Perfect Pitch: 18 early-stage biotechs showcased in special session at BIO-Europe Spring®

Pushing its reputation for taking novel approaches, Karolinska Institutet is bringing together the best and the brightest from Sweden’s early academic innovator ecosystem to test their skills in convincing business development executives to support their projects.

Some 18 companies from across the country will come together for a competitive session called Start-up Slam: Sweden on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at BIO-Europe Spring^® in Stockholm.

“Developing a pitch is all about competence, convincing people that you can execute on your plan,” said Lily Cortese, who directs Business Operations and Project Management at the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Centre, London, and is sponsoring the session.

“Investors are going to think about the business aspects of that asset and the scientists are going to be looking at the scientific aspects of the asset. Ultimately we are all investing in the people, in a belief that this team will be able to do what they say they can do.”

The session aims to help these entrepreneurs up their game, to hone their skills for pitching their project and win the confidence of stakeholders, she said.

According to Mark Farmery, Senior Manager for Business Development with KI Innovations, the startup companies eligible to pitch have been formed in the last three to five years, are developing a new therapeutic product or medical technology platform that is validated in the lab and have aggregate funding of USD 10 million or less.

“It’s going to be a great event, and a fun way for us to show off our collaboration with Karolinska Institutet,” said Cortese. “There will be judges, and I’ll be co-hosting with Mark. BIO-Europe Spring is always keeping things new and fresh, and we’re really pleased to be part of that effort as well.”

After prizes are awarded, the competition will be followed by networking opportunities with the entrepreneurs during an evening dinner reception hosted by Hagastaden Property Developers with Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Science City at the prestigious Aula Medica where Nobel lectures in Physiology or Medicine are given, followed by an After Hours Making the Connection Networking Reception hosted by J&J Innovations.