On August 25, OBIO held Pitches & Pitchers Pitch Competition during which innovative health science companies, engaged in OBIO’s Access to Capital programs (CAAP and Health MINT) competed to win $10K in cash prizes.
OBIO Roundtable on Governance – Blog on Key Points for Building and Managing a Board of Directors
OBIO Hosts Industry Roundtable with BIO Digital Delegation Companies
Last week, OBIO organized and hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with health science companies that participated in the Ontario delegation to the BIO Digital 2020 conference. The interactive discussion allowed participants to share their experiences about adjusting to building companies virtually.
Reviewing the 2020 Niagara Investment Summit – A Very Canadian Ending
The Summit wrapped up at the Wayne Gretzky Estates, under a light snowfall. And then a hockey game broke out. Thanks to everyone who joined us in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Reviewing the 2020 Niagara Investment Summit – Day 2: A Fireside Chat with David Skok
A busy Day 2 at the 2020 Niagara Investment Summit concluded with a fireside chat with David Skok, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Logic and OBIO CEO Gail Garland.
Mr. Skok spoke about how he was influenced by Clay Christensen, an American academic and business consultant who developed the theory of disruptive innovation and whom Mr. Skok met while he was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. The theory states that disruptive innovations tend to be produced by outsiders, such as entrepreneurs in start-ups, rather than existing companies, a recognizable concept to many in the audience.
Much like the approach he took in founding The Logic and its approach to writing stories about innovation across industries, Mr. Skok said a disruptive innovator must go against the grain and make courageous choices.
H2BB Training Days Have Begun
Reviewing the 2020 Niagara Investment Summit – Day 2: Jeff Karp Keynote Address
Dr. Jeff Karp, a Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, began the second day of the Summit with an inspiring breakfast keynote about innovation.
Dr. Karp knows a thing or two about innovation – he is at the forefront of an emerging scientific discipline called bioinspiration where scientists and designers look to the natural world to solve medical and industrial challenges.
During his presentation, Dr. Karp spoke about the importance of collaboration with people from different disciplines. “Innovation happens at the interface of disciplines,” he said.
Reviewing the 2020 Niagara Investment Summit – What were you saying?
The 2020 Niagara Investment Summit was a success and it’s not just OBIO’s opinion. Summit attendees agreed. Here’s a sample of what people were saying:
Thanks to two of our Partners Montreal InVivo and Stem Cell Network.
Company presentations – providing a great sense of the most promising health science innovations.
Networking and smiles!
Astronaut endorsement!
An insightful panel. Thanks to the participants.
A perfect way to end Day 2.
Reviewing the 2020 Niagara Investment Summit – Day 2: Dr. Dave Williams Keynote Address
Dr. Dave Williams, record-breaking Astronaut, Aquanaut, MD, hospital CEO and Leadership Expert, presented to a jam-packed room of 100+ people, encouraging the gathered group of scientists, entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders to make the impossible possible, whether it is in the space program or another more earth-based environment. Dr. William’s inspirational stories and videos documenting his space walks and space missions illustrated how to successfully embrace and manage risk.
The presentation received a standing ovation and the Summit attendees headed back to their afternoon session with renewed inspiration and purpose.
Dr. Williams’ lesson for all of us from space: “There are no lines demarcating countries, making it clear that despite different cultures and languages, we are all in this together.”
2020 Niagara Investment Summit a Success
OBIO 2019 Annual Public Meeting: Recap and Photo Gallery
OBIO Hosts: Amplify Capital
Recap: OBIO CAAP Alumni Group Dinner
Reviewing OBIO at RESI Boston
On September 10th, OBIO organized a cross-border networking event in Boston at the Consulate General of Canada. The event was supported by the Consulate General and law firms Fasken and Choate. Over 45 investors, strategics, as well as executives from high potential Canadian health science companies packed the Canada Room at the Consulate and resulted in numerous investor-company interactions.
Reviewing 'In-Licensing from Tech Transfer Offices: Terms, Tips & Impact on Investability'
On August 21st, OBIO hosted Norton Rose Fulbright’s Anthony de Fazekas (Partner, Head of Technology & Innovation) and Vanessa Grant (Partner), Lumira Ventures’ Jacki Jenuth (Partner), and University of Toronto’s Karen Temple (Commercialization Manager) who discussed practical considerations for licensing health science technologies from tech transfer offices, and how these agreements can impact a company’s future investability.