Welcome to the BIO Mid-America VentureForum

Applications to present will continue to be accepted based on the availability of presentation slots.

What is the BIO Mid-America VentureForum?

• The Midwest’s largest annual event showcasing biotech and medical device product and platform companies from across the country
  
  
• A collaboration between nine state life science associations and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
  
  
• A place where venture capitalists, start-up biotech and medical device entrepreneurs, and other industry participants can
  
  
  • meet and explore funding and investment opportunities and other business partnerships;
  • participate in workshops highlighting trends in the financial markets and life science companies;
  • network with the biotech and medical device industry’s most prominent CEOs and venture capitalists.

What is the history of this event?

• In 2003, BIO and a collection of state associations launched the Mid-America VentureForum in Chicago, IL, to bring together in one place the various biotech start-ups, investors and other industry participants scattered throughout the Midwest.  Attendance was almost 400 – twice the original estimate.  This event was further distinguished by support from the Midwest Healthcare Investment Network (MHIN) and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).
  
  
• In 2004, drawing on the success of the inaugural event, the conference was held in St. Louis, Missouri.  BIO reached out to the venture capital community to draw even more attention to the Midwest biotech market. There was a 25% overall increase in VC attendees.  Most significant was the increase in the East and West-Coast VCs.  Presenting companies collectively secured over $89 million in funding in the past year.

What is new this year?

• A special focus is on the medical device industry, one of the Midwest’s unique strengths, and a field that is quickly attracting capital investments from some of the nation’s leading VC firms. This year's event is hosted by Medical Alley with continued support from the MHIN, and NVCA.
  
  
• The 2005 BIO Mid-America VentureForum will be held in Minneapolis-St. Paul, September 21-23, 2005 at the Hilton Hotel, Minneapolis.  Co-sponsoring state associations include Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Who should attend?

• Biotech and Medtech CEOs, CFOs, Angel Investors, corporate investors, VCs, and Investment Bankers

In addition to bringing together private start-ups from the region and investors from around the country, the conference also attracts a national audience of researchers, academic institutions, and senior executives from leading pharmaceutical, medical technology, and agricultural companies to participate in the various workshops, plenary sessions and keynote speeches.