A curated lineup of leading biotech VCs, each delivering a 5-minute rapid-fire briefing covering: fund focus, investment thesis, selection process, and their most actionable advice for fundraising in the current market

​Once a year we put the investors in a room by themselves. No startups. No pitches. No slides. ​Just the people actually moving capital across biotech and synthetic biology, talking honestly about what they're seeing: what's working, what might be overhyped, and where the real opportunities are right now. It's the conversation you can't have when founders are listening. ​It's invitation-only and space is limited

Venture capital alone is no longer enough to power the next wave of biotechnology innovation. Across health, biosecurity, climate, and advanced biomanufacturing, government agencies are emerging as catalytic partners, deploying billions in non-dilutive funding to accelerate high-risk, high-impact breakthroughs. But accessing this capital requires more than strong science. Founders must understand how agencies like ARPA-H, DARPA, BARDA, and others evaluate risk, define mission impact, and structure partnerships that bridge research and real-world deployment. This session brings together agency leaders, founders, and experienced operators to demystify how government funding actually works in today’s market. The panelists will explore how startups can position themselves for success, avoid common pitfalls in proposal development and contracting, and strategically leverage non-dilutive funding to extend runway, de-risk technology, and unlock new commercial pathways.