Purpose-Built Partnerships For Long-Term Value

Newburyport Partners is a business advisory firm dedicated to partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs who aspire to build and grow globally ambitious startups in the U.S. and internationally.

Who We Are

We are a team of experienced founder-operators and investors who partner with exceptional, passionate, and driven entrepreneurs who aspire to build successful businesses that are built on a differentiated piece of technology, with product(s) that represent a step change for growing markets.  We understand the unique challenges you face and are here to help you navigate the path to success.

Meet our Leadership Team

Ross Haghighat -  Managing Partner

A veteran entrepreneur and venture partner with over 30 years of experience turning high-potential technology startups into global commercial leaders. Proven track record as a hands-on operator, serving as CEO for multiple private and public entities. Expert in navigating complex capital structures, including 6 public listings (IPO and RTO) and multiple high-value M&A transactions.  Dedicated to driving shareholder value through rigorous strategic governance, operational scaling, and public market execution in the biotech, sustainability, and advanced technology sectors.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Newburyport Partners | Managing Partner Leading strategic advisory services to private and listed companies; helping founders navigate international operations and reach global scale.

Explorer Group | Partner Serial SPAC sponsor with a track record of 7 successful IPOs, raising $2.5B in capital, and executing multiple successful merger transactions.

  • Lead strategic oversight of high-growth operating entities, driving commercialization and liquidity events.

Triton Systems | Founding CEO & Chairman. Drove the company’s trajectory from a startup to a renowned leader in global technology ventures.

  • Successfully navigated advanced technologies into global commercial successes across sustainability, healthcare, defense, and energy sectors.

Selected Leadership & Public Market Transactions

  • Sernova BioTherapeutics (TSX: SVA) Chairman - A clinical stage Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) regenerative cell therapy company
  • BioPlus Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq IPO 2022): Founding CEO; led the company through public offering and strategic positioning.
  • Avertix Medical, Executive Chairman: Spearheaded the development and market introduction of a first-in-class, FDA-approved Class III implantable cardiac device.
  • Sensera Limited (ASX: SEN) Co-Founder: Focused on microsensors for cardiovascular applications; successfully scaled for acquisition by Abiomed/Johnson & Johnson.
  • Fluence Corporation (Lead Investor/Director): Partnered with management to transform the firm into a global leader in AI-enabled, energy-efficient water treatment (operations in 7 countries).
  • Respiri Limited / Vitasora Health: (ASX:VHL) Executive Chairman (Co-Founder): Established and scaled this digital health enterprise focused on remote patient monitoring.
  • CCAC (NYSE: CCAC): Serving as a Member of the Board of Directors.
  • Nofia Solutions (Founder/Lead Director): Transformed the firm into a global leader in sustainable specialty chemicals.
  • Electriq Global (Director): Providing strategic oversight and governance for the company’s energy technology solutions.
  • Public/Biotech Exits (Board Engagement):
    • Chinook Therapeutics: Contributed to commercial stage growth; Nasdaq IPO 2020, acquired by Novartis (2023).
    • Aduro Biotech: Guided company to Nasdaq 2015 IPO; acquired by Van Herk Group (2023).

Marc Andre Lebel -  Managing Partner 

Entrepreneur, company builder, and board-level executive with a track record of founding, scaling, and exiting advanced materials, energy technology and medtech companies. Led IPOs and M&A exits. Raised >$200M in capital, negotiated billion-dollar supply agreements, and served on public and private company boards. Over 30 years of experience bridging innovation, capital markets, and global commercialization.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Newburyport Partners | Managing Partner (2025–Present)

  • Advising founders and investors on venture creation, commercialization, and exit strategy.
  • Scaling companies globally and unlocking shareholder value.

Nofia Solutions | Advisor to the Board and CEO (2025–Present)

  • Guiding expansion of global polymer platform into new markets.

Phaxtec | Director (2023–Present)

  • Advancing bio-based polymer platform and commercialization strategy.

ElectriQ Global | Advisor (2025–Present)

  • Advising on hydrogen energy commercialization and partnerships.

FRX Innovations | Founder & CEO (2007–2025)

  • Built specialty chemicals company from concept to IPO and subsequent M&A transaction.
  • Raised >$175M and established global manufacturing.

Aspen Aerogels | VP Sales (2004–2007)

  • Scaled global commercial operations in support of IPO.

Triton Systems | EVP Licensing & Venturing (2003–2005)

  • Co-founded Sensera (ASX IPO) and incubated FRX.

DSM Corporate Venture Group | Special Advisor (2003–2007)

  • Advised on venture creation and commercialization.

DSM Thermoplastic Elastomers | Founding CEO

  • Sold technology to DSM and hired to start up new company.
  • Built global specialty material company from lab to $25M revenue over 8 years and exited via M&A.

SELECTED TRANSACTIONS

FRX Innovations (IPO & exit) | Nofia Solutions (Founder) | Sensera (ASX IPO) | DSM Thermoplastic Elastomers (M&A exit) | Phaxtec

EDUCATION & Executive Development

B.S. Chemical Engineering (Minor in Business), University of Ottawa
Harvard Business School – Executive Programs in Management, Strategy, and Sales
University of Michigan – New Product Development & Commercialization

Senior Advisors 

James Cassina – Capital Markets

Jim is a seasoned businessman with experienced in many aspects of corporate financing of public and private companies from formation to growth and expansion, exchange listings, mergers, acquisitions, and sale.

He is the Founder and CEO of a successful series of TSX-Venture Capital Pool Companies branded by the “Good2Go” name which have recently completed acquisitions and Going Public Transactions with Brokered Concurrent Financings of NowVertical Group Inc., (TSXV: “NOW”) an international big data software and services company specializing in global automotive and USA government verticals, Leveljump Healthcare Corp., (TSXV: JUMP) (OTCQB: JMPHF) (FSE: 75J) a national medical diagnostic imaging company providing teleradiology (remote radiology) services to its client hospitals and imaging centers, FRX Innovations Inc. an international manufacturing company with a proprietary fire retardant additive, primarily in plastics in contact with electricity, featuring Non Toxic, Non Leaching properties that won the Company many international ESG Awards. Critical Minerals America Inc. is a current Good2Go Going Public Transaction with a Brokered Concurrent Financing of what is considered one of the largest known accumulations of recoverable Critical Minerals with Rare Earth Elements located in North America.

What Makes Us Different

Our team comprises experienced professionals with decades of experience as startup entrepreneurs. We have built operations from the startup phase to global businesses across multiple continents.  We have raised hundreds of millions of dollars for each of our businesses.   Our products successes impact a range of markets; including biotech, medtech, sustainable green technologies, energy efficiency.  We bring this diverse experience to every partnership.

Ready To Get Started?

We invite you to explore how Newburyport Partners can help you achieve your business goals. Visit our portfolio companies to learn more about our successful partnerships and the impact we've made. We look forward to hearing from you and discussing your vision.

"Newburyport Partners has been instrumental in our growth strategy. Their expertise, access to a global network and dedication are unmatched."

A Satisfied Client

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