Happy 2019 from the Life Science Washington Institute!
2018 was a busy and productive year for LSWI. I wanted to share some of the highlights and accomplishments and let you know what we have planned for 2019.
2018 In Review:
Signature Events:
We kicked off 2018 with the Washington State Life Science Entrepreneurship Summit in January. This was an opportunity for the statewide life sciences start-up community to come together and address the major hurdles currently facing our ecosystem. This full day event featured hands-on exercises and thought-provoking discussions aimed at inspiring participants to think about the current state of their entrepreneurship community and how it may differ from their ideal. Learn more HERE. One of the most fun things we did at the Summit was to have a typewriter poet available during our closing reception to write fun little poems based on stories people told her. The one below seems to really capture the spirit of the event. Click HERE to see the full collection of poems.
The other large event we hosted in 2018 was our “Best of the Northwest” Showcase event where we brought together 20 up-and-coming regional life science startups and a room full of potential investors. Each start-up presented a 60 second lightning pitch and had a tradeshow-style table to show off their innovative products and services. The audience choice “Best in Show(case)” award was presented to SethIO, makers of the smartphone stethoscope. Read more about the Showcase: HERE.
Ongoing Entrepreneurial Education Programs:
As our mission is to provide support to life science entrepreneurs and start-up companies via educational, economic and other resources crucial for their success, we continued to host educational seminars in our SBIR Assistance, Health Economics and Career Consulting programs. Our mentoring program, the Washington Innovation Network (WIN), has now helped 48 companies by providing a team of experienced mentors to help them meet business milestones. We also continue to provide free start-up assistance on a bi-monthly basis. Learn more or sign up for a consult HERE.
BARDA DRIve Accelerator:
LSWI also became one of eight inaugural accelerators to be selected by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the new Division for Research, Innovation, and Ventures – and known as “DRIVe.” Part of our role is to source transformative new technologies in support of the “Solving Sepsis” and “Early Notification to Act, Control, and Treat (ENACT) initiatives. More information available here and at DRIVe.hhs.gov
2019: What’s to Come:
In early 2019 will be hosting events for our SBIR and Health Economics programs. This year we will be hosting events both in Seattle and Spokane. Our Intensive SBIR/STTR Workshop: NIH Focus will be held in Seattle on February 5th and in Spokane on February 26th. Details and registration: HERE. Our Health Economics program will kick off with “Demonstrating the Value of Healthcare Innovations: Making Healthcare Work for Your Company” January 24th in Seattle and February 20th in Spokane. Details and registration: HERE.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, contributed to our programs or just cheered us on. Our goal is to support and grow the life science startup ecosystem. Your success is our success and we cannot do it without you.