Next Phase Newsletter

Interview with Afreen Allam, Founder & CEO at SiNON Nano and Laura Gunter, President at NC Life Sciences By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

Afreen Allam

Laura Gunter

Caitlin Dolegowski

The next opportunity to participate in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge will be at RESI Europe and the deadline to apply has been extended until May 15th.

The IPC increases companies’ visibility by giving them the opportunity to pitch to a select investor panel and live audience, present a poster in the RESI Exhibition Hall, and get featured in the RESI Program Guide and Newsletter. Finalists in the IPC make more investor connections at RESI thanks to this additional visibility. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and you can apply here.

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Afreen, please introduce us to SiNON Nano Sciences and the company’s technology.

Afreen Allam (AA): SiNON has pioneered a revolutionary approach with our patented tunable carbon nanoparticle, serving as a ‘Trojan horse’ drug delivery platform. This innovative technology facilitates the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier, unlocking new possibilities in treating a myriad of neurological diseases. Our platform empowers pharmaceutical companies to encapsulate their therapeutics, enabling precise drug delivery to targeted sites within the brain. As the nanoparticle traverses the barrier, the drug payload is released, offering a potent solution for enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects and toxicity. This breakthrough holds the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide.

CD: Laura, please introduce us to North Carolina Life Sciences. There is exciting technology coming from your state. Four companies were presenting at RESI South from North Carolina. What stands out for you about the technology in North Carolina and SiNON Nano Sciences in particular?

Laura Gunter (LG): North Carolina has tremendous universities and early-stage companies doing exciting research in so many areas. The companies that presented at RESI from NC are working in diagnostics, drug delivery, AI, infusion devices, and neurological conditions, including sleep monitoring and Alzheimer’s. SiNON Nano Sciences is particularly exciting as a platform technology that has the potential to change how we can treat CNS diseases. The ability to take a drug across the blood-brain barrier is a game changer.

CD: What were your experiences at the conference? What worked well for you both at RESI South?

AA: Attending the RESI (Redefining Early Stage Investments) conference was an enriching experience for me. It provided a unique platform for networking with investors, fellow entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The event offered valuable insights into the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

One of the highlights was participating in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, where we had the opportunity to showcase our company’s vision and technology to a panel of esteemed judges and investors. Winning the first-place prize in the pitch competition was a significant achievement for us and served as validation of the potential impact of our work.

Moreover, the conference sessions and panel discussions were highly informative, covering a wide range of topics such as fundraising strategies, regulatory considerations, and market trends. Engaging with other attendees and hearing their perspectives provided valuable learning opportunities and helped us refine our business strategy.

Overall, the RESI conference provided a conducive environment for fostering collaborations, exploring partnerships, and gaining visibility for our venture. It was an invaluable experience that has contributed to the growth and advancement of our company in the life sciences ecosystem.

LG: I thought it was a great first opportunity to bring investors to the Southeast and see the breadth and depth of technologies in the SE. While several of the NC companies were from the RTP area, we also had a company from Wilmington, NC, so it was nice to highlight the geographic diversity as well. The feedback from our participating companies was good and it sounded like several made some relevant connections.

The panels were also informative and gave entrepreneurs a chance to hear from investors, in addition to pitching to investors. The quality of the presenting companies was impressive as well.

It was, of course, very exciting to have SiNON win the pitch competition. When I first talked to Afreen about the company, I could tell it was special, so was glad to be able to bring them to RESI and have others learn about the company as well.

CD: What stage of fundraising is SiNON Nano Sciences in and what are your goals in 2024?

AA: SiNON Nano Sciences is currently in the seed stage of fundraising. Our primary goal for 2024 is to successfully secure funding for our seed round, which will enable us to advance our research and development efforts. Specifically, we aim to conduct the two main studies necessary to determine whether we are positioned as a platform or an asset company. Additionally, we plan to continue building strategic partnerships, expanding our network within the life sciences and healthcare sectors, and further refining our technology to address the unmet needs in treating neurological diseases. Our overarching goal is to advance our innovative drug delivery platform to improve the lives of patients suffering from debilitating neurological conditions.

The terms for our upcoming seed raise entail a $3 million SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) agreement with a 20% discount and a post-money valuation cap of approximately $15 million.

CD: Congratulations on your first-place finish at RESI JPM’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC)! There were 43 companies in the IPC. What do you think was the key to your success and standing out at RESI JPM?

AA: Thank you! Winning the RESI JPM’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge was an incredible achievement for us. I believe the key to our success and standing out at RESI JPM was our ability to clearly articulate the unique value proposition of SiNON Nano Sciences. Our focus on developing a patented carbon nanoparticle drug delivery platform, specifically designed to overcome the challenges of crossing the blood-brain barrier for treating neurological diseases, resonated strongly with the audience and judges. Additionally, our ability to highlight compelling data supporting the efficacy and potential impact of our technology played a crucial role in distinguishing us from other companies. Finally, our team’s passion, dedication, and clear vision for the future of SiNON Nano Sciences also contributed to our success at RESI JPM’s IPC.

CD: What advice would you like to give to fellow entrepreneurs about RESI conferences?

AA: For fellow entrepreneurs attending RESI conferences, I would offer the following advice:

1. Prepare a compelling pitch: Craft a concise and engaging pitch that clearly communicates your company’s value proposition, market opportunity, and traction. Highlight what sets your company apart and why investors should be interested.
2. Network strategically: Take advantage of the networking opportunities at RESI conferences to connect with investors, industry experts, and potential partners. Be proactive in initiating conversations and building relationships that could benefit your company in the future.
3. Showcase data and results: Investors are often interested in seeing tangible evidence of progress and potential success. Make sure to showcase any compelling data, results, or achievements that demonstrate the viability and scalability of your business.
4. Be open to feedback: Embrace feedback and use it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Investors may provide valuable insights and perspectives that can help refine your business strategy and pitch.
5. Follow up promptly: After the conference, follow up promptly with investors and contacts you met to express gratitude, provide additional information, and continue the conversation. Building and maintaining relationships is key to long-term success in fundraising and business development.

LG: I am not sure I can improve upon Afreen’s assessment and advice. Preparation is key and having a succinct message that clearly articulates the technology, its stage, its value proposition, etc. will win the day. Investors are trying to cut through a lot of noise and pitch, like SiNON’s that told the story in an easy to follow but highly competent and technical manner can really make the difference.

Follow up to networking and developing relationships is also key. The investor who is not necessarily interested today may be interested in the future as further development takes place or that investor may know others who would be good fits for the technology.

Lastly, while the pitch competition is a terrific opportunity, I would suggest that companies attend to network and learn, even if they choose not to do the pitch competition. That way, they can get a feel for partnering and using the system to be successful.

By Rikki Piccirillo, Marketing Manager, LSN

We are excited to introduce RESI Barcelona 2024, where innovation converges with investment in Europe’s thriving life sciences ecosystem. Join us as we explore the dynamic opportunities highlighted by Greg Mannix, VP International Business Development at Life Science Nation.

RESI Barcelona 2024 combines in-person networking with a hybrid digital format, offering unparalleled access to over 300 early-stage companies. From the Innovators Pitch Challenge to engaging panels and workshops, RESI Barcelona promises a platform for startups to showcase cutting-edge technologies and connect with investors seeking the next big breakthrough.

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Interview with Erika Tyburski, CEO at Sanguina and Maria Thacker-Goethe, President & CEO at Georgia Bio By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

Erika Tyburski

Maria Thacker-Goethe

Caitlin Dolegowski

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Please introduce us to Sanguina and the company’s technology (and curious about the naming of your company).

Erika Tyburski (ET): Hi Caitlin. Sanguina means blood in Latin and is also derived from the English word sanguine- or relaxed. I co-founded Sanguina to make accessible tools to learn more about your health. We have a focus on blood health, and making tools that tell you something about blood. We are passionate about blood because it often changes first in response to a stress on the system- a cold, a deficiency, or a chronic disease. This is why blood testing is often used for diagnoses. Our first platform is called AnemoCheck for accessible and rapid anemia management. We recently received FDA-clearance on a home test for hemoglobin level determination and have a complementary smartphone application for determining likelihood of anemia based on the paleness of fingernails via a fingernail selfie.

CD: Maria, please introduce us to Georgia Bio. RESI South took place in Atlanta and there were many companies from Georgia represented RESI. Tell us about the life sciences ecosystem in Georgia and exciting companies emerging, such as Sanguina.

Maria Thacker-Goethe (MT): Georgia Bio is the life science association focused on enhancing the innovation environment in Georgia. Our main goals are advocating for favorable policies, linking members with funding and partners, and supporting workforce development in the state.

Sanguina is one of our standout companies, but it’s not alone. At the RESI conference, we also had Andson Biotech, Aruna Bio, and Emtherapro presenting to the 350 attendees. These companies represent our growing ecosystem. The life sciences sector in Georgia has seen significant growth, with a 20% increase in jobs since 2015, totaling 11,225, and generating a total economic impact of $50.2 billion, according to Biopharma Reporter. Georgia is emerging as a prominent life science hub.

CD: Maria, I know you have been to RESI before, Erika, this was your first conference. What are your experiences at RESI? What worked well for you both at RESI South?

ET: The event was very efficient. The networking platform enabled meetings to be made ahead of the event and the rapid 20-minute meetings allowed me to meet with many parties in a short amount of time. Talk about bang for buck! I found myself re-connecting with people that have seen me grow locally and meeting new people in the southeast region. I particularly enjoyed the pitch session and constructive questions given to me by the digital health panel.

MT: First off, I had a great experience at the RESI South event last month. My team and I had more than a dozen meetings with life science companies in the state. Although Georgia has all the seeds needed to grow a robust ecosystem, one of the big gaps is venture funding. That is why the state associations partnered with Life Science Nation. We are excited about our partnership and look forward to even stronger future events.

CD: Erika, what stage of fundraising is Sanguina in and what are your goals in 2024?

ET: We have closed our first priced round. Sanguina is fortunate enough to have completed our raise and we are looking to go to work and generate recurring revenue this year and next. Sanguina is primarily a B2B company, so I am aiming to onboard several new customers and execute contracts for custom versions of our products. I look forward to profitability, with my next round focused on growth.

CD: Congratulations on your second-place finish at RESI JPM’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC)! What do you think was the key to your success and standing out at RESI JPM?

ET: I’ve pitched a lot. I’ve been given thousands of questions on Why? How? When? And I’ve learned in that time to be as honest as possible. I’m not afraid to say: “I’m working on that answer”, while also acknowledging that “I’ve faced many challenges, and know how to overcome” I think investors and experts in my industry appreciate my candor. Additionally, I learn by doing, so throughout the years, I haven’t been afraid to Just Do It. I’ve learned how to run clinical studies, how to execute a regulatory strategy, how to raise money, how to close that first customer.

CD: What advice would you like to give to fellow entrepreneurs about RESI conferences?

ET: Have confidence in what you do and know. Be humble and talk to everyone, you never know what one new connection will lead to. And use the networking platform, of course!

MT: My biggest piece of advice is to use the partnering system to meet investors. Over 200 investors attended RESI South, either in person or virtually, which the Southeast has never seen. These investors want to meet with you to get to know you and your business.

If you’re interested in the next upcoming Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, you can apply for the RESI Europe 2024 IPC taking place June 17-19 with a 1-day in-person conference follow by 2-day virtual partnering at Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so get your application submitted today!

Interview with John Schindler, CEO at Liquet Medical and John Newby, CEO at Virginiabio By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

John Schindler

John Newby

Caitlin Dolegowski

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Please introduce us to Liquet Medical and the company’s technology. How did Liquet Medical come to be?

John Schindler (JS): Liquet Medical is a development stage medical device company. Our first product to market is the Versus™ Catheter – a localized drug delivery catheter to treat blood clots in the lungs, a condition known as Pulmonary Embolism, or PE. This device has the ability to track the patient through real-time biometric data monitoring, allowing the physician to optimize the delivery of medication and the duration of the therapy. It will speed up time-to-treatment, lower hospital costs, and has the potential to reduce procedural complications and readmission rates.

The genesis of our company is rooted in a long-term business relationship with the inventor of the Versus Catheter, Dr. Patrick Kelly. Dr. Kelly is a serial inventor and practicing Vascular surgeon in Sioux Falls, SD who has routinely treated patients suffering from PE and decided there was a better way. I have worked closely with Dr. Kelly on several projects over the course of a 30+ year career in the medical device industry. This one being very personal to me in that my own mother passed from a Pulmonary Embolism shortly after the birth of my sister. As you can imagine, this has had a profound impact on my career and is what drives my passion to bring this particular innovation to the market.

CD: John, please introduce us to Virginia Bio. Virgnia had four companies participate in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI South, what technology in the life sciences are you excited about coming from Virginia?

John Newby (JN): Virginia Bio is our Commonwealth’s life sciences trade group, representing and supporting a diverse group of med tech, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, digital health and other companies. We partner with regional and national coalitions to bring capital and impactful partnerships to our biotechs to grow Virginia’s $8.4 billion life sciences industry. In addition to exciting technologies like Liquet’s medical device, we are also particularly excited about our growing advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capability that is a national leader in the onshoring of essential medicine production.

CD: John Schindler, this was your first RESI conference. I’d like to ask both of you about your experience at RESI? What was effective for you at RESI South?

JS: What I enjoyed most was how intimate this meeting felt despite the large number of attendees. The poster session gave attending companies a great opportunity for investors, fellow entrepreneurs, and ecosystem partners to understand and spend time together in an easy informal way. The pitch sessions were also a nice opportunity to share our innovation and coupled with a QA session led by panelists to help guide the conversation, provided opportunities for us to expand the audience understanding of the innovation. Also, providing opportunities for us to engage with investors in the partnering platform and also over breakfast, lunch and during the evening reception was outstanding. I managed to connect with many of the investors I was interested in meeting, and we’ve been able to follow up with them since. And lastly, I took a lot of notes listening to the curated panels and found the Seed Fund and VC panels particularly interesting. You all did a great job of attracting a lot of high-quality panelists for us to learn from.

JN: This was the first time that a coalition of seven southeastern states partnered to bring this well known investor conference to our region. RESI South brought over 200 investors into contact with a nearly equal number of life sciences companies, allowing scores of new connections and (ultimately, we hope) investments. The pitch competition that John competed in allowed our Virginia companies to both showcase their technologies and gain broader view into the work being done across our region. Our coalition’s goal in bringing RESI to Atlanta was to showcase all of our companies and increase investor visibility of our region. To this end, RESI South was more than effective.

CD: John Schinder, what stage of fundraising is Liquet Medical in and what milestone are you working toward currently?

JS: We are in the midst of closing our Seed round prior to a Series A offering early next year. And the major milestones ahead of us are our submission for our FDA 510(k) in the next few months and our expected FDA clearance later this year. We have an open convertible note and if any of your readers are investors interested in joining this round, let’s find some time to connect and discuss.

CD: Congratulations on your third-place finish at RESI JPM’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC)! What do you think was the key to your success and standing out at RESI JPM?

JS: Thank you! It was great fun to share our innovation. I think the big key to our pitch success was having the opportunity to spend time with the meeting attendees around our poster before the pitch presentation. It made it easy to get them excited about what we are working on. I would encourage future companies to invest in the quality of their content. It’s a great tool and opportunity and I think what made the RESI meeting so interactive and successful for us. So, I’d give the credit to RESI for providing the additional visibility that ultimately contributed to our success.

CD: Another question for both of you. What advice would you like to give to entrepreneurs about RESI conferences?

JS: My advice would be not to fret about the 4-min time allotment for your pitch presentation – it’s plenty of time to share your innovation and ample available time in the QA to clarify your story further. Also, there is plenty of time to meet investors during the poster sessions, over lunch, and during the reception.

JN: An entrepreneur’s time an energy is very limited, and not every investor conference is likely to yield the results sought in terms of investor contact. RESI South was a unique opportunity for our entrepreneurs to attend an event that aimed for and achieved a nearly 1:1 ratio of investors to companies, and offered numerous opportunities to either pitch or present their technologies to those same investors. We understand that RESI conferences, generally have the same aims as RESI South in terms of opportunities for happy “collisions” with investors. Accordingly, for entrepreneurs looking to maximize their available time, RESI conferences may be a great choice.

If you’re interested in the next upcoming Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, you can apply for the RESI Europe 2024 IPC taking place June 17-19 with a 1-day in-person conference follow by 2-day virtual partnering at Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so get your application submitted today!

RESI Europe registration opens at super early bird rates. Register now to save $500 by Tomorrow, Friday, April 12.

Dr. Gennady Bratslavsky

Interview with Dr. Gennady Bratslavsky, Co-Founder & Partner at Avicella Capital By Momo Yamamoto, Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Momo Yamamoto

Hear from Investor RESI attendee, Dr. Gennady Bratslavsky, Co-Founder & Partner at Avicella Capital, and learn more about Avicella Capital’s investment interests and gain insight into the RESI experience from an investor point of view. Dr. Bratslavsky touches on different aspects of the RESI conference and how this works well for him in sourcing early-stage investment deals.

Click Here to Listen the Interview

Susan Nemetz

Interview with Susan Nemetz, CEO at Corval By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

Caitlin Dolegowski

Caiti Dolegowski (CD): We are pleased to have Corval back as a Redefining Early Stage Investment (RESI) sponsor for LSN’s upcoming RESI JPM conference in San Francisco! For those who may not have connected with you at RESI Boston in September, introduce us to Corval. 

Susan Nemetz (SN): Corval® is a strategic planning platform that enables teams to quickly create a tailored multi-year commercialization map with a companion budget and resource plan. We specifically designed Corval for biopharma companies (or their consultants) that need the highest quality expert thinking but don’t yet have the internal capabilities to manage early commercialization priorities.

Corval is pre-populated with 75,000 data points informed by industry benchmarks across different biopharma companies and therapeutic areas. Biopharma leaders just need to guide the platform with their unique clinical and regulatory milestones, asset assumptions, and company information then let Corval do the heavy lifting. The Corval platform quickly builds a 3-5 year strategic commercialization map, budget, and hiring plan with multiple executive views. The integrated logic allows them to quickly update the full plan when timelines and data change as they always do.

CD: Susan, you are the Founder & CEO of Corval, tell us more about yourself and how Corval came to be. 

SN: I have been in the biopharma industry my entire career across different roles and company types. I have seen the amazing contributions our industry makes in science and for patients and I have seen the inefficiency, some of which can be addressed through technology.

In addition to founding and leading Corval, an innovative software company, I am the CEO and Founder of The NemetzGroup, a successful, strategic commercialization consultancy. The NemetzGroup has been instrumental in supporting the evolution of over 200 biopharma companies from startup to publicly traded and the development of numerous assets from targets to approved, life-saving treatments. With more than 35 years of corporate strategy, commercial, medical affairs, business development, and operational experience, C-suite leadership teams rely on our thought partnership and mentoring to achieve goals across all stages of drug development.

Prior to launching The NemetzGroup in 2003, I held various corporate roles including as Vice President, Global Commercial Strategy, and then Vice President of International Commercial Operations at Millennium Pharmaceuticals. Previously, I was fortunate to progress through multiple commercial leadership roles at DuPont Pharmaceuticals that culminated in a role as Executive Vice President of the cardiovascular and imaging franchise. I also serve as an advisor of Life Science Cares, a collective effort of the life science industry to eliminate the impact of poverty on Boston neighborhoods and I am on the Board of Directors of Good Shepherd Community Care. Good Shepherd is dedicated to delivery of the highest quality of palliative and hospice care, support, and education for those experiencing serious illness or loss.

CD: What can RESI JPM attendees learn from you and who are you looking to connect with at RESI? 

SN: We are interested in speaking to anyone who has a vision for their asset and needs to make sure all the steps and resources required are accounted for so their drug will get to the patients who need it. Specifically, pre-commercial companies at about P2 who need to understand what it takes to commercialize in either a go-it-alone or partnering scenario. Often these companies are also looking for funding and need to tell the story regarding use of proceeds to commercialize their asset. In summary, we are looking to speak to companies who are building plans that involve one pre-commercial asset or portfolio of assets and may also involve modeling or comparing different scenarios to inform strategic decisions.

Since we were last at RESI, we have introduced an enterprise offering of Corval which means the platform can also transform how service providers, VC/PE firms support their clients. Our platform supports firms to:

• Create a market advantage by engaging prospects with a dynamic, real-time strategic planning tool 
• Provide an innovative, collaborative, and flexible client/consultant interface for planning, support, and transparency across all functions 

• Analyze and manage their portfolio across all accounts to maximize service offerings to guide clients and support relevant business development

CD: Who among Corval’s staff will be attending RESI? 

SN: Our Business Development Representative Nigel Cawthon and Head of Engineering & Technology, Paul Sohal, will be attending the RESI JPM conference. They attended in September and had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the connections they made. They are thrilled to be back.

CD: What worked well for Corval at RESI September and what connections were made? 

SN: With the pre-conference app, RESI made it effortless for us to connect with likeminded individuals and anticipate meaningful conversations before we even entered the building. The entire event was incredibly well-organized with engaging breakout sessions on industry trends and thought leadership—as well as funding opportunities and grants for early-stage companies. Both during the conference and after in follow-up conversations, RESI was a tremendous opportunity to showcase and illustrate Corval’s technology and innovation in biopharma commercialization. 

CD: RESI hosts early-stage startups, what is the optimal timing for a biopharma company to prepare for the commercialization process? 

SN: Begin planning early, but stage-gate your implementation. Most failed launches are becausecritical steps were not completed early enough, or they missed some entirely. 

Early-stage biopharma often ignores the need or kicks the can down the road in later P3 because they are only focused on the science. But studies have proven that the companies that DO engage in early strategic planning are much more likely to reach their financial goals and serve the patients’needs that are a focus of their science. I cannot stress enough the importance of planning asearly as possible (typically around Phase 2) so commercialization thinking can inform in allaspects of clinical development resulting in a strong differentiated product profile that is the foundation of success in the market at launch and over the product life cycle. This is why we all do what we do in this industry. Use Corval, and you will save time, money, energy, and, just maybe, your sanity! 

Greg Mannix

Interview with Dennis Ford By Greg Mannix, Vice President International Business Development, General Manager Europe, LSN

Dennis Ford

Gregory Mannix: Please Explain why Life Science Nation’s Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conferences are a good strategy for a startup seeking capital investment and licensing partners. 

Dennis Ford: It is very hard navigating all the partnering events and conferences if you are a startup with a limited budget, and trying to figure out which events will be best and most fruitful for you and your firm. 

 The first thing is getting in context; if you are raising a seed, Series A or Series B round, it can take 9-18 months to complete a round. Secondly, it is a numbers game. You must increase your visibility to as many potential players as possible, and it is not enough to go to a few events a year. You must be committed to being out in the marketplace, kissing many frogs, hearing many nos, and not being deterred. Third, this is not a part-time undertaking. It takes dedication to do a global fundraising campaign. It is a journey; you will have ups and downs along the way and must persevere.  

GM: What is your fundamental advice to startup CEOs? 

DF: My advice to startup CEOs is: every time you stick out your hand, you will be giving up as much as 20% of your company, so make sure you do the math and know how much cash you need for the next 24-36 months so that you have cash and runway to make your milestones and get your data for your next inflection point before the next round.   

GM: What is the distinct differentiator for a RESI Partnering Event? 

DF: RESI is unique because it has been a dedicated partnering event for over a decade, and while other events may have 10-15% investors in attendance, 50% of RESI’s attendees are investors. This bodes well for booking meetings with investors who fit your product and stage of development. Follow the money! 

 RESI is cross-border; we have three events in the U.S., one in Europe, and one in Asia, and it is also cross-silo, meaning that the buy-side attendees are seeking early-stage drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital health (the 4Ds) startups for their portfolios. A startup can follow the RESI events every few months worldwide and use RESI to execute their global roadshow.  

GM: Who attends a RESI event? 

DF: The audience is well defined. As stated, the attendees are split 50/50 between sell-side startups across the 4Ds and ten categories of buy-side investors and licensing partners. This makes RESI partnering events incredibly interactive, and deals get done. LSN estimates that we have helped over 400 startups raise over $5B. The startup-to-investor ratio has been the same for the last ten years. The investors range from angels and family offices to early-stage VC and PE, Big Pharma and MedTech strategics, and corporate and government funders. 

GM: Startups are frustrated with the extravagant pricing models to attend events today. What has LSN done to help with this pricing pain point? 

DF: LSN introduced a flexible pricing model during COVID-19 that coincided with our virtual conferences that have morphed into present-day pricing. The challenge is finding price points that fit a startup company’s ever-changing stage of development.   For example, if you are a new startup, you can buy an audience access pass for $595. Although you will not have access to the partnering system, you can experience all the investor panels and workshops firsthand to see how other startup CEOs leverage RESI in their fundraising campaign.  They can attend pitch challenges to see how other start-up CEOs pitch to investors and subsequently observe investor reactions and questions. Attending RESI and learning through observation is invaluable for a newcomer.  

Presently, RESI is a three-day event with one face-to-face and two virtual days, so we adjusted the pricing so a startup can purchase a one-day, in person event with partnering for $1,795. Alternatively, the standard three-day package costs $2,295, which allows flexibility and is very competitive with the extravagant pricing that is out in the event arena today. Lastly, for a company that wants to participate in partnering, but cannot physically attend the conference, they can register for a virtual-only pass that costs $1,195, allowing them to connect with investors via videoconferencing.