By Rory McCann, Director of Marketing, Conference Producer, LSN

The RESI Boston Innovator’s Pitch Challenge is now accepting applications! RESI is a leader in connecting early-stage companies with capital and licensing partners, but it’s the founders that present and pitch their way to success. Whether a first-time founder or a veteran, pitching can be daunting, but knowing how to speak to investors can give a founder an edge over a competing company. We’ve compiled a brief list of what-to-knows to help founders prepare for a successful pitch:

1. Know your audience. Who are you pitching to? What are their concerns and pain points that you can address? For instance, a VC may have different questions than an angel or family office. Additionally, are they specific to your sector or technology? Understanding their background with your product will help you tailor how you present the information in a way that they comprehend.
2. Know your format. Is this a warm introduction, cold call, or a pitch competition with limitations on how long you can speak for? Do you bring slides or share them ahead? Is it in-person or some virtual platform you need prior experience with? Knowing the format of the pitch is valuable because it saves precious time and shows investors that you are prepared.
3. Know your presentation. Make sure you are comfortable with the points you’re hitting and the amount of time you plan to spend on each point. We recommend that pitching companies touch on their product or tech, team, company model, existing traction, market landscape, go-to-market strategy, and of course, the raise ask and how it’s to be used. Practice these points so you are confident in your presentation and comfortable fielding questions.

Want to put these tools to the test? Join us September 21-22 for the onsite Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Boston. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so get yours in soon!

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

RESI returns to an in-person format after more than two years this September, and now is the time to start planning exhibit and sponsorship engagements to hundreds of RESI attendees at the hub of life science industry – Boston, MA. Whether service providers increasing deal pipeline, big pharma sourcing technology assets, or just looking to connect with early-stage startups at pre-clinical/phase I stage, RESI Boston is the place to get started! With 350+ life science investors and big pharma, 200+ early-stage company executives, and dozens of delegations from global incubators, universities, and organizations, there’s no better place to connect with ideal partners and start those meaningful conversations.

To showcase products and services, RESI offers a range of sponsorship opportunities, including dedicated workshops, exhibition tables, and newsletter interviews. Prominent logo displays throughout both the digital platform and onsite signage will greatly increase brand visibility, as well as program guide ads, onsite meal or material sponsorship, session signage, pitch judging, and more.

Check out sponsorship opportunities for RESI Boston, September 21-23. For more information about sponsorship, advertising, and exhibit opportunities, contact our dedicated BD team. We look forward to helping you meet your goals!

By Erika Wu, Business Development Manager, Global Tech Hubs, LSN

By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Specialist, LSN

The Redefining Early Stage Investment (RESI) conference series returns in-person to the Westin Copley Place in Boston, MA  September 21-22, with September 23 dedicated to virtual partnering available to in-person and virtual attendees. While the platform for hosting will change, the panels will continue to feature investors, industry experts, and seasoned entrepreneurs providing valuable insight to our conference attendees.

RESI Boston will feature fourteen live panels over two days onsite. The agenda features investor panels (Angels, Family Offices, Corporate Venture Capital) with focus on relevant topics in the life science industry with panels like Oncology Innovation, Medical Devices, Big Pharma, and Digital Health. Life Science Nation’s Tales from the Road panels will also highlight startup founders and entrepreneurs sharing their stories of success along the fundraising journey. This conference will also host panels dedicated to the AI and Longevity sectors, sharing these areas of life science with increasing traction.

As we are transitioning into a hybrid format, these panels will be live and available to view on our live agenda for two weeks after the conference. Register by July 1 to save $500 on super early bird rates.

By Rory McCann, Director of Marketing, Conference Producer, LSN

Last week, Life Science Nation (LSN) wrapped up Digital RESI June, its most recent virtual partnering event. As we look ahead to our first in-person partnering conference in over two years, we want to first discuss how to evaluate the success of previous meetings. You’ve done your research, messaged investors, and booked meetings, but after the curtain falls, how do you measure the success of your partnering?

1. Fit
   1. Was the meeting well-matched between a company and an investor who were matched in product and stage of development?
   2. Did they make any references to existing interest or past investments?
   3. Did they connect you with other peers or colleagues?
2. Feel
   1. Was the atmosphere pleasant and enjoyable?
   2. Were you confident answering questions and did the potential partner seem equally satisfied?
   3. Is this someone you would enjoy working with more closely?
3. Follow-Up
   1. Do they want to have a follow-up meeting?
   2. Did they express interest in signing an NDA?
   3. Did they engage you during networking activities and receptions?
4. Feedback
   1. Did you receive insights on your pitch, technology, or market?
   2. Was the feedback knowledgeable and relevant?
   3. Will it contribute to your future fundraising efforts?

While the success of a meeting isn’t based on an affirmative answer to each question, your honest response to each can help gauge the temperature of your meetings. A negative answer isn’t the definition of failure, either. It’s all data. Coming away from a well-fitting meeting without the feeling that the person or firm is one you’d like to work and spend more time with is valuable and worth further consideration. This is truly what makes successful meetings – not only the quality of the meeting itself but also the valuable information you need to make informed decisions moving forward.

Keep the conversations going and sign up for RESI Boston! Learn more about travel and accommodations and save on super early bird rates!