Before landing in New Orleans, Muieen Cader gained experience in multiple industries, including health, science and angel investing, as well as international experience in far off locales Singapore and Uganda. For Cader, the new program director at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) as of February, variety is truly the spice of life.
“I see a lot of opportunity existing in New Orleans,” he said, “and this position offers a lot more variety than a typical venture capital role. I can help companies as well as the city.”
NOBIC is a nonprofit business incubator focused on supporting innovation in the broad field of bioscience.
“Anything that touches food and agriculture as well as health qualifies as bioscience,” Cader explained. “It can cover anything from cancer diagnostics to cultivated meats.”
A key aspect of Cader’s work is promoting interest in biosciences, including a program launched recently with Junior Achievement and YouthForce NOLA that serves approximately 100 high school students across the city.
“The high school programming will lead to more STEM students, which leads to more bioscience entrepreneurs,” observed Cader, “and it will help develop the bioscience ecosystem in a broader sense.”
Another program Cader manages is the BioChallenge pitch contest, which provides opportunities for entrepreneurs from all over the world.
“There is a strict application process, with rules and industry-specific themes,” he said. “It may include everything from healing technologies to vaccines.”
As part of NOBIC’s recent grant from JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Cader recruited life science company founders from across the U.S. for a panel at Essence Festival of Culture 2024. This panel, and accompanying networking session, will allow these founders to tell their stories and inspire the next generation of life science entrepreneurs.
Building the bioscience future in New Orleans is clearly a passion for Cader, and his view of that future is bright.
“I think NOBIC has a lot of momentum right now,” he said, “and I think it will really take off going forward.
