We want to congratulate our August Startup San Diego Member of the Month, Ivana Mikic, CEO of Sarpeda! Thank you, Ivana, for being part of the startup community and being a Member of Startup San Diego.
Learn About Ivana
Ivana Mikic is the Co-founder and CEO of Diffine, a consulting company whose AI projects span the drug discovery pipeline, from spatial biology to small molecule lead discovery and optimization. She also founded and leads Sarpeda, Diffine’s spin-off, built around a core insight: microscopy images are sparse in information content, and unwanted background signal is structured and therefore predictable. Sarpeda employs AI to extract more biological information and cleaner signal, and to accelerate imaging, without new hardware or reagents.
Her work sits at the intersection of imaging, AI, and the life sciences, spanning high content screening, digital pathology, microphysiological systems, and spatial biology. She has built and led AI and engineering teams, and co-founded Image Informatics, leading it through its acquisition by BIOVIA/Dassault Systèmes.
Ivana is a member of the Women in Bio Boardroom Ready 2025 cohort and the Biotech CEO Sisterhood, and a Fleet Science Center trustee.
A Word from Ivana
“San Diego is a great place to build, with world-class science and a strong startup culture, and Startup San Diego is one of the reasons why. So many people I meet here are genuinely eager to help and contribute. I learn a lot, and every conversation is valuable, whether it creates a new connection, sparks an insight or idea, or simply leaves me encouraged by the enthusiasm and the sense of community.”
Become a Member of Startup San Diego and Get Involved in the Community
Get access to events and a network of founders, investors, builders, and startup professionals. Become a Member of Startup San Diego and get deeply involved in the startup ecosystem with complimentary tickets to Last Fridays Co-Working Days, Deep Dive Sessions, 1st Mondays Networking and Expert Panels, 1:1 Founder Mentoring, and the annual San Diego Startup Week.
