Biofest Days was a week-long celebration of the Healthcare and Bioscience industry held from April 16-April 20 that highlighted the assets and support structure of a thriving and growing ecosystem. Centering around the Biofest Invest startup conference and pitch competition, BioMedSA extended the invitation to local, regional, and national organizations to participate in Biofest Days in the week leading up to Fiesta®.
Included in Biofest Days were two tours of regional assets – Biofest Tours (visiting 7 industry assets) and Biofest Military Tours, a behind the scenes look at military health research facilities at the largest military health complex in the U.S. A special informational session was conducted by Globiox on quality management systems for medical devices. Multiple networking opportunities were hosted by Scorpius Manufacturing, Harness IP, and Precision Group. Additionally, Healthcare Think Tank presented an excellent gathering of thought leaders addressing the question, “Where is Healthcare Going?”
Biofest Days included events spanning the pipeline of new innovators. From VivaScience SA, a family friendly event at the Witte Museum to the Biomed Career Fest presented by the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio (GSBS), participants were able to explore the breadth of education in the industry, starting with curiosity and an investigative mind. VivaScience SA participants were able to enjoy hands on experiments, science inspired art, a science fair for middle and high school students, poster presentations by graduate students, music and more. Many of the activities were hosted by local universities. Graduate students from across Texas attended Biomed Career Fest to hear from industry career panels, obtain professional headshots, learn interview skills and compete in an elevator pitch competition.
Biofest Invest brought together startups, investors, and resource providers to encourage connections that foster growth. The Best Pitch winner, NeuraStasis from Houston, shared their plan for a medical device that could improve healthcare outcomes for patients who had experienced a stroke. Runner-up Best Pitch winner was VitaBone from San Antonio, presented their solution for non-healing bone loss. Informational sessions included: Alternative Funding Mechanisms, New Federal Changes Affecting Startups, Current Trends in Investment, Increasing Revenue Through the Military Health Market, and What Does it Take to Get Acquired? An ecosystem overview was presented by Heather Hanson, highlighting BioMedSA’s role in the growth of the healthcare and bioscience ecosystem: supporting the ecosystem and its partners, catalyzing actions for growth, and promoting the region. Participants were able to explore the wide variety of supporters of the ecosystem by visiting exhibitor tables throughout the event.
Biofest Days truly had something for everyone.
For more information or to be included for consideration in Biofest Days in future years, please email info@biomedsa.org.
