BioCap (part 2) In Conversation with Geoff Davison

Just over 2 weeks to go, what can you expect from BioCap 2018?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the planning for this years’ BioCap Conference, a lot has happened in the weeks since then. We have a great line up of speakers at BioCap 2018, a range of really exciting prospects will be showcasing their business propositions, these include several pre-start/start up spin outs from University members of Bionow, and everyone at the conference will benefit from the investor insight talks, which will provide some really useful insights for investing in SME life science companies.

In terms of networking we have the investor dinner which delegates can attend for only £50 plus the partnering system launches shortly enabling meetings to be booked in advance. The event is now almost here, we have a great programme (see http://www.bionow.co.uk/events/2018biocapconference.aspx), the speakers are ready, delegates and exhibitors are registering, the Bionow team look forward to welcoming you to BioCap 2018 on the 27th September. If you are still undecided then some further information is below.

Throughout the day we will have several talks that will both inspire and inform, these are the Investor Insights. We’ve invited a number of speakers to discuss what they look for in an investment opportunity, the experiences they have and the advice they can give. It is worth remembering, that when an investor backs a company, they are not just bringing money, they are often bringing guidance and know-how, and this can be worth a lot more than the initial investment. The investor insight talks promise to be a fascinating look into the Life Science sector from the perspective of the investor.

What’s hot in Tech and Digital? There is a session on this subject, and several presentations from exciting companies involved in this area. The interdependence of tech and life science is only going to grow in the years ahead, and the companies invited to present at BioCap 2018 are extremely innovative, tackling wide ranging problems. Digitalisation will provide huge benefits in time and money for research, but also due to the nature of tech and the way it filters through into everyday life it can have a major positive impact on everyday peoples’ lives.

Investors really value getting in early on up and coming opportunities, and there are going to be plenty of them at this years BioCap Conference. The University members of Bionow conduct cutting edge research, and regularly generate concepts that become spin out companies, Bionow has invited several of them along to showcase their ideas at the Conference. If you are an investor looking for what is coming next down the line, you won’t want to miss this session, I’ve read overviews on each of these companies, and they do look like very exciting prospects.

As mentioned in my previous blog, we have the pitching competition. The competition closed on the 7th September, and the successful entrants will be invited to pitch to the largest gathering of Life Science investors in the North of England. This is a exciting opportunity for these companies and also for investors. Central to Bionow’s mission as an organisation is the support of the North’s Life Science sector, and one of the most important ways we do this is by providing a platform for emerging Northern Life Science companies to showcase their innovative medical devices, therapeutics, diagnostics and services.

Raising capital is one of the greatest challenges that businesses in our region face, and it is crucial to the success of the North that this is tackled and alleviated, BioCap makes a significant contribution to this problem by brining such a large group of specialist investors to the North of England.

On top of the showcases, pitching and great range of interesting and informative speakers, there are significant networking opportunities, it’s going to be a day well spent for all attendees, lots of talking points and lots of people to talk to, I look forward to seeing you there. All the best Geoff