ICYMI
If you missed the 2021 BioHive Entrepreneur and Investor Life Sciences (E&I) Summit or weren’t able to attend all the sessions, you can access the programming for a limited time. Registered attendees can access recorded sessions free of charge. Not already registered? You can register and access the program for $25.
The 2021 E&I Summit, presented by BioHive, in partnership with BioUtah and University of Utah’s Partners for Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology (PIVOT) Center, was held Feb. 25 and 26 and drew an audience of 240 attendees.
Entrepreneurs and Investors Come Together
On behalf of BioUtah, BioHive and the PIVOT Center, we want to thank those who joined us for the 2021 E&I Summit.
“This year’s Summit was all about momentum as we emerge from the pandemic and continue to expand our life sciences footprint in the state through initiatives like BioHive and support for our startups that are truly the engines of future innovation,: said Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah.
Attendees heard from phenomenal speakers and hot-topic experts, including J.P. Morgan market watcher, Monica DiCenso, leaders of Utah life sciences companies that have built companies from the ground up, such as David Bearss, Founder of Tolero Pharmaceuticals and James McCullough, CEO of RenalytixAI, and national and local investors who provided insights on investment options and sealing the deal. Over 40 early stage investors participated in the Summit.
BioHive Front and Center
BioHive was prominently featured as interim director, Katelin Roberts, provided an update on BioUtah’s new industry branding initiative, noting that the BioHive collective has bold plans to actively promote the industry, attract capital, support innovators, foster diversity and continue developing the workforce.
BioHive serves to give expression to the efforts of the state’s researchers, developers, and manufacturers of therapeutics, devices, and diagnostics.
Pitch Competition
A spirited Pitch Competition capped the two-day event as 10 Utah life sciences startups presented their technologies to a panel of judges. Our winner was PEEL Therapeutics. Placing second was Fluidx Medical Technology. Inherent Biosciences and NexeosBio tied for Honorable Mention. The winners earned valuable prizes from the law firm Schwegman, Lundberg and Woessner, marketing firm Serfwerks, NOWCFO World Trade Center Utah and The Shop. In addition to the 10 presenting companies, 13 other companies who initially applied to pitch posted information about their startup operations on the E&I Summit website.
“It was not easy to choose among such an amazing group of entrepreneurs,” noted Pete Deininger, founder and principal of Activist Consulting, who served as chair of the pitch track committee.
Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah, summed up the Summit with a message to investors: “Please know that the companies you’ve learned about today are just a slice of the innovation that Utah’s life sciences industry has to offer.”
Sponsors, Exhibitors, Testimonials
Sponsors and exhibitors helped assure a high quality event. We thank our sponsors including BioHive, JP Morgan, NOW CFO, Biotechnology Innovations Organization, Schwegman, Lundberg and Woessner, World Trade Center Utah, Tanner, Stoel Rives, RenalytixAI, Cambia Grove, Salt Lake City Corporation, The Shop, and the Governors Office of Economic Development.
Comments from LinkedIN
Kevin O’Neill with Forerunner Strategy said this about the Summit, “Dynamic environment generating tons of life sciences innovation!! We’ll be going back next year – in person!”
David Card with Alpine 100 said, “I’ve been paying a lot of attention to tech companies but take a look at the impressive data on the Life Sciences industry. Thanks for the opportunity to attend. BioUtah is doing a great job to advance mankind”.