Kal Mentak, PhD                

Board Member, Andrew Dougherty Vision Foundation

  • Role: Board Member, Andrew Dougherty Vision Foundation 
  • Focus: Ophthalmic entrepreneurship, investing, and global technology deployment 
  • Affiliations: Vision Innovation Institute; Zuehlke Ventures 
  • Education: PhD, Materials Science & Engineering, University of Florida

Dr. Kal Mentak is a highly accomplished Silicon Valley-based institutional investor and entrepreneur. He brings extensive experience in building medical device companies from the ground up to the Andrew Dougherty Vision Foundation Board of Directors.

Through his deep understanding of technology, business development, and global funding, Kal ensures that ophthalmic technologies reach patients in underserved communities worldwide, directly supporting ADVF's mission to eliminate preventable blindness.

Ophthalmic Entrepreneurship

Kal has played a pivotal role in founding and leading several companies in the ophthalmic medical device space, focusing on bringing innovative solutions to market. His ventures include Catalyst Technology Innovation Group (CTIG) and a venture partner at Zühlke Ventures. Surgidev Corporation (Ciba Vision and Bausch & Lomb), Vision Science, Inc. (AVS), and Adoptics Ltd., (Santen Ltd), Tenon Medical, Inc., Key Medical Technologies, Inc., and ClearSight LLC (Sharklet technologies/Peaceful Union Private Equity Group), demonstrating a consistent track record of technological development and business success within healthcare.

Catalyst Technology Innovation Group (CTIG) and a venture partner at Zühlke Ventures. Surgidev Corporation (Ciba Vision and Bausch & Lomb), Advanced Vision Science, Inc. (Santen Ltd), Tenon Medical, Inc., Key Medical Technologies, Inc., and ClearSight LLC (Sharklet technologies/Peaceful Union Private Equity Group).

Investing & Global Innovation

Kal is a medical device innovator with over 30 patents and a strong track record in ophthalmology. He invented the enVista IOL (Bausch & Lomb) and Eternity IOLs (Santen, Inc.), and founded Catalyst Technology Innovation Group (CTIG). He’s also a venture partner at Zühlke Ventures and previously led companies including Surgidev Corporation, Advanced Vision Science, Tenon Medical, Key Medical Technologies, and ClearSight LLC.

Author & Thought Leader

Kal's dedication to innovation extends to education and mentorship, reflected in his published works which guide entrepreneurs through the complex world of startups:

He was the commencement speaker at the College of Engineering at the University of Florida in 2019. (UF News)

Technical Credentials

With a background in quantum physics and engineering, Dr. Mentak holds over forty-five (45) technology patents, underscoring his deep technical proficiency and innovative spirit.