Venture Leaders Biotech 2024: Captains Blog by Maria Van Dongen, CEO of Allegria Therapeutics, and Gabriel Liguori, CEO of TissueLabs
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In mid-May, the ten Venture Leaders Biotech 2024 set off to Boston to connect with international investors and industry leaders, accelerating their ventures' expansion in the US. We asked Venture Leaders Biotech Team Captains Maria Van Dongen and Gabriel Liguori to share their experience and take us behind the scenes of the week-long roadshow.
Sunday, May 12thOur journey started at the Zurich airport. There was a tangible sense of excitement and anticipation as we met and shared our aspirations. To break the ice and start forming bonds, we enjoyed a glass of beer and engaged in lively conversations about our ventures and what we hoped to achieve during the week in Boston.
After a long flight, we arrived in Boston and quickly made our way to the Cambria Hotel in Somerville. That evening, we gathered in the lobby for pizza, sharing laughs and stories. It was a great opportunity for team bonding and setting the tone for the week ahead.
Monday
Our first day began with a visit to Swissnex Boston, welcomed by Consul Benjamin Bollman. Next, we toured Bayer’s Co.Lab in Kendall Square, presented investor pitches, and had lunch at a deli. Back at Swissnex, we received feedback from expert investors. In the evening, we attended a networking reception at Consul Bollman’s residence in Lexington, meeting with investors, academics, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Tuesday
On Tuesday at Swissnex Boston, Nicolas Mossiman from Kellerhals Carrard discussed M&A governance, while Todd Woodworth and Guillermo Elias covered US fundraising. In the afternoon, we toured Biognosys' new offices, now a proteomics leader after its acquisition by Bruker (former COO Philipp Antoni was part of the Venture Leaders team). Nigel Beaton's discussions were inspiring. The day ended with the Biotech Pitch Fest, a pitching competition that attracted a diverse audience of local stakeholders, including pharma representatives and investors. TissueLabs won a 3-month residency at Swissnex to connect with partners and gain a deeper understanding of the US market.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning began with a visit to Vida Ventures, where our team pitched to investors and engaged in valuable Q&A sessions. We then headed to RA Capital for more pitches and discussions, followed by a lovely lunch. At Swissnex, Jamie Ravitz and Marissa Hill presented on expedited regulatory programs. The day concluded with a spontaneous gathering at Boston Harbor, enjoying seafood and burgers, which reinforced our sense of community among us Venture Leaders.
Thursday
Thursday morning was intentionally left open, offering us a chance to schedule meetings and connect with local partners freely. In the early afternoon, we headed to the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, learning about its innovative medical technologies. A panel discussion allowed us to present their projects and receive feedback. Later, an expert session with Geoff Meyerson and John Blythe from Locust Walk provided insights into fundraising and growth strategy. The day concluded with a closing dinner, celebrating the week's accomplishments and future collaborations.
Friday
Our last day in Boston began with a fireside chat with George Arnold from Knightsbridge Advisors, a veteran venture capitalist. He shared insights on what VCs seek in investments, pitching effectively, and picking the right VC. Later, we explored Boston, reconnecting with contacts and soaking in the city's culture. We ended with a meeting with 5AM Ventures—a venture capital firm known for its focus on early-stage life sciences companies—discussing our projects and gaining precious investor insights. As we boarded our flights back home, we reflected on the week’s experiences: Each of us returned with a wealth of knowledge, strengthened by new connections and inspired by the possibilities ahead.
Become the next Venture Leader and check the roadshow review for more highlights.
