Biofest Invest 2023 was held on April 19, 2023, the day before the start of San Antonio’s Fiesta celebration. Over 260 people registered to attend. Medtech, biotech, digital health, and pharma entrepreneurs made connections with investors, support organizations, and colleagues, as well as received helpful information to enable their growth. Forty-nine sponsors across the life science ecosystem supported this year’s event financially, with thirty of these sponsors choosing to host tables in the designated exhibition area. Informational sessions included: Raising Capital in Uncertain Times, Reimbursement Strategy for Startups and Entrepreneurs, How to Collaborate with the Military, How to Successfully Manage a Startup in a Challenging Economy Selling to Hospitals and Clinics, and Attracting Investors with your Management Team. 
After the initial networking session, the event started with remarks from Heather Hanson, president of BioMedSA, and Presenting Sponsors: Dr. Tom Evans, President of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW); and, Christopher Cauble, Principal of Harness IP law Firm, with a short video presentation from UT Health San Antonio. Hanson explained how BioMedSA implements its mission by supporting the companies in the region, promoting the region, and creating actions for growth that benefit the industry and community-at-large. She mentioned that the healthcare and bioscience sector of the 7th largest city in America, San Antonio, is the largest economic contributor of the city’s economy, with an annual impact of over $44B. This sector is well-equipped to assist entrepreneurs with collaborative access to clinicians, educators, researchers, industry and military health resources.
Fourteen companies from across the state of Texas were selected to participate in the Biofest Invest 2023 Best Pitch Contest. These companies shared their exciting technologies and investment opportunities to a group of judges, and a room full of interested onlookers and investors. Vascular Perfusion Solutions was selected as the Best Pitch of the day, winning a $10,000 cash prize and over $10,000 in in-kind prizes. Steradian Technology received the Runner- Up Pitch Award, winning over $5,000 of in-kind prizes from supporting sponsors. Investors were present from across the country and the investment spectrum (angel to VC), with investment histories of small to multi-million-dollar investments.
The day concluded with a networking Happy Hour, sponsored by VWR and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati LLP, bringing together speakers, startups, sponsors, and attendees for continued collaboration discussions.
