On June 12, FFUND attended the Dutch Biotech Event organized by HollandBIO in Maarssen. Bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, the event offered valuable insights into the realities of building and scaling biotech companies.. One theme surfaced time and again throughout the day: how to fund innovation and support the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs.
Building and scaling a biotech venture
A highlight was the keynote by Violette Defourt, CEO of Rapidemic. Violette shared the realities of building a biotech company, from navigating uncertainty to the relentless challenge of fundraising. Her story was a reminder that persistence, resilience, and a clear vision can open doors, even in a demanding investment climate. A standout example was Rapidemic’s success in securing a major grant from the Gates Foundation.
Offering a different perspective, Olivier Rigaud, CEO of Corbion, took the stage next. Representing a company that has successfully scaled over many years, he reflected on Corbion’s growth journey and shared insights into what it takes to attract investment and build long-term success in the biotech sector.
Together, the two keynotes highlighted different stages of the innovation journey. From building a company in its early years to scaling an established business. Both speakers reinforced the importance of long-term thinking, perseverance, and strategic growth.
What investors are looking for today
The keynote sessions were followed by a series of breakout discussions. Unsurprisingly, FFUND joined the session on biotech financing, featuring a panel of biotech CEOs, CFOs, and a healthcare venture capital partner.
The discussion provided insight into what investors are looking for today. While strong science remains essential, the panel emphasized that successful fundraising often starts long before capital is needed. Building relationships with investors early, surrounding yourself with experienced advisors, and recognizing the importance of market timing were recurring themes. As several speakers noted, biotech investment trends can shift fast: an idea that struggles to attract funding today may become highly attractive in a few years’ time.
Looking ahead
Overall, the event offered valuable insights into the evolving biotech funding landscape while highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of biotech innovators. Preparation, persistence, and long-term relationship building remain just as important as the innovation itself when navigating the path from idea to impact.
See you next time!
To provide the best support and strategic advice possible, the FFUND team ensures they stay up to date with the latest developments and innovations in the field. To do so, we regularly visit leading life science events and share our insights with you here.
Photocredits: hollandbio
