About | Lifeblood

Service. Tenacity. Optimism. Integrity. Candor.

Lifeblood represents the indispensable force driving success in the MedTech industry. Just as Lifeblood is vital to living organisms, our services are essential to MedTech companies, providing them with the talent and strategic guidance they need to thrive. The name "Lifeblood" was inspired by the belief that talent is the lifeblood of MedTech startups.

Lifeblood is a Houston based MedTech talent recruitment and advisory firm with global reach. We help startups grow by building exceptional teams and venture ready strategies. From shower idea to commercialization, we’re embedded in every stage. Our founder first events like MedTech Oktoberfest, Step-Up webinars, and global CEO roundtables bring the ecosystem together.

At Lifeblood our mission is to connect innovative MedTech companies with the best talent and strategic guidance. We believe in fostering a culture of innovation, integrity, and excellence. Lifeblood is deeply embedded in the MedTech ecosystem, acting as a crucial partner in the journey of MedTech startups by representing their brands, protecting investor interests, and maintaining confidentiality with industry professionals. We uphold the highest standards of professionalism and are dedicated to nurturing the growth of the MedTech community through our unwavering commitment to our clients’ success.

Founded with the vision to support MedTech innovators, Lifeblood has grown into a global leader in talent recruitment and advisory. With decades of experience and over 2,000 successful placements, we have empowered numerous startups and SMEs to thrive in the competitive MedTech landscape. Our journey began with the recognition of the critical role that talent plays in the success of MedTech startups. Over the years, we have expanded our services and built a robust network of industry veterans, establishing ourselves as a trusted partner in the MedTech industry.

At Lifeblood we don’t just fill roles; we create dream teams. And since we’ve already built one ourselves, you can trust us to do the same for you. We’re not just recruiters and advisors—we’re connectors, matchmakers, and strategists, driven by the mission to place and advise top-tier talent in the roles that shape the future of MedTech.

Scroll down to meet the team that makes scaling your business effortless—so you can focus on what matters most: transforming lives through MedTech.

Giovanni Lauricella

Co-Founder & CEO

Giovanni Lauricella has a Bachelor’s in Finance and a Master’s in Regulatory Affairs in Medical Devices. He has travelled to 40+ countries and has assisted 500+ startups with talent acquisition and fundraising strategies leading to more than 2,000 hires, $300 million in raised capital, and $4 billion in acquisitions. Giovanni is an active board member and angel investor, who brings 15 years of experience designing and building teams for MedTech startups.

Joseph Snyder

Co-Founder & Head of Talent

Joseph Snyder has a Bachelor’s in Sports Management and an MBA in Finance. He has built and led startups with over a decade of sales management experience, traveled to 5 of 7 continents, and supports MedTech startups and public corporations with global talent acquisition and fundraising strategies. Joseph is passionate about designing and building teams in the MedTech and Healthcare Technology industries and is adept at developing strategic industry partnerships with his clients.

Cristiano Fontana

Head of Advisory

Cristiano Fontana studied economics and business at the Catholic University of Milan. He later earned a master’s degree in Corporate Management (CEGA), an Executive MBA and an Executive in Corporate Finance at SDA Bocconi. Cristiano is a former co-founder and board member of CrossBay Medical, a successful MedTech company that developed and licensed its technology through multiple global deals. He has served as product specialist, product manager and general manager in different distribution companies developing extensive Marketing & Sales expertise in a multitude of clinical areas. Cristiano is well connected in the MedTech startup scene, acting as a partner at several organizations such as IStarter and ClubDealOnline.

Benjamin Sanchez

Head of Operations

Benjamin Sanchez brings a diverse professional background in communications, operations management, strategic planning, and international affairs to our team. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications and began his career as a commissioned US Army Officer, specializing in satellite communications. Throughout his distinguished career, Benjamin has served in various high-profile assignments, including the NATO Kosovo Forces Mission, the US European Command Plans, Policy, Strategy, and Capabilities Directorate, the US Embassy to Ukraine Office of Defense Cooperation, and Operation Lone Star on the Texas/Mexico Border. Benjamin is passionate about refining operations and procedures, leveraging data analysis and statistics, and fostering collaborative work environments that value the contributions and experiences of all team members.

Maggie Judge

Head of Growth

Maggie Judge blends clinical expertise with strategic innovation to drive growth and operational excellence. A forward-thinking registered nurse, she specializes in process optimization, automation, and scalability, consistently transforming operations while maintaining top-tier quality. Her keen attention to detail and high-impact strategies have led to major successes, including saving $1M in the first year through improved protocols, and leading clinical marketing teams to secure the largest client contracts in four years. With a dynamic personality and passion for innovation, Maggie excels in marketing, networking, and event planning, seamlessly connecting stakeholders and fostering industry relationships. A true catalyst for growth and transformation in MedTech, she thrives in high-energy environments, inspiring teams and redefining excellence.

John Sousa, MD

Senior Recruiter and Medical Officer

John’s professional experience includes being a physician and completing three years of General Surgery residency training at Stanford and Florida Atlantic University. John was the Finance Director of a student-run clinic during his time in medical school. He is passionate about scaling impact to patients around the world through supporting entrepreneurship in the MedTech space, harnessing his depth and breadth of clinical experience in general surgery, as well as his business acumen and interpersonal skills. John is a native bilingual speaker of English and Spanish, and speaks conversational Portuguese. He received his Bachelor’s degree and High School Diploma, both with Honors by the age of 17, completing eight years of schooling in three years. He then went on to Medical School at the University of Florida, receiving his M.D. with Honors at the age of 22. John provides clinical insight, fundraising, and talent acquisition services to MedTech startups.

Ella Gilani

Advisory Associate

With over 7 years of diverse experience, Ella is a seasoned professional skilled in customer relations, digital marketing, and business development. She has collaborated with medical device companies, including I-Vasc, specializing in the endovascular sector, where she managed international clients, operations, logistics, and finance. In her later role at Three Bridges M&C, Ella served as the Account Manager supporting a multitude of MedTech early stage, small and medium size companies. She excelled in developing and executing Go-To-Market strategies, crafting impactful marketing and communication plans and investment storytelling and theses, as well as optimizing digital and social media presence. With her comprehensive expertise in various areas including market research, business development, and marketing communications, Ella consistently delivers high-level support to the company, driving growth and fostering lasting relationships.

Milena Luisa Baselli

Advisory Associate

Milena Luisa Baselli is a dynamic professional with extensive experience in strategic business development and innovation, particularly within the healthcare and MedTech industries. Known for her ability to bridge the gap between cutting-edge R&D and successful commercialization, she brings a unique blend of analytical rigor and creative problem-solving to every project. Milena’s proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and driving growth initiatives has positioned her as a valuable asset in transforming emerging ideas into market-ready solutions. Her commitment to excellence and passion for fostering venture-backable companies continue to make a significant impact in the fast-paced world of healthcare innovation.

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MedTech Talent Recruitment & Business Advisory