Venture Capitalists and Biotech CEOs Anticipate BIO Mid-America VentureForum as Deal Flow Increases in the Midwest
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 21, 2006) -- Venture investments in bioscience startups in the Midwest are on the rise and will get a significant boost from the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) Mid-America VentureForum 2006, scheduled for September 25-27th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, OH.
Through the first half of 2006, Midwest bioscience and health care companies attracted $287 million in venture capital, up 10% from 2005, according to the Midwest Health Care Venture Investment Report recently released by BioEnterprise. For the second quarter alone, companies raised nearly $160 million, an increase of 36% from last year.
“Health care investments are gaining momentum in the Midwest,” said Baiju Shah, president of BioEnterprise. “The Mid-America VentureForum provides an outstanding opportunity for coastal venture investors to connect with Midwest venture firms and to see promising, venture-backed companies from across the Midwest.”
“The Midwest has truly become a region of growth for emerging bioscience and medical device companies,” stated Gary Glausser, Partner at Birchmere Ventures and Advisory Board member for Mid-America VentureForum. “The BIO Mid-America VentureForum gives these leading life science companies the opportunity to reach out to interested investors to form partnerships and networks that will evolve the bioscience industry even further.”
The BIO Mid-America VentureForum is the Midwest’s largest annual gathering of biotechnology and medical device companies, venture capitalists, angel investors, and investment bankers from across the U.S. and Canada. The conference will feature presentations by companies selected by an advisory board consisting of representatives from the nation’s leading venture capital firms. Currently, 37 companies from 18 states are scheduled to present.
Registration is complimentary for credentialed news media. Advance registration is available at http://www.bio.org/news/pressreg/index.asp?multiEvent=17 through September 15, 2006. Onsite registration is available only to reporters and editors working full-time for print or broadcast news organizations with valid media credentials.
For additional information on the BIO Mid-America VentureForum, please visit http://bma.bio.org/opencms/bma/2006/index.jsp .
The Midwest Health Care Venture Investment Report by BioEnterprise can be accessed at: http://www.bioenterprise.com/reports/ .
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and 31 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products.
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