Impact Investors & Venture Philanthropy
Role of Impact Investing in the Healthcare Ecosystem

As the demand for meaningful innovation in healthcare grows, impact investors and venture philanthropists are stepping in to support early-stage life science and healthcare companies. These funders are driven not only by the potential for financial return, but also by the goal of advancing health equity, improving patient outcomes, and addressing critical unmet needs.

This 50-minute panel brings together leaders in impact investing and venture philanthropy to discuss how they deploy capital to catalyze innovation, particularly in areas often overlooked by traditional venture investors. Panelists will explore how they define and measure impact, what they look for in early-stage ventures, and how they work with founders to align mission with milestone-based growth. Hear from investors who are helping shape a more inclusive and outcomes-focused healthcare future.

Mental & Behavioral Health
Investing in Solutions for Higher Quality of Life and Wellbeing

In 2022, WHO announced in their factsheet that 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder. With ongoing efforts to raise awareness and reduce stigma, there continues to be a high demand for new solutions and investors are taking notice. From digital therapeutics and neurotechnology to novel therapeutics and care delivery models, early-stage companies are pushing the boundaries of how mental and behavioral health can be diagnosed, treated, and managed.

This 50-minute panel will feature investors actively backing innovation in mental and behavioral health. Panelists will discuss where they see the most promising opportunities, how they evaluate clinical and commercial potential in a complex and often fragmented market, and what it takes for early-stage companies to stand out. The conversation will also explore how stigma, reimbursement challenges, and regulatory pathways impact investment decisions—and how emerging technologies and models of care are reshaping the landscape.

For companies developing tools for anxiety, depression, addiction, neurodevelopmental disorders, or serious mental illness, or for investors who are looking more into investing in mental and behavioral health-related disorders, this session will offer practical insights into how investors are supporting the next generation of mental health solutions.

Oncology Innovation
Latest Scientific Breakthroughs and Future Outlook

Oncology remains one of the most dynamic and competitive areas in life science innovation, attracting sustained investor interest and driving scientific breakthroughs across diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital platforms. However, many challenges are afoot – with increasing scientific complexity, regulatory demands, and rising development costs, early-stage oncology companies must demonstrate not only novel science, but real potential for clinical and commercial impact.

This 50-minute panel will bring together active investors and strategic partners focused on oncology innovation. Panelists will explore which technologies and modalities are capturing attention as well as future outlook on how this field will continue to evolve. The discussion will also cover what makes an oncology startup stand out in a crowded field, how investors assess differentiation and de-risking at early stages, and where the biggest unmet needs remain.

For any company that is addressing oncology – from novel therapeutics to preventative diagnostics – this session will offer valuable insights into partnering and funding strategies at the cutting edge of cancer care.

Diagnostics
Investing in Innovations for Preventative and Personalized Care

Diagnostics are playing an increasingly central role in the future of healthcare by enabling earlier detection, more precise treatment, and better patient outcomes. From next-generation sequencing and liquid biopsy to digital and AI-powered tools, diagnostics are transforming how we understand and manage disease, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

This 50-minute panel will feature investors and strategic partners focused on early-stage diagnostics innovation. Panelists will explore what makes a diagnostic technology attractive from both a clinical and commercial standpoint, how they evaluate reimbursement potential and regulatory pathways, and where they see the biggest unmet needs. The discussion will also highlight how diagnostics companies can differentiate themselves, gain early traction, and successfully partner with investors or industry leaders.

For fundraising entrepreneurs developing novel solutions in oncology, infectious disease, chronic conditions, or personalized medicine, this session will offer practical insights on funding, positioning, and scaling impactful diagnostic solutions and how your company can stand out to active investors and strategic partners.

Partnering With Big Pharma
What Startups Need to Know to Get on Big Pharma’s Radar

For many early-stage life science companies, partnering with Big Pharma is a critical milestone, as these major pharmaceutical companies offer access to global expertise, resources, and commercialization pathways. But competition is fierce, and successful partnerships require more than great science. They demand clear differentiation, strong data, strategic alignment, and a compelling case for unmet need.

This 50-minute panel will feature business development and venture leaders from major pharmaceutical companies who are actively scouting for innovation across therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health, and enabling technologies. Panelists will share what they look for in early-stage companies, how their teams evaluate external opportunities, and when in the development cycle they are willing to engage. The discussion will also explore trends shaping pharma’s innovation strategy and how startups can position themselves for long-term, high-impact partnerships.

Whether you are aiming for a co-development deal, licensing agreement, or strategic investment, this session offers an inside look at how big pharm thinks, and what it takes to stand out.

Family Offices
Perspectives on Early-Stage Investments

Family offices are becoming increasingly active players in early-stage healthcare and life science investing and have growing interest in high-impact innovation. They are on the radar of many early-stage companies as they provide patient capital, diverse investment strategies. Unlike traditional venture funds, family offices may prioritize mission alignment, multi-generational value creation, and cross-sector impact alongside financial returns.

This 50-minute panel features family office investors with a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences. Panelists will share what drives their interest in the sector, how they evaluate opportunities, and what sets them apart from institutional VCs. The discussion will also explore how founders can engage with family offices, what makes a company stand out, and how these investors support portfolio companies beyond capital.

The primary goal of this panel is to help entrepreneurs understand how family offices view early-stage investments in the healthcare space and best practices for approaching, pitching, and working with these groups as well as debunking some common misconceptions about family offices.