APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR LIFE SCIENCE VENTURE FORUM

Annual Pitch Competition Gives Funding Opportunity for Emerging Life Science Startups

Nashville, Tenn. — Life Science Tennessee (LST), a statewide member organization whose mission is to advance and grow the life science industry in Tennessee, today opens applications for the annual Life Science Venture Forum. The Venture Forum, sponsored by Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis and Launch Tennessee, is a unique pitch competition for Tennessee’s emerging life science startups that takes place during Life Science Tennessee’s annual conference, LSTCON.

LST is currently accepting applications from Tennessee-based life science startups to compete in this year’s Venture Forum, which will be held Nov. 14 in Nashville, TN. Companies may submit applications until Sept. 20. Finalists will be notified of their participation in the Venture Forum on Oct. 1. Interested companies can click here to view the application form.  

“Our Venture Forum is a great showcase for the emerging talent in the life science industry,” said Abby Trotter, Executive Director of LST. “We’re excited to open the application process to startup companies across the state who are making lifesaving innovations and discoveries.”

Last year’s winner, who received a $5K grand prize courtesy of Waller, was Nashville-based IDBiologics. The company, which grew out of the academic lab of James Crowe at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, discovers and develops fully human monoclonal antibodies for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.

The Venture Forum complements LST’s work building a pipeline of life science entrepreneurs through the Life Science Network. Done in partnership with Launch Tennessee, the Life Science Network pairs leading life science executives with promising new companies as they prepare to pitch their businesses for funding.

LSTCON is a powerful gathering for life science entrepreneurs industry leaders to share the latest innovations moving the industry forward. The conference brings together diverse constituencies from across the state, including AgTech, diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics and more who represent the far-reaching impact of the life science industry.

 

About Life Science Tennessee

Life Science Tennessee is a statewide, non-profit, member organization whose mission is to advance and grow the life science industry in Tennessee through advocacy, partnerships and alignment with economic and workforce development. Life Science Tennessee conducts business and economic development activities; advocates on behalf of the industry; educates the public about the benefits of life sciences research and product development; and provides a network for the exchange of ideas, information and opportunities. For more information, visit www.lifesciencetn.org.

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