Ryan Bethencourt

Grant revenue is not revenue. I'm all for non-dilutive funding, if and only if the SBIR/STTR-funded project accelerates your strategy with development of a product that will be sold (so science fair projects). However... *grant revenue is not validation dollars on the top line.* What you have shown is an ability to write grants, the basis for the research that led to the startup (in the case of academic spin-outs) in the first place. What you have not shown is 💸 the desire for customers to purchase your product(s) ➡ an ability to articulate a go-to-market plan, or 🔐 a down in the trenches understanding of product-market fit. Startups are a game of the quick and dead -- take the time and money you would spend writing these grants early in the life of your company and hit the road, listen to your customers, learn where and how your products fit, and start selling. Your P&L shows me your real progress there -- As an investor and advisor, I would rather see $10,000 in revenue from sales from a handful of customers in 2 quarters than a X% chance you get a $1M grant in 9 months.

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America’s Seed Fund, powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, focuses on transforming scientific and engineering discoveries into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Each year, we award $200+ million in research and development (R&D) funding to about 400 startups across the United States. We invite you to attend a virtual question and answer session titled Office Hours: Intro to America’s Seed Fund at NSF: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2-3 p.m. EST In this session, an NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program director will answer questions about how to get started, the basics of eligibility, and what we look for when we review Project Pitches. REGISTER Before joining the webinar, we recommend that you: Visit the How It Works section to learn more about America's Seed Fund, powered by NSF, and the Project Pitch submission process Watch a recording of Introduction to America's Seed Fund, powered by NSF We invite you to share the Zoom link with colleagues you think may be interested in attending the webinar. Thank you, America's Seed Fund, powered by NSF, staff About America's Seed Fund powered by NSF America’s Seed Fund powered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) awards more than $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across virtually every discipline of science and technology can receive up to $2 million in non-dilutive funds to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. About NSF TIP The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) engages all Americans in accelerating critical and emerging technologies to advance U.S. competitiveness. The directorate partners across sectors to advance three primary focus areas – accelerating technology, fostering innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for better-quality, higher-wage jobs. For more information about NSF TIP, visit new.nsf.gov/tip/latest.

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Most biotech founders (and I'm guilty of it) are delusional about their timelines. If you think your drug will be on the market in five years, think again. Here’s the reality: The average time to bring a new drug to market is closer to 10-15 years. And that’s if everything goes smoothly. But let’s be real—it never does. So, what should you do instead of clinging to these fantasy timelines? 1. Clinical trials will take longer than you think, and regulatory bodies won’t move at your pace. If you’re not ready to deal with these delays strategically, your startup is a ticking time bomb. 2. Don’t just raise enough to get to your next milestone—raise enough to survive the inevitable setbacks. Investors appreciate founders who understand the long game. 3. Stop overpromising to your team, your investors, and yourself. Underpromise, overdeliver, and keep everyone grounded in reality. It's a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re in it for quick wins, you’re in the wrong industry. Agree? Disagree? Let’s talk about it.

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Fast-forward 10 years when every bio company has access to highly performant models for in silico molecular design... Assuming this translates into many more high quality candidate molecules, there will be insatiable demand for already-scarce clinical development talent. Clinical development skillsets will become multiples more valuable. An optimist might argue we need to start preparing our clinical development regulatory and operational infrastructure for materially higher throughput.

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How do we minimize the number of protocol amendments and increase the operational feasibility of our clinical trials? This article below points out the benefits of using data, conversations and real world data to enhance the feasibility of the protocol design and inclusion/exclusion criteria: 1) Are we being too strict on our criteria in order to "control" for data variability? 2) Do are criteria allow for the intended patient population in the real world (if not, they need to) 3) How realistic is your design in how the study sites actually work? How they see and treat patients? How is your company ensuring the design meets these requirements? https://lnkd.in/gzJzFd-3

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There has been so much talk about AI in Healthcare where every other company is claiming to offer services driven by AI. The question we need to answer or better understand is " Are we in an AI bubble?" The attached article outlines a very balanced insight into the current trends and the need for a more matured AI focused Healthcare industry. This article focuses on 3 areas: Merger and Market Dynamics: The merger between Recursion Pharmaceuticals and Exscientia highlights the industry's consolidation. This merger aims to combine their strengths in biological exploration and chemistry to create a more efficient drug discovery pipeline. Challenges and Realities: Despite the initial optimism, the sector faces challenges in translating AI-driven discoveries into clinical successes. The complexity of biological systems and the high costs involved are significant hurdles Market Correction: The article suggests that the current downturn might be a market correction rather than a bubble burst. This phase could lead to a more sustainable and mature industry as it moves beyond the initial hype I would love to hear your thoughts on how AI is impacting the work you do or services you offer in the Healthcare sector

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We end every episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast by asking if there’s anyone our guest would like to thank. Without fail, they thank their families – Mom, Dad, grandparents, spouses, partners. Often, there are shoutouts to early mentors, advisors, or colleagues as well. What all those people have in common, is that they’re the ones who believed in them and bet on them early. Whether it was family support during their formative years... Extraordinarily patient spouses/partners... Professors who said “Sure, come join my lab,” before they really knew a bunsen burner from a beaker… What we seem to attract in the life sciences, is a ton of good will, gratitude, and a willingness to pay it forward. I might be biased, but it always feels to me like we might have even more of that than any other industry. Maybe it’s the mission-minded nature of the life sciences. Maybe it’s something else. But it’s clear we’re extraordinarily lucky to have people willing to bet on us early and often. As far as pattern recognition goes, it’s one I’m happy to see again and again. #biotechnology #lifesciences #thebiotechstartupspodcast

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What are Psychedelics Investors Concerned About? In general, psychedelics investors are very concerned about regulatory and legislative barriers, with respondents of all stripes expressing this as the most salient area of uncertainty for the field. Retail investors continue to demonstrate sensitivity to company-level catalysts and drug development milestones, with trial timelines and outcomes a key concern among this cohort. Larger investors, meanwhile, were more likely to express concerns over longer-term considerations like post-approval commercialisation factors or general commercial viability, as well as issues pertaining to safety and ethics. That latter category, safety and ethics, is a new one that emerged in this latest series of the survey. Here, we take a deeper dive into these themes…

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Join A Growing Community of World-Class Entrepreneurs. Biotech Labs. Tech Workspaces. Medical Offices. At Colorado Health & Tech Centers (CHTC), we are a premier hub for a diverse array of companies specializing in health and technology, allowing you to expand your network and spur your innovation. Join the world-class CHTC network and discover the power of collaboration in the life science and biotechnology sector. https://coloradohtc.com/ #Denverrealestate, #biotechnology, #Pharmaceutical, #biotech, #pharma, #innovation, #tech, #Technology, #CBSA, #CoBioscience, #cro , #cdmo , #laboratory,  #relocationspecialist, #Medicaldevice, #entrepreneurship, #startups, #culture, #HR, #partnerships, #LetsWork, #Whatinspiresme, #Productivity, #socialentrepreneurship, Babak Kia, Thomas Malcolm, Danny D. Martinez

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Not embarrassed to share Auxilius had a bit of cosmetic work done over the holidays. 💅 As of today, you’ll notice that the Auxilius website has a very different look and feel heading into 2025. While this is part of our effort to make clinical finance sexy (again?), we believe this more clearly reflects and articulates the way Auxilius supports the most innovative Biopharma finance and accounting teams in our industry. 🦾 The things we have in store for 2025 are anything but cosmetic. Auxilius customers will see a similar degree of change in our product this year. As our product becomes more robust (i.e., powerful, but big), we are making bold enhancements to our core workflows We are publicly launching three new offerings in 2025 — each designed to help our customers better plan and manage the most complex and variable components of R&D spend. Each has been designed and built collaboratively with early adopters among our 60+ customers, and we’re excited to make these available to the market broadly this year. 🔥 So yeah, I’ll say it. I’m fired up for 2025... https://www.auxilius.co/

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If you're an emerging company looking for expansion or getting started out, make sure to register for this webinar next week. September 10, 2024 10am PT / 1pm ET From Funding to Footprint Finding the right lab space to grow your company https://lnkd.in/g5XiA-Ke In this webinar, learn the latest real estate trends and current market conditions while gaining insights from investors, promising start-ups and real estate professionals on the best approach to finding the right space for your company and considerations for planning for growth.

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"I don't think I'm going to retire again. Maybe never. I might start slowing down one day, but I'm not going to actually officially retire. I think retirement is vastly overrated." In Part 3 of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Cyriac Roeding, Co-Founder & CEO of Earli Inc., shares his perspective on why continuous innovation and impact matter more than traditional retirement. Some highlights from our conversation below: – The journey from mobile technology pioneer to life sciences entrepreneur, and why following your intellectual curiosity is crucial 🔍 – Why science and societal change are the two fundamental forces that move humanity forward sustainably 🌎 – The fascinating parallel between the evolution of computer programming and where we are in biological engineering today 💻 🧬 – His vision for the future of clinical trials and drug development using AI and digital human body representations 🔮 – The importance of tackling meaningful problems at the intersection of biology, engineering, and software 💡 This conversation offers incredible insights into how a successful tech entrepreneur pivoted to tackle some of humanity's biggest challenges in life sciences. Truly inspirational. Apple Podcasts & Spotify links in the comments below! 👇🏽 #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast

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"I think one piece of advice is to find mentors who can help keep you on track and also give you support on those difficult days, but also serve as a way to have an example of how things can be and keep that in mind." In Part 2 of The Biotech Startups Podcast, I'm joined by Barry Ticho MD, PhD, Founder of Verve Therapeutics and Chief Medical Officer at Stoke Therapeutics, who shares invaluable insights about the importance of mentorship and guidance in navigating the complex landscape of biotech leadership. In this episode, we deep dive into: – The critical role of mentorship in career development and personal growth 🌟 – Building and leading successful clinical development programs 👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️🩺 – Creating meaningful relationships within the biotech ecosystem 🤝🏼 – Strategies for overcoming challenges in drug development 💡 – The importance of maintaining focus on patient outcomes while driving innovation 🎯 Barry provides a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to understand the intersection of scientific/clinical leadership and career development in biotech. An absolute Masterclass. Apple Podcasts & Spotify links in the comments below!👇🏽 #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast

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One of my missives struck one reader as anti-biotech. Let me be clear: I mostly like biotech. I helped launch it. The technology is mostly positive, yet just two global biotech companies control most of the world’s soybean genetics. They have intentionally let protein decline. The consequences of prioritizing biotech profits over protein are being greenwashed with planet-sized buckets of paint. The solution is protecting soybean nutrition value starting with responsible breeding, informed seed selection, and natural livestock diets — with fewer synthetic feed substitutes. With a systemic strategy that combines agronomy, livestock nutrition, and sustainability science, it’s possible for biotech to do far better. Here’s what’s at stake:

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According to the latest Pitchbook data, venture creation in biotech hit its slowest quarterly pace in eight years during 1Q 2024. With just over 60 new biotechs raising their first round of financing, the sector’s company formation activity has slowed 50-60% from its historic peak in 2021. Thank you Bruce Booth for penning your views on why this is a good thing. -Contraction in venture creation IS a healthy dynamic for the sector. -We need to ensure that the best ideas are getting advanced by the sector. -Greater discipline should translate into better returns in the long term for LPs and GPs/ VC #Venturecapital #Startups

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🧱 Builders: Kevin Parker - President & CEO, Founder @ Cartography Biosciences Join us for an exclusive conversation with Kevin Parker, CEO and co-founder of Cartography Biosciences, on our latest podcast episode of BIOS Builders. Kevin delves into his transition from a Ph.D. at Stanford focusing on basic biology to launching a startup aimed at transforming cancer therapy with targeted immunotherapies and an innovative antigen atlas. This episode also explores Cartography Biosciences' recent collaboration with Gilead, highlighting the groundbreaking potential of their partnership in revolutionizing cancer treatment. Learn about the inception of Cartography Biosciences, the development of their transformative technology, and the challenges of navigating the biotech startup landscape amidst a global pandemic. Kevin's insights into the future of precision medicine, the importance of interdisciplinary teams, and the journey towards their first clinical programs offer invaluable lessons for anyone interested in the cutting edge of cancer research and the entrepreneurial journey in life sciences. Don't miss this deep dive into the mission, science, and strategy behind Cartography Biosciences' quest to expand the horizons of cancer treatment. Tune in: https://buff.ly/4f2OnmH This episode also explores Cartography Biosciences' recent collaboration with Gilead, highlighting the groundbreaking potential of their partnership in revolutionizing cancer treatment. Read more about the exciting partnership here: https://buff.ly/4cC0sxo #BiotechInnovation #PrecisionMedicine #CancerTherapy #StartupJourney #TargetedImmunotherapy #LifeSciences #Entrepreneurship #ClinicalResearch #FutureOfHealthcare #TechBio #BiotechStartup #CancerResearch #InterdisciplinaryTeams #PhDLife #InnovativeTechnology

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"The idea is less important than your ability to execute on it in a professional manner."   In Part 2 of my conversation with Michael Chen, CEO of Nuclera on The Biotech Startups Podcast, we dive deep into the critical importance of execution over ideation in biotech entrepreneurship. In this episode, we explore some fascinating insights about building a successful biotech company:   – The stark difference between academic research and startup timelines, and why having finite resources creates better outcomes ⏱️ – How pharma partnerships work and navigating the complex multi-stakeholder environment of large organizations 💼 – The journey of pivoting from DNA synthesis to protein production, and how market realities shape business decisions 🧬 – Finding the right business model and the importance of identifying customers who are willing to invest their time 🔍 – Building value through strategic partnerships and understanding the true meaning of "go-to-market" strategy 🤝 This episode is jam packed with practical wisdom for anyone looking to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and commercial success! Michael gives special thanks to his parents for shaping who he is today, his co-founders for their dedication and perseverance, and all of Nuclera's investors and customers who are working tirelessly to add value to society. Apple Podcasts & Spotify links in the comments below! 👇🏽   #biotechnology #lifesciences #podcast

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KLOTHO Seminar Dec. 4th 2pm PT - Learn more about a protein that may extend your healthspan https://lnkd.in/gDwh5rvS

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Get ready to hear a lot more about "Founder Mode" most of what we've been told/taught about building and scaling companies is wrong. "Founders feel like they're being gaslit from both sides — by the people telling them they have to run their companies like managers, and by the people working for them when they do. Usually when everyone around you disagrees with you, your default assumption should be that you're mistaken. But this is one of the rare exceptions. VCs who haven't been founders themselves don't know how founders should run companies, and C-level execs, as a class, include some of the most skillful liars in the world."

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