Synergy has been actively involved in medical technology and venture capital since 1996.  We have participated in over $600 million in equity and other financial transactions for over 50 private U.S. medical technology companies through equity investment from our Synergy Venture funds, and, through Synergy Partners International, establishment of strategic alliances, investments, or acquisitions involving US medical device companies and leading Japan medical device corporations.  

Synergy Ventures seeks early stage investment opportunities in US medical device startups, with typical funding levels of $250K to $1M in our initial investment. 

Synergy Partners International is a consulting company developing investment and strategic partnering relationships between U.S. medical technology companies and Japan corporate and financial clients.  

Managing Directors

Allan Johnston, Ph.D.       Dr. Johnston is cofounder and managing director of Synergy Ventures II LP, Synergy Partners International, and Nikko Synergy Ventures LLC. From 1992 to 1996, Dr. Johnston was Principal at Berkeley International Capital Corporation in charge of private equity investments in medical technology companies, with primary focus in the medical device industry.  From 1987 to 1992, Dr. Johnston was Program Manager at the Center for Medical Technology at SRI International, an international R&D institution in California.  At SRI, he directed research projects, product development, and technical and business consulting activities for medical technology companies worldwide.  Dr. Johnston has a Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry from the University of Guelph.  He serves on the board of several private companies and is an outside director of Three Oaks Innovations, a company focused on commercialization of technology developed at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Robert Okun, M.I.M.       Mr. Okun is cofounder and managing director of Synergy Ventures II LP, Synergy Partners International, and Nikko Synergy Ventures LLC.  From 1987 to 1996 Mr. Okun was Senior Vice President at Berkeley International Capital Corporation, in charge of syndication, client relations, and fund raising activities in Japan and the Pacific Rim, as well as developing strategic equity and distribution arrangements between portfolio companies and corporations in Asia. Mr. Okun served as a Director of Berkeley/NED Development Capital Limited, a $22 million medical technology fund. Mr. Okun was also involved in arranging equity investments in high technology companies, with primary focus in the semiconductor and communications industries. From 1983 to 1987, he was Director of International Sales for Nanometrics, a manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment.  Mr. Okun has a B.A. in Japanese, and a Masters in International Management (MIM) from the American Graduate School of International Management.