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Ian Tolfree, PhD

Ian Tolfree, PhD

Principal atEmerald Development ManagersNew York
LinkedIn Emerald Development Managers websiteFirm profile

Ian Tolfree is a Principal at Emerald with a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Johns Hopkins University. He founded TBT Pharma Inc. and became an Executive in Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures in 2025.

What Ian can write

Writes checks ofNot reported
Comes in atPre-seed, Seed, Series ALead preference not reported
Pitch pageSubmit on their siteThe firm asks founders to apply here.

Career

  1. The Johns Hopkins University’s FastForward incubator · Manager
  2. Emerald · Principal
  3. TBT Pharma Inc. · Founder and CEO
  4. Columbia Technology Ventures · Executive in Residence
    2025
  5. Emerald Development Managers LP · Entrepreneur-in-Residence
    Now
  6. Emerald Development Managers LP · Principal
    Now

Companies founded

TBT Pharma Inc.

Focus

life sciencesbiotechnologycommercializationdermatologymedical devicesoptics

Education

The Johns Hopkins University, PhD in Theoretical PhysicsColumbia University, BS in Applied Physics

Also at Emerald Development Managers

Neil Cohen
Neil CohenFounder & Chairman
Charles Collins
Charles CollinsPartner
Cy Schroeder
Cy SchroederPrincipal
Beckie Cohen
Beckie CohenAssociate
Youssef Kheiralla
Youssef KheirallaAssociate

Partners like Ian

At firms with a similar stage, sector and check size.

Akira KurabayashiManaging Partner / Head of Japan, DNX Ventures
Brendon DurkinManaging Director, Koch Disruptive Technologies
John NordinGeneral Partner, Analog Ventures
Alex Katz
Alex KatzPartner, ff Venture Capital
Cat MiddletonGeneral Partner, The Venture Collective
Alex Demeulenaere
Alex DemeulenaereManaging Director, Zero Infinity Partners

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One email when Ian's firm raises a fund, adds a partner or shows new activity.

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Questions

Who is Ian Tolfree, PhD?

Ian Tolfree is a Principal at Emerald with a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Johns Hopkins University. He founded TBT Pharma Inc. and became an Executive in Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures in 2025.

How much does Ian Tolfree, PhD invest?

Emerald Development Managers has not reported a check size. It invests at pre-seed, seed, series a.

How do I pitch Ian Tolfree, PhD?

A warm intro from a founder Emerald Development Managers backed works best. A short LinkedIn note with one line on traction is the next best route.

What did Ian Tolfree, PhD do before Emerald Development Managers?

Manager at The Johns Hopkins University’s FastForward incubator; Principal at Emerald; Founder and CEO at TBT Pharma Inc.; Executive in Residence at Columbia Technology Ventures.

Last updated 2026-10-15. Is this you? Ask for a correction.