info@nsiv.org
North Shore InnoVenturesNorth Shore InnoVenturesNorth Shore InnoVenturesNorth Shore InnoVentures
  • Home
  • About
    • What Is
    • Impact
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
  • Incubation
    • Facilities
    • Equipment
    • Programs
  • Companies & Community
    • Incubated Companies
    • Resources
    • Our Sponsors
  • News & Events
  • Get Involved
    • Sponsorship
    • Mentorships
    • Internships
  • Contact
Next Previous

Marty Visits the JPM Conference

17 January, 2018

Having heard tales of the JP Morgan Healthcare conference for years, when I was invited by Angus McQuilkin of McDermott Will & Emery to attend all the events they were sponsoring, I finally found the value proposition compelling.  After two days of very relevant programs, random interactions with anyone in a suit, and glad-handing at networking receptions, I have dozens of business cards from people that I will actually follow up with.

Take more business cards than you think you’ll need – lots more!

Incubator vs. Incubator Ping-Pong Game JPM 2018

Incubator vs. Incubator JPM 2018

A shout out to McDermott Will & Emery for two really excellent programs, one on digital health and another on cross-border financing deals, which confirmed my notion that these are so incredibly complicated that it’s a wonder any ever get done. They also had the best food and the best reception venue: SPiN – where I played ping pong with Steve McCarthy and Maryann Picard of M2D2 – see photo!

The area around Union Square in San Francisco looked like the aliens had landed – thousands of dark suits stand out in a city where the dress code is fleece, denim and sneakers.  The actual JP Morgan conference is invitation only (10,000 very well-connected people – with guards at the door to keep out the rest of us).  But the myriad events surrounding it are where most people spend their time.

Thrive Biosciences and Atentiv, both NSIV graduates, presented at the Biotech Showcase (Jan 8-10)) which is a good place for already funded companies to seek their Series B round and they facilitate partnering meetings.  The RESI Conference  (Jan 9) had 500 startups speed-dating with 500 investors – not bad odds.   The Fierce Biotech breakfast was a bargain and quickly oversubscribed.  There are plenty of other satellites, like the StartUp Health Festival.  The “Ultimate List of Satellites” is worth a look: http://xpansa.com/blog/ultimate-list-of-jpm-2018-satellites/

Note that the law firms, pharma companies and bio organizations sponsor many freebie events – with lovely food and good California wine – for which invitations are easily obtained if you know someone.  Hemmie Chang invited me to the Foley Hoag/MassBio reception which was packed and a great place to make good contacts.

I made a number of good connections for NSIV companies and met several people from companies hoping to come to the US from Europe.  Every random encounter I had at these events turned out to have some value.  You can’t be reticent about striking up a conversation with a stranger at this conference – even in the coffee shops.  It’s a networking bonanza.

However, the way to make the most of this conference is to set up meetings with people who plan to be there – even if they are from here – well in advance.  Tom Farb, CEO of Thrive, had 15 one-on-one meetings set up on Monday through the Biotech Showcase.  Chris Stepanian and Brent Buchine of WindGap, another NSIV graduate, were meeting with investors they’ve already been talking with.  NSIV members Ashok Chander and Mike Manak of Cellanyx, Gitte Pedersen of Genomic Expression, Colin Carpenter of Siris Medical, and Gary Magnant of Tribiotica all had several meetings with potential investors scheduled.  Those who have gone to the conference year after year can give you good advice about how to maximize the value.

Two words capture it: Plan Ahead.

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NSIV
100 Cummings Center
Suite 451C
Beverly, MA | 01915

Tour our facilities and be sure to ask about our cutting-edge equipment.

Schedule Now

Post Archive

  • February 2019 (2)
  • January 2019 (2)
  • November 2018 (2)
  • October 2018 (5)
  • August 2018 (3)
  • July 2018 (4)
  • June 2018 (3)
  • May 2018 (2)
  • April 2018 (4)
  • March 2018 (5)
  • February 2018 (2)
  • January 2018 (6)
  • December 2017 (2)
  • November 2017 (6)
  • October 2017 (4)
  • September 2017 (1)
  • August 2017 (1)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (2)
  • April 2017 (3)
  • March 2017 (4)
  • February 2017 (2)
  • January 2017 (1)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (2)
  • August 2016 (4)
  • July 2016 (1)
  • June 2016 (7)
  • May 2016 (4)
  • April 2016 (2)
  • March 2016 (6)
  • February 2016 (6)
  • January 2016 (3)
  • November 2015 (4)
  • October 2015 (2)
  • September 2015 (3)
  • August 2015 (2)
  • July 2015 (1)
  • June 2015 (8)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (2)
  • January 2015 (2)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (4)
  • October 2014 (5)
  • September 2014 (3)
  • August 2014 (3)
  • July 2014 (2)
  • June 2014 (6)
  • May 2014 (5)
  • April 2014 (3)
  • March 2014 (7)
  • January 2014 (4)
  • December 2013 (2)
  • November 2013 (2)
  • October 2013 (6)
  • September 2013 (1)
  • August 2013 (1)
  • July 2013 (1)
  • June 2013 (3)
  • May 2013 (2)
  • April 2013 (8)
  • March 2013 (4)
  • February 2013 (4)
  • January 2013 (3)
  • December 2012 (8)
  • November 2012 (7)
  • October 2012 (6)
  • September 2012 (15)
  • August 2012 (5)
  • July 2012 (4)
  • June 2012 (1)
  • January 2012 (2)

  • You may also like

    NSIV Newsletter – February 2019

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Member Spotlight – New England Hydropower

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Newsletter – January 2019

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Member Spotlight – Lariat Biosciences

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Newsletter – November 2018

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Member Spotlight – IVIVA Medical

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Newsletter – October 2018

    Read now
  • You may also like

    NSIV Member Spotlight – Inovotion

    Read now

North Shore InnoVentures
100 Cummings Center
Suite 451C
Beverly, MA | 01915
978-867-0600

Apply for Incubation Space

Interested in incubating your company with NSIV? Submit your application today!

APPLY FOR A SPACE

Stay in the Know

Copyright 2017 © North Shore InnoVentures Inc. | All Rights Reserved | info@nsiv.org
  • Home
  • About
    • What Is
    • Impact
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
  • Incubation
    • Facilities
    • Equipment
    • Programs
  • Companies & Community
    • Incubated Companies
    • Resources
    • Our Sponsors
  • News & Events
  • Get Involved
    • Sponsorship
    • Mentorships
    • Internships
  • Contact
North Shore InnoVentures