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Nikki Hastings, PhD

Nikki Hastings is co-founder and managing partner of QDS Capital. She has over 15 years of experience with early stage biotech/medtech and medical device companies, specifically with expertise in working with academic and first-time founders. She has led operations in executive management roles at companies including HemoShear Therapeutics, Contraline, and Cerillo. Nikki co-founded and led a private non-profit organization, CvilleBioHub, supporting growth of the regional biotech industry in Central Virginia and was the organization’s first executive director. Dr. Hastings is an adjunct faculty member in the UVA McIntire School of Commerce and holds a PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia.

  • Domain expertise in biotechnology/med device commercialization
  • Co-founder and founding Executive Director of CvilleBioHub serving 75 Central VA life science companies and industry sector growth
  • Conducted angel investment due diligence
  • Board of Advisors: Springbok Analytics, Cerillo, UVA Engineering Entrepreneurship, UVA Ivy Review Board (tech transfer office)
  • PhD, Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia
  • Adjunct Faculty, UVA McIntire School of Commerce
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  • Developed platform technology used to de-risk drug development in big pharma
  • Founding team member with UVA academic co-founders
  • VP Operations, building scalable infrastructure, laboratory/GLP process
  • Company raised $40M series A, 2021
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  • COO of  UVA spinout developing novel male contraceptive hydrogel product
  • Recruited top organic chemist as CTO
  • Founders fund-backed; Y-combinator
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  • COO of UVA spinout with novel portable lab research spectrometer
  • Recruited and advised CEO, supporting $1.3M seed round, 2021

Our Philosophy

Qui Decertat Succedit.

 — Those who fight succeed.

QDS Believes In:

  • dreaming big is the first step and then making your way through by thoughtfully navigating the obstacles.

  • smart work, strong teams and a sense of urgency are foundational for early startup success.

  • no one can do it alone and it matters who you surround yourself with.

  • small defeats cannot get in the way of opportunity for big wins.

  • perseverance, respect, and humility and showing up every day