Primary Job Title Partner Primary Organization 
Innova Memphis
Location Memphis, Tennessee, United States Regions Southern US Gender Male
Investor Type
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Dean has consulted with Innova since 2009 on several due diligence projects focused on qualifying new technologies, patents, competition, and market acceptance. Having spent the last eight years as an international executive in the specialty chemical and bioengineering segment focused on food safety fields, Didato has extensive expertise in
pathogen intervention mechanisms as they relate to food processing and consumer health.
He has worked with AgBio startups such as BioDimensions, Infinite Enzymes, BioNanovations, and most recently Secure Food Solutions, where he remains a Board Member. This experience gave him a wide span of knowledge ranging from remediation of bacterial spec and spot on crops, to enzyme manufacturing through genetically modified maize, to rapid aflatoxin detection using hyperspectral imaging. Didato has assisted startups orchestrate strategic plans to accelerate revenue growth, dramatically improving value propositions that have resulted in acquisitions, strategic alliances, or licensing opportunities.
Immediately prior to joining Innova, Dean was a Strategic Accounts Manager for The Vincit Group, one of the country’s largest vertically integrated food safety and solutions. During his 35+ years of professional experience he has held executive positions at Synergy Technologies, OmniLytics and Buckman Laboratories.
He was recognized by the Wall Street Journal and was featured in “Virtual Teams: People Working Across Boundaries with Technology ” by Jessica Lipnack.
Dean received a BS in Biology-Management from Marietta College. He also completed several post graduate management programs, including The Leadership Development Program at the Centers for Creative Leadership, and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard University.
