This year’s BioVaria was the event in 2018 for early-stage, life-science European startups to connect with investors, with a record number of company founders and investors participating in the revamped and expanded Startup Pitch and Partner program.
15 startups from across Europe attended BioVaria, 10 of which were pre-selected by a jury of top-tier venture capitalists to pitch, compete for awards, receive dedicated expert mentoring and participate in 1:1 speed dating with investors. The startup pitches were moderated by Dr Nadine Sobotzki, Associate, M Ventures, and Dr Dirk Vocke, Associate Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Incubator, Merck KGaA, Germany. Four teams walked away with awards in two categories ‘Emerging’ (pre-private financing) and ‘Rising’ (post-private financing). The jury selected Munich-based OPSYON (Emerging) and London-based LIfT Biosciences (Rising) as winners of cash awards. Both ventures focus on cancer immunotherapy. Using the interactive BioVaria app, the audience also voted for Priavoid (Emerging) and VisionHealth (Rising) as their favourite startup pitches of 2018.
“BioVaria is the best startup event I have had the pleasure to attend,” said Alex Blyth, CEO of LIfT Biosciences. “The balance of startups to investors, biotech and big pharma companies was just perfect.”
If you would like to participate in next year’s event, register to receive updates on BioVaria here: www.biovaria.org