By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN
RESI South – March 25-27, 2024 – is more than an opportunity to meet one-on-one with investors and other key players in the life science space. The conference also offers quality workshops on many hot topics relevant to the early-stage space, sponsored by our many great partners. Building a successful startup requires a lot of pieces to be in place, and startup CEOs should take advantage of industry experts to avoid common pitfalls, as demonstrated by these workshops. The live format allows for interactive Q&A and makes the sessions more dynamic.
10 AM ET | Investing in YOU: Personal Wealth Planning for Founders
Integrating Science and Technology to Create Disruptive Innovations
With the recent (if not constant) ups and downs seen in the life science capital markets and banking sector, founders must begin with the entrepreneurial end in mind: a successful liquidity event for both investors and the founder. From deciding the legal structure of your company, to share structure, to tax considerations and estate planning and more, founders need to have a plan from the start. This panel includes experts from banking to wealth management, venture capital, and an entrepreneur.
Presenters:
- Maria Clarke, CFA, Executive Director and Banker, J.P. Morgan Private Bank
- Matthew Miessau, Principal, Epidarex Capital
- Marta New, Founder and CEO, Radyus Research
- Chris Sarlo, Founder & Wealth Consultant, Life Science Wealth
11 AM ET | Negotiating Term Sheets
What’s Best for the Company and What’s Best for You?
This interactive workshop, organized and led by McDermott Will & Emery, will provide wisdom to early-stage CEOs and management on the latest trends in term sheets, with a focus on founder and management equity opportunities. The workshop will cover common issues of concern to entrepreneurs (valuation/dilution, liquidation preference, board makeup, protective provisions, anti-dilution). Experts from the legal, investment and entrepreneurial community will discuss the interplay of financing milestones in the term sheet discussion.
Presenters:
- Brian M. Gordon, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery – Atlanta
- Jim Tobin, Vice President, Cardiovascular & Metabolism Scientific Innovation, Johnson & Johnson Innovation
- Sarah Sarb, Associate, McDermott Will & Emery
1 PM ET | Navigating the Startup Incubator, Laboratory, and Equipment Procurement MarketPlace
Startups that need access to incubators, laboratory space, and medical and research equipment have many options today. This workshop will map out how to determine the best opportunities for you and best practices to manage the process of evaluating lab space and procuring equipment. Topics discussed are the current laboratory and startup incubator space business models, equipment choices, and other auxiliary offerings like consulting and introduction to partners. How does a startup determine the best lab model and equipment for your current needs? Understand how to find and locate lab space and then ask the right questions to meet your current and future needs. The main topics to explore are inexperienced realtors with the cookie-cutter preconfigured lab space versus experienced customized midlevel and high-end build-out and the used versus new equipment. The workshop will explain what and where the pivot points are for shelling out the dollars for something new that will enhance and speed up product development and when to save money and go with the used, tried, and true. This workshop will empower you to navigate and make better choices and ask the right questions when choosing your laboratory and equipment providers.
Presenters:
- Barb Pearlman, Founder & President, CSP & CSL
- Andrew Lau, General Manager & Director of Operations, CSP & CSL
2 PM ET | Tales from the Road
Biotech and MedTech Innovators on their Fundraising Journey
The industry has quickly adapted to a “new normal” – entrepreneurs and investors meet virtually over digital platforms to discuss potential investment opportunities, and it is not uncommon to see entrepreneurs raise capital from investors they have never met before in person. That said, there is no doubt that the fundraising journey continues to be challenging for many. In this panel, you will be able to hear fellow entrepreneurs share their experiences, from successes to challenges.
Presenters:
- Greg Mannix, Vice President of International Business Development, Life Science Nation
- Anthony Desir, Director, Moexa
- Pepper Landson, CEO, Praetego
- William Tyler, CEO, Atara Labs, Inc.
3 PM ET | Global Partnering Campaign – Investor Landscape, GTL and CRM/GPC
Once you are ready to embark on your fundraising campaign, how do you know whom to target? What investors are the best fit for you, how do different investors invest and partner, and how do you get in touch with them? Identifying investors, learning about the differences between investor types, accessing a database to provide you with key information to filter your best-fit investors, and finally, using a CRM to manage your fundraise are critical to an efficient and successful fundraise.
Presenters:
- Claire Jeong, VP, Investor Research & Asia Business Development, Life Science Nation
- Karen Deyo, VP of Product, Israel Business Development, Life Science Nation
4 PM ET | It All Starts with a Story
The most successful entrepreneurs are always the best storytellers. Finding a way to naturally formulate your company’s unique story and portraying this through multiple modalities whether it be a 1-minute elevator pitch, or a 12-slide pitch deck is one of the most effective ways to get potential investors and partners on board with your value proposition. This bootcamp will cover the importance of entrepreneurial agency, finding your voice, and developing a compelling narrative for the different players that will emerge along a deal chain, and language tools to refine your hook. Investors always bet on the team, not just the technology, and if every member of your startup can tell any strategic partner a consistent story about your company and technology, you are on the right track to building successful relationships.
Presenters:
- Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation; Creator of RESI Conference Series
- Greg Mannix, VP of International Business Development, Life Science Nation
Sign up to participate at RESI South and learn more about sponsoring workshops at future events!
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