The Startup Oasis Network (SON):  Built by Steve Vilkas for a consortium of innovation, startup, and tech communities.  Events and experiences that matter for people just like you.

The Startup Oasis Network

Where Founders & Funders Meet with Purpose

The Investor Connect Series is a bi-monthly event hosted by the Boston Life Sciences Showcase (BLSS), designed to facilitate high-impact interactions between biotech startups and active investors. Each session offers a focused yet dynamic environment where curated startup teams can present their innovations to aligned investors and receive actionable feedback , while investors share insights on funding trends, strategic focus areas, and what makes a startup stand out .

Held in a community- centered space, the series features investor panels, legal guidance, startup pitches, and structured networking opportunities. It builds on BLSS’s mission to foster meaningful, cross-disciplinary connections in the life sciences sector and serves as a valuable touchpoint for catalyzing the next wave of biotech breakthroughs.

Beyond Equity: Strategic Financing for the Life Sciences

. This session explores how companies are navigating today’s challenging funding environment, including the growth of royalty and revenue financing to provide biotech companies with access to growth capital while preserving equity and long- term control. Investors will share how they evaluate these deals, what makes a company a strong fit, and how founders can position themselves for success.

12:00 Welcome & Networking- Reception and open networking

12:20 Investor Insights- Fireside chat with Investors on investment theses, founder tips, and biotech trends

12:45 Legal Tips- Quick legal guidance for startups on IP, fundraising, or team structure

12:55 Startup Pitches- Two curated teams pitch, followed by Q&A with the investor panel

1:25 Facilitated Networking- Lightly structured networking with optional breakout areas

Established in 2022, the Boston Life Sciences Showcase (BLSS) is a quar terly gathering designed to foster deeper connections among leaders, founders, funders, and industry experts across the life sciences sector, alternating between public showcases and private executive dinners. In 2025, BLSS expanded its programming to include the Investor Connect Series, a bi-monthly initiative that brings startups and investors together for focused dealflow conversations and strategic exchange.

Each public event centers on live showcases by companies across different stages of growth, from early ideation to near-exit , complemented by insight-rich discussions led by experienced professionals. BLSS provides a space for high-potential teams to share their progress and receive actionable feedback from a panel of industry experts that includes investors, executives, and advisors. A key aspect of the showcase is its intentional inclusion of startups and leadership teams that reflect the global, cross-disciplinary nature of today ’s life sciences landscape, recognizing that innovation thrives when a variety of perspectives and experiences are brought to the table.

Mai Zymaris- Partner, Ice Miller LLP | Founder & President , VietChallenge

Mai Zymaris is Partner at Ice Miller LLP, where she leads the firm’s Boston-based Life Sciences Practice and oversees the Vietnam Practice Group. She advises biotech, pharma, medical device, and academic institutions on cross-border deals involving licensing, joint ventures, and commercialization. In addition to co -founding the Boston Life Sciences Showcase, she is the Founder and President of VietChallenge, the world’s largest Vietnamese startup program supporting more than 800 startups to date.

Jason Kraus is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and community builder with a deep commitment to helping startups grow from early concept to investor readiness. He is the founder of Prepare 4 VC , co-founder of Equity Venture Partners, and an a tive investor through EQx Fund and Boston Harbor Angels. Through his global startup, events with Startup Grind Boston, and his book Venture For ward, Jason has helped hundreds of founders navigate the startup journey with prac tical insight and unwavering support .

Max Hunt- Partner, Trinity Life Sciences | Co-Founder & CEO, SVRN

Max Hunt is a Partner at Trinity Life Sciences and the CoFounder and CEO of SVRN , the Scientific Value Return Network. With over a decade of experience advising top global biopharma companies, he is a leading voice on patient access, drug pricing, and reimbursement policy in the US and internationally. Max is devoted to delivering impactful solutions to enable life sciences innovation to benefit individuals around the world.

Kevin Dao- Director of Operations, VietChallenge

Kevin Dao is the Director of Operations at VietChallenge and an organizer of the Boston Life Sciences Showcase. With a background that bridges mental healthcare, biotech, entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership, Kevin curates high-impact events that connect visionary founders with capital, mentorship, and global opportunities.

PLEASE NOTE: When you attend the Boston Life Science Showcase, you will be subject to photography, audio and video recording that may occur. By attending an event, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction to be used for social media, news, web casts or promotional purposes.