In my most recent blog for PLSG, I described the value – both in the short-term for immediate funding and in the long-term for potentially gaining access to Federal sources of capital – of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the companion Small business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs. These Congressionally mandated programs require all agencies that fund R&D …
Say, Mr. or Ms. Life Sciences Entrepreneur – How does a direct path to Federal funding sound? A means of gaining capital to accelerate technology development? A way to leapfrog your way to product commercialization? Sound good? You bet it does. That’s why, if you’re a startup or other small life sciences business and you aren’t plugged into the Small …
The IP Pyramid™ – How to Create a Comprehensive IP Strategy By Alan West, Resident Entrepreneur, PLSG Companies routinely write comprehensive business plans to communicate their commercialization strategy, including detailed sections describing product development, manufacturing, marketing and sales, and financial projections. Naturally, such business plans help clarify the company’s objectives, organization, and strategies for future growth and a competitive vision. …
By Jim “Oz” Osborn, Investment Manager – Grant Programs In Bessemer Ventures’ report in May 2016 on how technology companies are responding to the shift from fee-for-service to fee-for-value (also known value-based payments), telehealth was cited as one of three standout segments. The reason? Telehealth combines two essential ingredients of the value-based approach: engaging the consumer/patient and lowering the cost …
By Jim Jordan, President and CEO, PLSG The life sciences industry presents an unending resource of fascinating ideas generated by brilliant minds, all in the pursuit of improving the health of people. One critical area – and one that may not, at first glance, appear as exciting as a new cure for disease or a new method of treatment – …
By Marissa Kuzirian, Investment Manager, PLSG In collaboration with Fourth River Solutions Innovations often require backing from those with the foresight to believe in them, and faith is required to overlook the risk associated with innovation. This is amplified in groundbreaking segments without much market validation. Such is the case today with nanomedicine, defined as the application of knowledge and …
For start-ups, it’s challenging to know when legal help is vital to ultimate success. Sure, outside legal counsel can be expensive, but sometimes getting it right at the start can save time, money, and headaches in the future. Babst Calland, Attorneys at Law, can give you guidance. Founded in Pittsburgh and named one of the ‘Best Law Firms’ in 2018 …
By Marissa Kuzirian, Investment Manager, PLSG In collaboration with Fourth River Solutions Imagine a market valued at $135 billion, yet still considered too immature in which to invest. A market that deals in products invisible to the naked eye, yet which can yield incredible advances in human health. That market is known as nanomedicine. Defined as the application of knowledge …
A greenhouse’s primary function is to help things grow. To create or simulate the optimal environment to spur as much of that growth as possible, actually. In our case, the pursuit and promotion of growth focuses on the life sciences. Our name – the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse – wasn’t chosen by accident. My connection with PLSG has been long …
When I was growing up, I always wanted to be an accountant. I guess I thought my math interests and skills were a good fit for that profession. When I was in college, I quickly found out that math skills were certainly a help, but analytical skills and basic understanding of a process and logical structure were extremely important. After …