With pharma companies leaning heavily on external R&D, the window for early-stage partnerships has never been wider. But what does it take to actually close a deal? This session examines how the industry’s biggest players vet new science, which data points actually move the needle, and how startups can initiate BD conversations that lead to long-term strategy rather than one-off meetings.

The days of “funding for science’s sake” are over. Today’s VCs are prioritizing capital efficiency and clear differentiation. In this session, active therapeutic investors share how they quantify scientific risk and which milestones a founder must hit to stand out in a crowded Series A market.

Family offices have moved well beyond passive participation. By launching dedicated funds and building expert in-house teams, they are now leading early-stage healthcare rounds with a level of conviction and sector focus that rivals traditional VC. This discussion analyzes the mechanics of how these offices source deals and build portfolios, as well as the unique decision-making dynamics that set them apart from institutional venture firms.

Medtech founders face a grueling gauntlet of regulatory hurdles and scaling challenges. Investors are looking for more than just a novel device—they want clinical relevance. This panel breaks down the current interest in minimally invasive tech and digital-enabled devices, focusing on the milestones that prove a platform is ready for prime time.

The digital health market has matured, and the “move fast and break things” era has been replaced by a demand for measurable outcomes. The session explores the sectors where investors see the most significant upside—such as AI-driven diagnostics and data platforms—and how founders can prove their tech has staying power in a real-world clinical setting.

Europe is home to world-class research, but the funding environment is changing. As cross-border investment becomes the new norm, the panel will discuss how the European ecosystem is evolving to compete on a global scale and what it takes to attract international capital.

The earliest investors essentially bet on a vision before meaningful data exists. These “first believers” do more than just provide capital; they often set the entire trajectory for a startup’s success. Bringing together experts in company formation and pre-seed investing, this session details what convinces them to take the initial leap and how they evaluate raw talent over metrics to build institutional-grade credibility.