The Art of Raising Money for a Life Sciences Company

By Yang (Kenny) Zhou, Vice President of Marketing, LSN

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Some of the biggest challenges executives of early-stage life sciences companies face is securing financing and forging their first licensing deals. Though they may possess deep scientific knowledge, finding the right investors and partners, and telling their story in a compelling way may require skills they have not yet developed. Life Science Nation works with entrepreneurs to tell their stories, identify potential investors and partners, and connect with them. Daniel Levine  of Levine Media Group interviews Dennis Ford, founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, for BigBio Communications about the journey and challenges life sciences entrepreneurs make when they set out to raise money, what investors care about, and what steps they can take to best ensure their success. Listen here:

Life Science Nation & Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) Equals RESI Success

Miriam-Kent
Miriam Kent
Interview with Miriam Kent, General Manager, Business Growth, Trade and Talent, Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA)

By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

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Caitlin Dolegowski

Life Science Nation (LSN) worked with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency and their MedTech Accelerator cohort in a hybrid Entrepreneurial Education program that culminated at RESI JPM San Francisco. We talked with Miriam Kent, General Manager, Business Growth, Trade and Talent at BEDA to learn more about their take-aways from the education course and RESI conference and hear what is next for the MedTech innovation coming from Brisbane.

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Introduce us to Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) and discuss your focus in the life science industry and how the MedTech Accelerator cohort came to be? 

Miriam Kent: General Manager, Business Growth, Trade and Talent at Brisbane Economic Development Agency: As Brisbane’s champion, BEDA works to enhance and promote the city’s reputation globally, drive visitation, and attract investment and talent in key growth industries.

We support domestic and international investors with full market entry and expansion strategies, while supporting local businesses to scale globally and grow through our accelerator programs.

BEDA’s MedTech Initiative is designed to elevate our exceptional local talent, to attract international investment, and fast-track life-saving medical products to the market.

Brisbane has a strong track-record for innovation thanks to our world-class research institutes and universities. We’re supporting the next generation of companies to stand out in a globally competitive market, to foster fresh developments and discoveries.

CD: BEDA brought a MedTech Accelerator cohort to work with Life Science Nation (LSN) in a hybrid (virtual and in person) educational program and wrapping the program at RESI JPM San Francisco, can you tell us about the startups that attended? 

MK: A rapid test for sepsis, a bionic voice box, and an inhaler for anaphylaxis are just some of the life-changing healthcare innovations produced by the Brisbane cohort.  We were extremely proud to see two Brisbane companies take out gold and bronze in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge.

Field Orthopaedics impressed the panel of seasoned investors and industry experts to secure the top prize for their innovative surgical screws and nails for treating complex fractures.

Meanwhile, Max Kelsen, claimed bronze with its machine learning solutions that are transforming the way scientists store, analyse and work with data to fast-track vital research.

Leading Brisbane MedTech companies – Clinials, De Motu Cordis, Laronix, Microbio and Midnight Health were also awarded finalist seats and were successful in attracting global investor and partner interest.

CD: Congrats to the BEDA cohort who did very well in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI JPM San Francisco, taking 1st and 3rd place! What aspects of the LSN educational program were most useful to help get the companies ready for JPM Week and pitching at RESI? 

MK: While these businesses are experts in their fields, knowing how to pitch their idea and who to pitch to on a global stage can be a challenge for some early-stage ventures looking to secure investment. With the support of Life Science Nation, our cohort members have been able to create strategies and connections to advance their global fundraising campaigns in a pivotal international market.

Throughout the program, the cohort has also benefited from mentorship from peak bodies like Life Sciences QLD, industry leaders like Vaxxas and ASX-listed Microba, as well as advice from local investors and venture capital groups.

CD: The educational program also featured executives from leading MedTech firms such as Stryker and Philips; how do you think their contributions shaped the success of the cohort at RESI JPM? 

MK: Insights shared by global leaders like Stryker provide invaluable context and underline the importance of a refined and strategic funding campaign.

Stryker’s recent investment in Brisbane’s Herston Quarter health precinct will help drive medical technology, innovation, and collaboration to improve patient outcomes and solidify our city’s capability and reputation as a global science and research leader.

CD: Did the mix of virtual content over several months and in-person tutoring at the start of the JPM Week work well? 

MK: The mix of virtual and in-person content ensures we can deliver an intensive, comprehensive learning experience, in a convenient way for leaders with busy schedules.

It is exciting to see the discussion and collaborations across continents.

CD: What is next for BEDA’s MedTech Accelerator cohort? 

MK: The feedback we’ve received has been hugely positive and we look forward to working with a new cohort for year two of our MedTech Accelerator in 2023.

The outstanding success of our local start-ups, in a competitive global market, is a testament to the quality of the research and development that’s happening here in Brisbane.

We’d like to thank Life Science Nation for partnering with us to support this vital industry.
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Introducing Digital RESI March Panelists

By Momo Yamamoto, Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Momo

Get ready as Digital RESI March is approaching within weeks! Life Science Nation (LSN) is excited to announce that our upcoming Digital RESI March, a fully virtual conference, will have 6 investor panels, giving you the latest insights on various early-stage life science industries. Panel topics include: Seed Funds, Impact Investors, Early-Stage Therapeutics, Aging at Home, and Health System Partners.

Life Science Nation’s upcoming 3-day RESI Conference will give you the chance to join robust discussions with seasoned investors. The curated panels are here to provide new entrepreneurs with advice and conversation on how to attract investors, reach fundraising goals, and make meaningful partnerships. The LSN team has recruited over 20 panelists from a wide range of sectors from traditional VC, corporate VC to foundations, strategics, angel groups, and big pharma. Note our Ealy Stage Therapeutics and Health System Partners panels as we brought them back to RESI March. As the 3-day conference will be fully virtual, take advantage of tuning in from the comfort of anywhere you are around the world!

Join the discussion with the panelists below for the latest scoop:

Joshua Barney Caleb Bell Gaye Bok
Joshua Barney
Member
Barrington Angels
Caleb Bell
Venture Partner
Corundum Systems Biology
Gaye Bok
Partner
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Fund (AIDIF)
Adam Hunke Brenda Irwin
Steve Curtis
Director, New Ventures
BrightEdge
Adam Hunke
Principal
Banner Venture Group
Brenda Irwin
Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Relentless Venture Fund
Rick Jones Megan Krench Yury Kukushkin
Rick Jones
Partner
BioAdvance
Megan Krench
Director of Investments
Sanofi Ventures
Yury Kukushkin
Managing Director
JDRF T1D Fund
James Mayer Brian Meshkin Ravi Mistry
James Mayer
Senior Manager, Investment & Venture Services
Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI)
Brian Meshkin
Managing Partner
Profound Ventures
Ravi Mistry
Investor, Individual Angel
3iPartners
Joseph Mocanu John Perez Martin Pfister
Joseph Mocanu
Managing Partner
Verge Health Tech Fund
John Perez
Managing Director
Ballad Health
Martin Pfister
Senior Investment Manager: Life Sciences
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Jack Rack Gomer Krish Ramadurai Brock Reeve
Jack Rack Gomer
Principal
MultiCare Capital Partners
Krish Ramadurai
Partner
Harmonix Fund
Brock Reeve
CEO and Co-Founder
Eos BioInnovation
Nadav Shimoni Yaniv Sneor Mayank Taneja
Nadav Shimoni
Head of Digital Health
Arkin Holdings Ltd
Yaniv Sneor
Founding Member
Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Mayank Taneja
Director of Venture Investments
OSF Healthcare Ventures

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Hot Investor Mandate: Europe-Based Investment Firm Seeks Opportunities in Healthtech and Digital Health, Investing Up to $10M Over the Company’s Life Cycle

An investment firm based in Europe has been supporting innovative Technology and Healthcare companies for over 20 years, investing over $350M in 60+ startups. The firm’s funds are backed by some of the most visible companies and institutions in the industry. The firm makes allocations from $500,000 to $10M over the life of the investment, and in the life science sector allocations are typically over $5m. The firm primarily invests in companies based in Europe or with ties to Europe. Allocations to US, Canada and Israel are possible.

The firm invests in the healthtech and digital health sectors and is opportunistic within these sectors regarding indication area and technology. The firm prefers to invest in early-stage companies.

The firm seeks highly qualified, ambitious management teams, and is typically an activist investor that takes a seat on a portfolio company’s board.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com.

The Art of Raising Money for a Life Sciences Company

Some of the biggest challenges executives of early-stage life sciences companies face is securing financing and forging their first licensing deals. Though they may possess deep scientific knowledge, finding the right investors and partners, and telling their story in a compelling way may require skills they have not yet developed. Life Science Nation works with entrepreneurs to tell their stories, identify potential investors and partners, and connect with them. Daniel Levine  of Levine Media Group interviews Dennis Ford, founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, for BigBio Communications about the journey and challenges life sciences entrepreneurs make when they set out to raise money, what investors care about, and what steps they can take to best ensure their success. Listen here:

Since Fundraising is a Numbers Game – LSN is Bundling Digital RESI March and Face2Face RESI June Boston

By Candice He, Vice President of Business Development, Global Investment Strategist, LSN

To keep the capital investors and licensing partners meetings numbers up Life Science Nation (LSN) has put together a partnering event bundle for the next two RESI conferences. Register for both Digital RESI March and RESI Boston June until March 13 and save up to $1,000.

Launching and executing a global partnering campaign means getting out into the market and socializing your company with potential partner meetings. Combining the Digital RESI March partnering event with the face2face RESI Boston June event gives our startup companies an opportunity to create some momentum as 2023 progresses.  LSN offers a compelling price point that will able our scientist entrepreneurs and fundraising CEOs a chance to get in front of the players in the market that they need to meet.

The Digital RESI March partnering event is a full-blown virtual conference with investor panels and workshops, as well as the best partnering available. RESI Boston June features all the same compelling sessions in person at Weston Copley Place, June 5-7. Both conferences include an investor and licensing partner database curated by LSN and we fill in all the buy-side partner profiles in our partnering system. This enables the sell-side startup CEOs to search and find the strategic partners they need to establish a dialogue with. This capability makes the RESI events unique and dynamic as they can really match based on fit which make the meetings so much better.

Startup CEOs need to get into the market and the bundle opportunity will increase their odds for fundraising success. For those CEOs who are not quite ready to start partnering meetings you can go and participate in the three-day, two hour a day, entrepreneurial education program from 11-1 which will guide you through setting up and launching a global partnering campaign.  Plus, you can also take advantage of the Audience Access Pass and go to RESI for content and education.  Let’s get busy!

Digital RESI March 14-16
RESIConference.com
RESI June Boston
Westin Copley Place – June 5
Virtual Partnering only – June 6-7
Standard Bundle (March 14-16 & June 5-7) Digital Bundle (March 14-16 & June 6-7)
STARTUP $2,190 $3,190 $1,690 $2,690
SERVICE PROVIDER $2,990 $3,990 $2,290 $2,290
TECH HUB (Including Startup Who’ve Raised Less than $2MM USD ) $1,990 $2,390 $1,390 $2,390
Contact us to discuss further

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How to Improve your Partnering Metrics at RESI

By Karen Deyo, Director of Investor Research, Israel BD, LSN

Life Science Nation (LSN) knows why startups fail at partnering events, and it is mostly a lack of experience and knowledge, which puts the startup out of context. For example, it starts with very simple things, such as not understanding the importance of the tagline. If you are an investor receiving hundreds of meeting requests, you do not have the time to do a deep dive into every message. The company that nets out who they are with a compelling tagline that can be quickly skimmed and then get an affirmative meeting request clicked is how it is done right. You should be able to get a meeting just by the potential partner reading your tagline. The same rules apply to your company’s elevator pitch. A tagline is 5-7 words that net out who you are and what you do. A potential partner should be able to read your tagline and have enough information to either take a meeting or go on and read more…your elevator pitch is 5-7 sentences that net out who you are and what you do in more detail.  Again, from reading the elevator pitch should be able to decide whether take a meeting or read more.

There are a lot of pitfalls and common red flags that companies can avoid when trying to make a good first impression. These include assuming the investor is completely ignorant of the market, claiming their technology will address a whole market (such as ‘cancer’), claiming to have no competition, and claiming a KOL is involved in their company when they are not. Do not underestimate the investors you meet and expect them to take everything you say at face value – they are well informed, and, if they run into something they aren’t sure about, they will check.

LSN has developed a 4-step process on how to request meetings at a partnering conference.  LSN knows that just asking for a meeting will get you minimal results. We use the subject line of the email as a key starting point because if you use the subject as a tool to get attention and generate meetings if used properly.

4-Step, Subject Line Process that we have pioneered and works with astounding results. We have tested this process hundreds of times. The results are usually going from 3-7 meetings to 12-20+ meetings just by having your story and narrative crisp and using our LSN meeting request process. The 4-Step, Subject Line process that starts with putting the following in the subject line.

  • First Attempt for RESI Meeting: Introduction meeting request of XYZ company at Up-and-coming RESI event
  • Second Attempt for RESI Meeting: XYZ Companies Founders, Management Team, KOLs, and How XYZ Make a Difference
  • Third Attempt for RESI Meeting: XYZ Company Innovative Technology Asset and Market Position
  • Fourth and Final Attempt for RESI Meeting: XYZ Company Strategic Partners and Current Projects

Remember that when launching and positioning your company you are going on a journey from regional to global. Sign up for the LSN classes that are available to help with your branding and messaging. LSN curriculum specifically revolves around Global Roadshow Preparation, getting a company’s story straight, developing a compelling narrative, canvassing a global target list of capital investors and licensing partners, and follow-up. RESI partnering events bring the LSN ecosystem to life and afford startups the opportunity to meet strategic partners five times a year which is a crucial aspect as the transaction does not get done by attending 1-2 events a year.

LSN’s Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) Conference series is a terrific opportunity to network and make connections with key players that can help move your company to the next phase. The RESI conference series, because of its unique focus and format, is by far the best opportunity for early-stage companies to meet and partner with investors and strategics. Partnering opens February 21 for Digital RESI, March 14-16 and your degree of success is directly proportionate to the effort you put into it.

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