Commercializing Innovation in Biotech
Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Stephen Grant, a seasoned life sciences executive, entrepreneur, investor, and mentor whose career spans leadership roles from startup ventures to global organizations.
This session will explore what it takes to transform promising scientific innovations into sustainable, high-growth businesses. Drawing on decades of experience across bioprocessing, medical devices, diagnostics, CRO/CDMO services, and life science technologies, Stephen will share lessons from scaling organizations, leading commercialization efforts, raising capital, building strategic partnerships, and driving market growth.
Throughout his career, Stephen has helped launch, grow, and advise numerous life science companies, raised more than $115 million in startup funding, led multiple successful company exits, and supported founders through programs such as NSF I-Corps, Nucleate, iGEM, and SynBio. In this discussion, he will offer practical insights into business development strategy, operations, fundraising, commercialization, and the challenges of translating scientific breakthroughs into products and companies that can thrive in the marketplace. Attendees will also gain perspective on how startups can navigate growth, build strong partnerships, and position themselves for long-term success.
This event is designed for students, postdocs, researchers, founders, operators, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in biotech innovation and company building. Whether you are considering launching a startup, seeking to understand the commercialization process, or looking to accelerate the growth of an existing venture, this conversation will provide valuable insights from a leader who has spent his career helping life science innovations reach the market and create meaningful impact.
Meet the Host
Berkeley Pharma Tech Foundation is a nonprofit committed to expanding biotech understanding and improving access to the industry through education, mentorship, and networking. We host roundtables, speaker panels, and community events to connect aspiring scientists and entrepreneurs with industry leaders. Our goals: launch a funded research program within two years and build a state-of-the-art lab in the Bay Area within five. Follow us on LinkedIn or reach out to Vanloan Nguyen to get involved!