The SmiLe company SAGA Diagnostics wins Startup Challenge @NLSDays 2017 for best pitch
On Tuesday evening, sixteen Nordic start-up companies showcased their innovations for an international audience at Nordic Life Science Days (NLSDays) in Malmö, Sweden. The SmiLe company SAGA Diagnostics wins: The CEO of Saga Diagnostics, Leo Saal, who delivered the sharpest pitch gets 1st prize for the presentation of the company’s advancements in diagnostics and monitoring of cancer.
The Startup Challenge @NLSDays 2017 gave the audience a taste of different research and development projects within therapeutics, medical technology and platform solutions. The contestants were given only three minutes to pitch, after which they were challenged by a seasoned jury: three life science experts and an investor.
– It is great to see high quality new start-ups in the Nordics. This is really increasing the interest for us to look for deal flow from this territory, says jury member Seppo Mäkinen, investor and partner in Portugal-born Pathena Group.
The members of the jury were impressed of Leo Saal´s amazing presentation, where the story of his personal experience of cancer and his development of the company that already has attracted customers were highlighted.
Also, two additional performances were rewarded: Kenneth Danehorn at Neosense from Stockholm Innovation & Growth received the 2nd prize, and Carl-Magnus Högerkorp, CEO of the SmiLe Incubator company Edvince, got the 3rd prize in this pitch competition.
– I am so impressed by all the contestants, and especially by Saga Diagnostics and Edvince. They have great CEO´s and teams, as well as solid research as a basis for their business ideas and have proven a strong competitiveness internationally, says Ebba Fåhraeus, CEO of SmiLe Incubator.
Saga Diagnostics – cancer diagnostics and monitoring Interview with the CEO of Saga Diagnostics
Edvince – new paradigm for treating brain hemorrhage Interview with the CEO of Edvince
Jury Members
Ms. Rosemary Liu, New Ventures and Transactions Lead, Johnson & Johnson Innovation; Ms. Sandra Lindvall, Associate, Awapatent; Mr. Tomas Eriksson, CEO, A1M Pharma; Dr. Seppo Mäkinen, Board Professional & Investor, Partner in Pathena Group.
The Award
The Startup Challenge @NLSDays 2017 is organized by Nordic Life Science Days, a SwedenBIO event. It is produced by Bionordic and by the kind support of the sponsors Johnson & Johnson Innovation, SmiLe Incubator and Medeon Science Park & Incubator. The winner is awarded mentoring from Johnson & Johnson Innovation and complimentary registration including a 6-minute company presentation at Nordic Life Science Days 2018, which will take place on September 10-12 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The selection process
The selected companies must have a maximum of 2M Euro in previous financing; less than 100 employees; present early-stage innovations with transformational potential and prior to clinical proof-of-concept; and developing a new therapeutic product, medical technology product or platform that is validated in the lab, including e-health solutions. The companies were selected in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, SmiLe Incubator and Medeon Science Park & Incubator.
Startup Challenge @NLSDays 2017
The pitch competition is financed by SmiLe Incubator, Medeon Science Park & Incubator and Johnson & Johnson, and arranged by Sweden Bio and Bio Nordic.
About Nordic Life Science Days
Nordic Life Science Days is a SwedenBIO event, produced by Bionordic. Nordic Life Science Days has grown rapidly since its launch in 2012 to become the largest Nordic partnering conference for the global life science industry. Nordic Life Science Days 2017 took place on September 12-14 in Malmö.
Contact: Ebba Fåhraeus, CEO at SmiLe Incubator, +46 (0)73-400 04 33, ebba@smileincubator.life.
Facts about Southern Sweden Going Global: http://www.smileincubator.life/portfolio-item/p1-southern-sweden-going-global/
About SmiLe Venture Hub – Pioneering Life Science Innovations
SmiLe is a business incubator based in Medicon Village in Lund. SmiLe helps life science entrepreneurs to commercialize new ideas. SmiLe also gives the companies access to an infrastructure that is unique of its kind in Sweden, with well-equipped laboratories and advanced instrumentation. The community companies have attracted more than SEK 1 000 million in venture capital to date since 2014. SmiLe has its major financing from Lunds university, Lund Municipality, Region Skåne och Medicon Village. www.smileincubator.life
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