Who’s Getting Funded?

April 21, 2022April 21, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

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

Life Science Nation (LSN) has built a funding superstructure over the past decade, but what is the true metric of success in the complex early-stage life science ecosystem? The number of companies funded, and the amount allocated are terrific metrics, but when consumed as comprehensive and independent of context, this data can be misleading and unhelpful. Let’s dive into LSN’s tracking of these companies and discuss the value this data holds and how it can work for you.

As previously mentioned, LSN tracks companies funded in part through participating at the Redefining Early Stage Investment (RESI) partnering conferences, subscribing to the LSN Investor Database, or using our Branding, Messaging and Matching services. The organic nature of partnering, along with its typical 9–18-month timeline, makes it challenging to track and verify, therefore, this data is typically self-reported by our partners and verified through public press releases. As such, we estimate this list makes up only about a third of these deals with LSN as part of the strategy, as many cannot be publicly disclosed. The funded partner list consists of nearly 85 startups across early-stage life science and healthcare with deals valuing more than $1.3B that have used LSN’s products and services as part of the campaign strategy. Check out the basic structure of these deals below:

Chart-1

From the data, we see that the 4Ds (Drugs, Devices, Diagnostics, and Digital Health) that LSN focuses on are broadly represented in the number of companies that receive funding, but they are not the only companies that investors are pursuing. Additionally, therapeutics leads the pack, despite the reputation that pre-clinical, early-stage therapeutics are too great a risk for investors to jump into. Learn more about that in our recent interviews with RESI Innovator’s Pitch Challenge winners: OncoXome CEO, Auriane Gamelin and Prolifagen CEO, Claudine Bruck.

Chart-2

We see that early-stage deal flow is alive and well in the life sciences, but not all capital is the same. Know what you want but keep an open mind when meeting with relevant and knowledgeable partners who are a fit for you. Early-stage fundraising is a critical point in a startup’s development and growth, but these partnerships will last beyond the round and will play a large part in bringing your company forward.

The tools LSN offers are powerful, but what these funded companies also have in common is leg work. LSN helps companies build their global target list of capital investors and licensing partners through services, data, and events, but it’s the founders and their stories that shine in those meetings. Every successful raise has dedicated, hard-working, creative, and resourceful founders and team members doing research, booking meetings, and pitching to investors who are a fit for their product and stage of development. LSN has long provided guidance and resources to help entrepreneurs, but it’s their own work that gets them over the finish line.

Has LSN played a role in your fundraising or investing? Tell us your story! We want to add your deal to our list and share what you have learned throughout the process. If you’re interested in learning more about what LSN can help you achieve in your own global fundraising campaign, connect with our business development team!

Want to learn more? The Business Development team at Life Science Nation is available to answer questions and share additional details to help you meet your partnership goals!
International	East Coast (USA) & China	Midwest (USA) & Canada	West Coast (USA)

Greg Mannix Vice President International Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me	Candice He VP, Business Development & Global Investment Strategist Book a Meeting Email Me	Antoinette Lowre Manager of Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me	Alexander Vassallo Manager of Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me

What’s New for Tech Hubs at RESI?

April 21, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

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

At the Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conferences, tech hubs represent a global ecosystem of accelerators, incubators, non-profits, universities, and regional and government organizations who set up their early-stage life science startups for success with their entrepreneurship journey. RESI has hosted tech hubs ranging from National Institute of Aging (NIA), Lyon Biopole, IntuitiveX, University of British Columbia, and more.

Through RESI partnership, tech hub constituents gain access to resources beyond partnering, such as Life Science Nation (LSN)’s Investor Database, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC), and free workshops to help develop strong relationships with investors and secure necessary early-stage funding.

This year, LSN has developed updated and personalized programs to further benefit tech hubs and their constituents. Check out a preview of our updated 2022 programs to promote tech hub involvement and accelerate growth of each individual constituent. Each option is available for tech hubs to take advantage of to add value to their constituents who raised less than $2M:

For Tech Hub Constituents:

50% discount for constituent registration at any virtual or hybrid RESI conference (constituent must be from LSN’s tech hub partners)
Group Fundraising Database Package (3 companies minimum):
- 4-month access to the Investor Database
- Free constituent registration + pitching slot at any virtual or hybrid RESI conference

For Tech Hub Staff:

Bronze Sponsorship ($2,500 annually):
- Free tech hub staff registration at any virtual or hybrid RESI conference
- 50% discount for constituent registration at any virtual or hybrid RESI conference
- Dedicated pitch session
- Exhibition slot

If you’re a member of a tech hub or looking to add value to your members, reach out to see which offerings best fit your needs. From lab to clinic, and providers to patients, LSN is accelerating the growth and success of companies emerging from tech hubs. Schedule a meeting with Erika Wu, Business Development Manager, Global Tech Hub at Life Science Nation.

Stories from the Pitch

April 21, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Rory McCann, Marketing Manager & Conference Producer, LSN

Pitching is unavoidable when raising capital, and the process of pitching to early-stage investors can be incredibly daunting, especially for first-time founders. Life Science Nation (LSN) is hosting another Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) at Digital RESI, June 7-9. This opportunity provides sector-based pitch sessions for 4-5 founders to pitch directly to a panel of investors in their field. LSN also provides free prep resources including a webinar reviewing the pitch session format and materials. The business development team at LSN also offers complimentary review of finalists’ marketing materials.

While pitching can be scary, it doesn’t need to be, and LSN assists founders by providing the tools necessary for them to be successful. Check out stories from previous IPC winners to learn how they approached pitching at RESI.

Be sure to join the next free bootcamp: Preparing to Pitch at RESI on Wednesday, April 27 at 1 PM EDT. Applications to pitch at Digital RESI June close on Friday, April 29, so get yours in today!

Last Chance to Save $300

April 14, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Antoinette Lowre, Manager of Business Development, LSN

When was the last time you attended a partnering conference? Fundraising is a numbers game and deals can take up to 9-18 months, so getting out (virtually or in-person) to meet with investors frequently can give you a competitive edge. Whether you’ve already added RESI to your partnering toolkit or not, Digital RESI, June 7-9 can offer value with the opportunities to meet virtually with 400 investors and strategic partners and even pitch live to a panel of investor-judges. Register before this Friday, April 15 to save $300 with the super early bird rate!

The super early bird is our best deal for a 3-day standard partnering registration. Startups are often strapped financially while prioritizing milestones and growth, which is why it’s important that RESI features deals to make partnering accessible to all. Additionally, Life Science Nation (LSN) hosts FREE branding and messaging fundraising bootcamps and Innovator’s Pitch Challenge info sessions to help answer any questions you may have about pitching at RESI.

	Fundraising 101: Avoiding Pitfalls and Improving the Odds
Karen Deyo, Director, Investor Research, Israel Business Development, Life Science Nation Candice He, Vice President, Business Development, Global Investment Strategist, Life Science Nation This bootcamp is designed to help scientist-entrepreneurs navigate the world of fundraising. It starts out by debunking some commonly held misconceptions about early-stage startups and fundraising, followed by tips on how to improve your chances and increasing investor visibility.

	Preparing to Pitch at RESI
Candice He, Vice President, Business Development, Global Investment Strategist, Life Science Nation The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) is an opportunity for early-stage companies to gain additional exposure to conference attendees, pitch directly to a panel of relevant investors, and participate in a live Q&A session. This bootcamp will walk through the process of preparing your pitch materials and what to expect in a live pitch session, including frequently asked questions from investor judges.

	Strategies for Successful Partnering
Alexander Vassallo, Manager, Business Development, Life Science Nation Joey Wong, Analyst, Investor Research, Hong Kong BD Life Science Nation This bootcamp is a fan favorite with tried-and-true tips to make your partnering experience exceptional, letting your technology, product, and team take center-stage. Whether booking 1-on-1 meetings or pitching to a panel, these strategies will help you prioritize the details that make a difference in telling your story to potential investors and strategic partners.

If you’re looking to take your partnering to the next level, consider adding the premier package to increase your access to investor profiles ($500). Premier partnering grants you access to investor mandates in the LSN Investor Database, which includes direct emails to support your target list and facilitate year-round connection.

Know Your Competitive Landscape

April 14, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Greg Mannix, Vice President International Business Development, General Manager Europe, LSN

Do you know the players in your field that are developing similar technologies, or different technologies for the same application? Do you understand how your technology compares to those potential competitors? These are issues investors will want to see you have a grasp on, so having a clear vision of your Competitive Landscape will add a lot of value when you are pitching for investment.

Life Science Nation (LSN) offers valuable resources to early-stage companies as they seek funding and develop their strategies to grow and progress. To track your competitive landscape, LSN has a powerful business development database that tracks more than 60,000 companies across all the verticals of the life sciences and all stages of development. In just a few clicks, you can see your own competitive landscape.

Once you’ve seen the competitive landscape, it’s important to understand how to communicate your unique value. We can also help you understand and effectively communicate this, extracted in part from your better picture of the Competitive Landscape, through LSN’s Branding & Messaging consulting services. Experts will work with you to develop optimal marketing collateral for you to use in your communication with investors and partners, increasing your odds of success. Hear from Reglagene CEO Richard Austin on how he learned to tell his company story and how it impacted his early-stage fundraising.

Finally, you can put your enhanced market comprehension, communication skills and story to the test in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) at Digital RESI, June 7-9. The IPC is a fantastic showcase for founders who participate in a live Q&A from investors and strategic partners from different sectors in life science and healthcare. Investors frequently ask pitching founders about their unique value and market competition. A keen and well-communicated understanding of the competitive landscape shows investors that you don’t just function within an industry – you know it.

This knowledge can help you position yourself, not just accurately among competitors, but as someone who really knows their industry. To learn more about your competitive landscape or about any products or services mentioned, reach out to connect with LSN’s dedicated business development team.

Want to learn more? The Business Development team at Life Science Nation is available to answer questions and share additional details to help you meet your partnership goals!
International	East Coast (USA) & China	Midwest (USA) & Canada	West Coast (USA)

Greg Mannix Vice President International Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me	Candice He VP, Business Development & Global Investment Strategist Book a Meeting Email Me	Antoinette Lowre Manager of Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me	Alexander Vassallo Manager of Business Development Book a Meeting Email Me

Preparing to Pitch with the End in Mind

April 14, 2022June 15, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Rory McCann, Marketing Manager & Conference Producer, LSN

Bold Therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharma startup developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to combat drug resistance in cancer and infectious disease. At Digital RESI March, Bold Therapeutics founder Russell McAllister met success at the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) and is sharing his perspectives from preparation to pitch to follow-up conversations. If you’re actively fundraising or considering pitching at RESI, check out our conversation and learn how Russell leveraged, not only his company, but his own unique experience to stand out at RESI.

IPC applications are still live until Friday, April 29. Get your application in by Friday, April 15 to save on super early bird rates!

AI & Longevity at RESI

April 7, 2022April 7, 2022 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Specialist, LSN

The Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conference series proudly highlights active investors, early-stage founders, and industry leaders advancing drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital health. RESI is unique in its focus on early-stage life science and healthcare, but in recent years, has gone even further to cut out space specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) and age-tech innovation. To do this, RESI conferences feature specialized content for startups and strategic partners in these industries through dedicated panels and pitch competitions.

Innovative advancements within these industries and a deep dive into insights around how to navigate the early-stage investment ecosystem specific to conversations happening in AI and Longevity arenas are a major addition and highlight at RESI. Panels provide discussions with investors, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners answering questions about early-stage fundraising and age-tech and AI innovation.

View sample panel sessions from Digital RESI March:

LONGEVITY

Digital Health & Wellness
Silver-Tech Focusing on Preventative Care
According to the US Census Bureau, the 65+ population grew by 34% since 2010. These seniors are prioritizing preventative care and the market is responding with products and services focused on staying healthy, specifically those focused on daily exercise, diet, and other factors impacting independence and longevity. How can startups in this booming industry stand out to investors?

AI

Defining AI Investment
AI-Exclusive Investors Share Their Perspectives
Hear from leaders investing exclusively in AI products across drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital health. Learn more about what AI-exclusive investors have to offer healthtech startups. Learn what entrepreneurs can gain from partnerships that understand their tech and how to take it to the next level.

The lens on age-tech and AI continues at our next conference, Digital RESI, June 7-9. The focus on these markets will include panel topics:

LONGEVITY

Tuesday, June 7 – 2PM EDT | The Neuroscience of Aging
Aging Impact on the Nervous System

Age-tech startups are addressing negative impacts of neurological aging, such as cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. The goal of many of these early-stage companies is to stimulate neurogenesis and enhance brain plasticity to combat these conditions.

Thursday, June 9 – 11 AM EDT – Age-Tech Care Management
Technology Improving the Lives of Older Adults

Older adults are looking to age-tech to provide freedom, medical access & adherence, safety, wellness and even companionship later in life. Age-tech allows seniors, and their caregivers make personalized choices about their own aging journeys. Hear from investors specializing in longevity innovation.

AI

Wednesday, June 8 – 11 AM EDT – AI vs. Life Science
Which Comes First in Early-Stage Investment?

How to prioritize tech-first vs. biology models? How can each model leverage their position in the industry and be successful in the early stage? How can startup founders balance the “bio” and “tech” and highlight their strengths to investors? What are some strategies to help fundraising executives target the right investors for their company and pivot their pitch to each?

Thursday, June 9 – 2 PM EDT – Team, Tech, & Traction in Early-Stage AI
Building Your Startup as a Triple Threat

Early-stage investors will take a chance on a team, tech, or traction. It’s rare to find all three in a company seeking Seed to Series B funding. This discussion will explore the value of each to help early-stage startups highlight their unique assets and improve their position in weaker areas.

Register by April 15 to save $300 with our Super Early Bird rates.