CHESTER ALDRIDGE
Chairman & CEO
Chester Aldridge is Founder, Chairman and CEO of US Equity Holdings. Through US Equity Holdings, Chester incubates, finances and manages numerous ventures in the fields of entertainment, software, healthcare, renewable energy, basic materials and transportation.
BACKGROUND
Chester has more than 25 years of experience in founding and operating businesses, ranging from start-ups to multi-million-dollar publicly traded companies. Highlights of Chester's career include helping to raise more than $150 million of private equity as a founder of multiple ventures; licensing and collaborating with world-renowned research and development institutions, including the Buck Institute for Research on Aging; partnerships with NASA and Fraunhofer; securing sales and distribution deals worth tens of millions of dollars from partners including Sony, Atari, and Vivendi Universal; and licensing major Hollywood properties, from Disney brands to Frank Miller's Sin City and MTV’s Jackass.
BIOMEDICAL
Chester is a Co-Founder and the Chairman of Aelan Cell Technologies. Aelan Cell Technologies is engaged in the research, discovery, development and commercialization of innovative biomedical technologies for the advancement of human health and longevity. Aelan has assembled an experienced team - bringing together scientific and business expertise - to successfully lead its products through each phase of development. With a team of experts led by Dr. Victoria Lunyak, Aelan was established in 2015 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Aelan is actively building partnerships with companies that share its goals.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Chester is a Co-Founder and a member of the Board of Directors of Mount Tam Biotechnologies. Formed on World Lupus Day 2014, Mount Tam Biotechnologies was established to develop, optimize and bring to market leading medical compounds to improve the health and well-being of millions of people who have been affected by autoimmune diseases. The organization's first and most advanced product focuses on the treatment of lupus. Mount Tam Biotechnologies is working extensively with the world-renowned Buck Institute for Research on Aging. It has an exclusive worldwide licensing and collaboration agreement with the Buck Institute, which includes the Institute’s most advanced R&D assets in the area of autoimmune disorders. The license contains TAM-01, a pre-IND stage compound, which represents a promising therapeutic for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus. The agreement also includes other earlier-stage compounds and an extensive library of assets positioned in the autoimmune disease space. The licensed assets are supported by an extensive portfolio of intellectual property consisting of over 45 worldwide issued patents and patent applications, including composition-of-matter, manufacturing and therapeutic-area applications.
Chester has acted or is acting as Strategic Advisor to the following companies:
Credence MedSystems is a medical technology and specialty pharmaceutical company focused on delivering medications safely for the benefit of its patients, caregivers and partners. The Credence Companion Safety Syringe System has changed the paradigm for commercializing an injectable drug in a differentiated safety delivery system by enabling Innovation Without Change™. The value the Companion brings to Credence our pharmaceutical partners lies not only in the end-user benefits of the final device but also in its simplification of the path to commercialization.
Credence MedSystems has a strategic investment from one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies Novartis, strategic collaborations with SCHOTT AG and has won grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Cure Pharmaceutical is a preeminent developer and manufacturer of the most advanced oral thin film (CureFilm) on the market today with an industry leading full service cGMP manufacturing facility. Cure Pharmaceutical offers the most advanced development and manufacturing of CureFilm pharmaceutical and veterinarian products in a patented and proprietary delivery system.
Alongside its stand-alone CureFilm technology, Cure Pharmaceutical has developed an array of products in cutting-edge delivery platforms, such as sublingual and transdermal applications. The Cure Pharmaceutical Team has extensive experience formulating and manufacturing OTC products, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary medications placing quality and service as their top priorities, thus earning them the trust and respect of customers worldwide.
Prosetta Biosciences, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing novel small-molecule antiviral therapeutics based on over 25 years of basic research on Cell-Free Protein Synthesizing Systems (CFPSS) by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Washington, Seattle. Prosetta has successfully produced highly potent compounds that display activity against multiple strains of many viral families including lead series of molecules that are effective antiviral agents against influenza, HIV and HCV.
Based in Frederick, Maryland, Akonni Biosystems, Inc. is a molecular diagnostics (MDx) company that develops and manufactures systems that can test for multiple disease indicators, industrial contaminants, food pathogens, or bioterror agents with significantly greater accuracy and speed, and at lower cost, than traditional diagnostic tools.
PuraCath Medical, Inc. is a medical device company developing safer and cost-efficient medical devices for the predominant form of home dialysis (peritoneal dialysis). Based in Berkeley, CA, PuraCath was spun out of Stanford University in 2010, and since then secured multiple SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and other grant financing to support its research and development. PuraCath has shown repeatable preclinical results of 99.99% reduction of infection (fungal and bacterial) with its functional prototype - a better performance than Purell hand sanitizer. Unlike existing technologies, PuraCath's proprietary clean catheter technology will save patients from life-altering infections, decrease infection-related costs, and allow the use of more effective therapies.
TECHNOLOGY
Chester is the Chief Evangelist for DataShapes. The DataShapes technology was developed in an incubator funded by Carl Berg, a self-made American businessman and venture capitalist who has been included in Forbes magazine's list of the 400 richest people in America numerous times. The platform is the result of ten years of research and investment of over $18 million. Later Carl's venture firm lead a $5 million investment for its commercialization.
DataShapes uses its unique Vector Learning™ technology to create SaaS solutions that transform unstructured data into rich, structured data for knowledge workers and domain experts working in security and defense, media and entertainment, healthcare and sciences, autonomous systems and manufacturing and logistics.
Chester is the Co-Founder of PV Tech Group, which provides a comprehensive range of services to photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers, including full-scale integration of photovoltaic manufacturing facilities (wafers, cells, modules), strategic planning, technical evaluation, process optimization and project management. With core competencies in PV process technology, manufacturing equipment, and operations infrastructure, members of the team have designed and installed systems in locations around the world including Greece, Russia, Spain and North America. Customers include CH2MHill, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), TransCanada and GT Advanced Technologies.
Chester is a founding sponsor of the Fraunhofer TechBridge Program and has been a valuable advisor to the TechBridge Program from its inception. Fraunhofer is Europe's largest application-oriented research organization and has established the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (Fraunhofer CSE), based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which works in close cooperation with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The TechBridge Program was established by Fraunhofer CSE to support the development of innovative clean energy technology companies.
Chester was Co-Founder and Chairman of Equity Solar. Equity Solar developed chemistries that improved the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Equity Solar's goal was to improve its customers’ cell efficiency and reduce their cost per watt through their innovative silicon surface solutions. The licensed technology was formerly a collaboration with NASA’s Glenn Research Center.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Chester was the Strategic Advisor to the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics’ Pompeii Sustainable Preservation Project (PSPP). Enclosed in volcanic ash since 79 A.D., Pompeii is a 2000-year-old time capsule threatened by decay. With over 2.5 million visitors per year, this UNESCO World Heritage site faces constant deterioration from visitors and climatic conditions. Chester is assisting Europe’s largest application-oriented research organization in the management and capital of the initiative to provide appropriate conservation, training and research necessary to preserve the former Roman city’s remains at the base of Mount Vesuvius.
INTERNET
Chester was the Founder and CEO of a Service and Application company during the height of the internet era with clients such as Benchmark Capital, Intel, PG&E, Compaq and Supercuts.
ENTERTAINMENT
Chester has substantial entertainment ventures in music, video games, toy and board games, and sports.
Music
Chester is the Personal Manager to Walter Afanasieff, a multi Grammy Award winning writer and producer who has worked with many leading artists including Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Josh Groban, Christina Aguilera and Luther Vandross. Walter produced "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion, one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Chester is the Co-Founder of Noisecastle III, a music production house that has exclusively licensed the entertainment rights to composer and producer Scott Bruzenak. Scott has worked with artists including JoJo, Dawn Richard and Diplo’s Los Angeles-based record label Mad Decent’s artist-Liz, who has been featured in Pitchfork, Vice, and Billboard. As a producer and songwriter, Scott has also worked alongside Babyface, Rodney Jerkins, Walter Afanasieff and Rob Cavallo. One of Scott's highlights includes producing and co-writing Daya’s double-platinum singles "Hide Away" and “Sit Still, Look Pretty”.
Chester exclusively licensed the entertainment rights to Austin Brown, the nephew of Michael Jackson. Austin has worked with Grammy Award winning Producer and Co-writer Rodney Jerkins and Walter Afanasieff, and recording artists Pharrell Williams and Q-Tip.
Chester has acted as an advisor to record producer, songwriter and musician Rodney Jerkins. A recipient of four Grammy Awards, Rodney has produced for Michael and Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Lindsay Lohan, Lionel Richie, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez,Whitney Houston, Cher, Lady Gaga, Will Smith, Aaliyah, Brandy Norwood, Monica, Britney Spears, The Black Eyed Peas, Keyshia Cole, Toni Braxton, Natasha Bedingfield, Jessica Simpson, Brian McKnight, Tamia, Utada Hikaru, Wonder Girls, JYJ, LMFAO, PLATINUM, Pussycat Dolls, Destiny’s Child, the Spice Girls, Danity Kane, TLC, and The Saturdays.
Toy & Board Games
Chester invented, patented, published and created Stealth Chess, a Game’s Magazine Top 100 game and Mensa Select Award winner.
Chester also invented, patented and published The Deck of Dice game, which has been used in international tournaments for Settlers of Catan and many casino reserves around the United States. He also invented, patented and published Megatak: The Electronic Prankster.
Video Games
As a video game developer, Chester developed software as the founder of a private development studio. Chester's company was responsible for providing art to the Reader Rabbit educational software series (including Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and 6th grade software programs), The Sims, The Sims House Party Expansion Packs, The Sims Deluxe Edition and Sim City 3000 Unlimited.
As the founder of a publicly traded video game publishing company, Chester's licensed and published video games included MTV’s JackAss, Frank Miller’s Sin City, Crusty Demons, Heroes of the Pacific, Lucinda Green’s Equestrian Challenge and GripShift. Chester’s company was also the exclusive distributor for Pocket PC and Palm games for EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf, EA Sports FIFA Soccer 2002, SIM City 2000: The Ultimate City Simulator and Ultima Underground: The Stygian Abyss. For more information, check out Chester's IMDb profile.
Sports
Chester is a Co-Founder of Zone Motion with former Kansas City Royals shortstop and 1985 World Series Champion Buddy Biancalana. Zone Motion is engaged in the delivery of cutting edge mental performance training for athletes. Buddy has worked with and used his Zone Motion Training System on many high profile athletes including Shane Baz, Scott McCaron, Charlie Hoffman, Adam Ottavino, Austin Davis, Jeremy Affeldt, Matt Cain and MLB Hall of Famer George Brett.
In the sports arena, Chester has acted as an advisor to Dallas Cowboys legend Tony Dorsett.
Collectibles
Chester amassed a baseball card collection with over 1,700 rookie Hall of Fame players all very low population and graded 10. The multimillion dollar collection was vaulted and sold by Goldin Auctions. The collection included the only SGC 10 1963 Pete Rose rookie that sold for over $200,000.
Tourism
Chester is a co-owner of Sail Maui, the fastest high performance sailing company in Maui. Sail Maui was originally established in 1994 and today offers sailing tours, destination snorkeling cruises, sunset sailing and exclusive private charters. With over 21 years of business experience, Sail Maui has become Maui's premier catamaran company, hosting thousands of trips across Hawaii. Sail Maui was awarded TripAdvisors Travelers’ Choice Award and is now in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. For more information please visit Sail Maui’s website.
Chester is a co-owner of Drift Coffee, a Lahaina based premium coffee and catering company.
MEMBERSHIPS
Chester is a Life Member of the Stanford Business School Alumni Association. Chester is a member of the Stanford Club of Marin.
Chester continues his executive education with online course work from Harvard Business School and was recently awarded for a course in Negotiation Mastery.
Chester is a founding sponsor of the Fraunhofer TechBridge Program.
Chester was formerly a member of the Buck Advisory Council (BAC) Member, a committee led by a diverse group of individuals from around the world in areas of government, business, pharmaceuticals, and law, among other fields. As a BAC member, Chester serves as an Ambassador to the Buck Institute, the nation’s first independent research facility focused solely on understanding the connection between aging and chronic disease.