Biography:
3x Startup Founder. 3x Nonprofit Leader. 3x Dad. Bestselling Author.
Neil Thanedar is an entrepreneur, investor, scientist, activist, and author. He is currently executive director of MCFN, a nonprofit fighting dark money in Michigan politics. He is also the author of Positive Politics, a proven playbook on how to get into politics and do good. Since 2012, Neil has been founder & chairman of Labdoor (YC W15), the independent worldwide alternative to the FDA. He is also an angel investor with his fund Utopic, backing pre-seed biotech startups led by scientist CEOs. He was previously co-founder and president of Avomeen, a product development and testing lab acquired for $30M+ in 2016. He has also served as Executive Director of The Detroit Partnership and Senior Advisor to his father Shri Thanedar in his campaigns for Governor, State House, and US Congress in Michigan. Neil earned his BS (Cellular & Molecular Biology) and BBA (Entrepreneurship) from the University of Michigan in 2010. He was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri where he graduated from MICDS. Neil and his family have now called Michigan home since 2006. He is also an amateur hockey player and aspiring drummer.
Timeline:
1988: Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
Son of Indian immigrants (entrepreneur & neurologist). One younger brother.2006: Graduated from MICDS.
Wrestling (3 League Titles) and Football (1 State Championship). And some school.2010: Graduated from the University of Michigan.
BS (Cellular & Molecular Biology) and BBA (Entrepreneurship).2010: Founded Avomeen.
Scaled from zero to profitability in 18 months, then exited in <5 years.2017: First kid is born!
I now have two boys, Kai (8) and Ajay (5), and a new baby girl, Maya!2020: Founded Air to All.
501(c)3 nonprofit donating life-saving medical supplies for COVID and Ukraine.2022: Founded Utopic.
My angel fund investing in biotech startups led by scientist CEOs.2024: Founded Stealth Startup.
Co-founder in a new startup inventing the future of food testing.2025: Published My First Book!
Positive Politics: A Proven Playbook to Get into Politics, Change Your Life, and Change the World was released on November 11, 2025 and is now officially an Amazon Best Seller!
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