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BioFest inVEST
Sky Room @ University of the Incarnate Word
April 19, 2023
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Watch the video from the winners of last year's pitch competition
What is BioFest Invest
BioFest Invest is an annual spring event that brings together potential investors from across the nation and Texas bioscience companies seeking investment funding, while sharing best practices, connections, and valuable advice. The day-long event includes relevant speakers and panelists on valuable topics relevant to bioscience companies. Organizations that provide support to bioscience entrepreneurs will also be on-site to provide information.
After a rigorous screening process, invited companies are able to present their pitch decks during the event. Investors are able to view company pitches and connect with company representatives live or virtually after the event. Judges will evaluate the pitches to award a cash prize of $10,000 and prize packages valued at over $10,000. The cost for companies to present is $150 for members of Bio organizations or $250 for non-members.
For more information on BioMedSA membership ($250 for bioscience companies with less than 20 employees), click here.
2023 Program Agenda
8:00 - 9:00
Networking/Arrival
9:00 - 9:15
Presenting Remarks
9:15 - 10:00
Raising Capital in Uncertain Times
- Moderator: Fraser Brown, Partner, Cooley
- Somer Baburek, CEO, Hera Biotech
- Bryan Chambers, Co-Founder & President, Capital Factory
- Benjamin Perkins, Managing Partner, pH partners
- Dan O’Connor, Managing Partner, Contour Ridge
MC: Melinda Villagran, Director, Community Health & Economic Resiliency Research Center, Texas State University
10:00 - 10:30
Reimbursement Strategy
- Leslie Wise, CEO and Managing Director, Evidencematters
MC: Melinda Villagran, Director, Community Health & Economic Resiliency Research Center, Texas State University
10:30 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - 11:30
How to Collaborate with the Military
- Moderator: Corey Levenson, Military Medical Innovation Director, VelocityTX
- Stephen Dalal, VP of US Research Development, Henry M. Jackson Foundation
- James Bynum, Professor, Vice Chair of Research, UT Health San Antonio
- Elizabeth Stoops, Program Manager, Military & Health Research Foundation
- Noor Obaidi, Senior VP of Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, The Metis Foundation
MC: Melinda Villagran, Director, Community Health & Economic Resiliency Research Center, Texas State University
11:30 - 12:15
Lunch
12:15 - 1:15
Company Pitches
Judges:
- Jose F. Moreno, PhD, CSRIC, Department Chair and Professor of Finance at HEB School of Business and Administration, University of the Incarnate Word
- Christopher Miller, Principal/Dallas Metro Office, Harness IP
- John Fritz, Co-Director TechNovum, UT Health San Antonio
- Robert Suffoletta, Managing Partner Austin Office, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
- Brian Kieser, Founding Partner, Fountainhead Investment Partners
- Matthew Landon, Co-Managing Partner, Contour Ridge
- Alberto Chan, Head of Finance & Corporate Development, Lifeblood Capital
MC: Christopher Cauble, Principal, Harness IP
1:15 - 1:30
Break
1:30 - 2:30
Company Pitches
Judges:
- Jose F. Moreno, PhD, CSRIC, Department Chair and Professor of Finance at HEB School of Business and Administration, University of the Incarnate Word
- Christopher Miller, Principal/Dallas Metro Office, Harness IP
- John Fritz, Co-Director TechNovum, UT Health San Antonio
- Robert Suffoletta, Managing Partner Austin Office, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
- Brian Kieser, Founding Partner, Fountainhead Investment Partners
- Matthew Landon, Co-Managing Partner, Contour Ridge
- Alberto Chan, Head of Finance & Corporate Development, Lifeblood Capital
MC: Christopher Cauble, Principal, Harness IP
2:30 - 3:15
Managing Startups Through a Challenging Economy
- Moderator: Stefanie Young, CEO, iNNOV8 Place
- Paul Attar, President, Bridge PTS, Inc.
- Maria Zannes, CEO, bioAffinity Technologies
- Bob Hutchens, CEO, StemBioSys
- Ann Salamone, Former President, Rochal Industries
MC: Darrel Johnston, Director of Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering, Southwest Research Institute
3:15 - 3:30
Break
3:30 - 4:15
Selling to Hospital Systems
- Moderator: John Pham, Dean of the School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of the Incarnate Word
- Yuriy Onyskiv, Principal, Orlando Health Ventures
- Carl Negley, Administrator, San Antonio Vascular and Endovascular Clinic (SAVE)
- Tara Psencik, CEO, Turn Medical
MC: Darrel Johnston, Director of Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering, Southwest Research Institute
4:15 - 5:00
Attracting Investors with your Management Team
- Moderator: Brian Kieser, Founding Partner, Fountainhead Investment Partners
- Marty Landon, CEO, BioBridge Global
- Neil Parikh, Partner, HealthQuest Capital
- Randi Brosterman Hutchens, President & CEO, Actionable Transitions LLC
- Giovanni Lauricella, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Lifeblood Capital
MC: Darrel Johnston, Director of Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering, Southwest Research Institute
5:00 - 5:15
Presentation of Award
5:15 - 7:00
Networking Happy Hour
BioFest Invest Pitch Competition Companies
After a rigorous screening process, the following companies from across Texas were selected to present.
Companies
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Fill out application by Friday, February 24, 2023. Awards include a cash prize of $10,000 as well as prize packages valued at over $10,0000.
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Upon acceptance, submit payment ($150 for BioMedSA, BioHouston, BioAustin, BioNTX, and Bio El Paso-Juarez members / $250 for non-members). BioMedSA membership is $250/ year for startups with less than 20 employees.
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Upon acceptance of application, the following opportunities will be available for all participating startups: – A pitch practice session and content review through the UTSA SBDC Technology Commercialization Center (required). – A one-hour free consulting review session with The Neutrino Donut, LLC to review the SBIR market and potential opportunities.
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Pitch competition details will be sent to all accepted applicants. The cash prize will be mailed to the winner and connections made to the prize package service providers after the event.
*BioMedSA membership is $250/ year for startups with less than 20 employees. See all benefits of membership here or email info@biomedsa.org for more information.
We are no longer accepting applications. You are still welcome to register for the event.
Need to find a place to stay while in San Antonio? Click below for special hotel rate offers available for BioFest Invest!
Interested in a Bioscience tour of San Antonio? Sign up below! Space is extremely limited so be sure to register early!
2023 HAPPY HOUR SPONSORS
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