devices to benefit patients from the comfort of home. Michel earned an MBA from the University of Washington, a BSc from San Francisco State University, and an AA from De Anza College. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and basic French.  Mr. Alvarez also enjoys serving as a mentor to new Inventors and CEOs through such programs as the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Institute for the Global Entrepreneur – Medtech Accelerator, and being a guest lecturer to graduate-level students at universities in Europe and the USA on topics including bringing concepts to market with little capital, avoiding pitfalls, and pivoting as needed.