​EPISODE 56 [LIVE]
What’s the Buzz?! | Activating Central Virginia’s BioHealth Innovation Engine

​Virginia’s life sciences ecosystem is entering a defining moment.

With growing momentum across biohealth, advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing, startup formation, and venture investment, the Commonwealth has a real opportunity to build something distinct: not another Boston, RTP, or New Jersey, but a more connected life sciences ecosystem where founders can move from discovery to company formation, commercialization, and scale without leaving Virginia.

In this episode of What’s the Buzz?!, BioBuzz Founder & CEO Chris Frew sits down with Michael Steele, President & CEO of Activation Capital, to talk about what it takes to turn promising science into scalable companies.

The conversation will explore Activation Capital’s role as Virginia’s life sciences innovation authority, its continuum of founder support through Basecamp, Pathfinder, Frontier BioHealth, and Pioneer Connect, and why programs, mentorship, capital, infrastructure, and community all matter in helping entrepreneurs navigate the path from concept to commercialization.

For founders, researchers, investors, ecosystem builders, and life sciences leaders watching Virginia’s next chapter, this conversation will unpack what is being built, why it matters now, and how Activation Capital is helping shape the future of biohealth innovation in the Commonwealth.

​Streamed on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.

​About the Guest

​Michael Steele

​Michael Steele comes to Activation Capital with more than two decades of leadership experience in therapeutic, diagnostic, and research verticals across global markets. He has built and led high-performing teams, driven corporate strategy, and delivered growth through business development, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, investor relations, and strategic partnerships. Over his career, he has held senior leadership positions at fast-paced organizations, including Biocartis, Chembio Diagnostics, SeraCare Life Sciences, and Serologicals. Steele served in general management, corporate development, commercial, and operational roles, where he executed transactions generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and investment. He has led global partnering initiatives to advance therapeutic, diagnostic and precision medicine innovations, negotiated agreements with top biopharma and life science companies, and directed strategies for large, growing organizations.

​A Virginia native, Steele earned his MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University and completed the Senior Leadership Program at Vlerick Business School in Brussels, Belgium.

​LinkedIn | Website

​About the Host

​Chris Frew

​Chris is the Founder of BioBuzz Networks, Inc, a life science talent community and hiring platform, and CEO of Workforce Genetics, LLC (WGx), a prominent life science recruitment firm. He has been supporting companies in the regional life sciences industry with recruiting and marketing solutions for 20+ years.

​Previously serving as the Vice President of Sales at Breezio, a leading innovator in cloud-based online communities, and the Vice President of Tech USA’s Scientific Division, which he founded and grew into a national practice. Chris has almost two decades of experience successfully leading teams, projects and fostering engaged communities within the Life Science industry.

​He is a Maryland native and a graduate of Towson University.

​LinkedIn | Website

​About the Program

​What's the Buzz?!

​This weekly podcast, broadcast live, features life sciences leaders and regional ecosystem builders who share bold ideas, real stories, and what’s ahead for our industry.

Hosted by our CEO, Chris Frew, and powered by Heffron, this 30-minute virtual series is streamed across LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook — reaching thousands of professionals every episode.

The show highlights one-on-one conversations with founders, executives, strategists, and ecosystem builders. While focusing on the biohubs where we are most active, What’s the Buzz?! also explores emerging regions, trends, and innovations shaping the future of life sciences.

Topics include:
➡️ Biotech growth & investment trends
➡️ Workforce development & talent strategies
➡️ Emerging tools & technologies
➡️ Policy & ecosystem influence
➡️ Public-private collaboration

​Website | Contact

​About the Sponsor

​Heffron

​Founded in 1922, Heffron Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned firm in the Washington, D.C. region redefining construction and service for complex, highly regulated environments.

​With deep expertise in plumbing and HVAC, design-build, renovation and tenant services, and complex systems installation, Heffron supports mission-critical life sciences and biotech facilities alongside education, government, and commercial projects. Their work includes university research labs, federal research buildings, corporate R&D headquarters, and GMP-compliant biotech spaces.

​Known for integrity, collaboration, and technical excellence, Heffron delivers reliable, high-performance systems through clear communication and consistent on-time, on-budget execution.

​LinkedIn | Website