Latest news with #EmergingFund
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Bullpen Launches Emerging Fund to Champion the Next Generation of Life Sciences Innovators
New investment initiative fuels high-potential startups across biotools, medtech, digital health, and therapeutics. 'BIO Week is our opportunity to strip away the noise and create a space where life science leaders can connect authentically, share candid insights, and forge the partnerships.'— Christiaan Engstrom, CEO of Bullpen. BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, June 4, 2025 / / -- Bullpen, a trusted community of life sciences dealmakers, today announced the launch of its Bullpen Emerging Fund, a bold initiative designed to back mission-driven startups that are redefining the future of health. Through capital investment, deep mentorship, and access to a close-knit network of expert operators and investors, the fund aims to turn today's early-stage breakthroughs into tomorrow's clinical realities. The Emerging Fund, available to accredited investors, invests in standout companies selected for Bullpen's On-Deck class—founders chosen not only for their science but for their grit, vision, and purpose. The 2025 cohort includes: - Chandima Bandaranayaka, CEO: Precision Quantomics, accelerating drug discovery and personalized pharmacotherapy through high-resolution molecular profiling. - David Mead, CEO: Terra Bioforge, harnessing synthetic biology to streamline biological production and accelerate therapeutic development. - Doug Cohen, CEO: IR Medtek, developing real-time, noninvasive cancer detection technologies that improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes. - Harsha Rajasimha, CEO: Jeeva Clinical Trials, delivering decentralized trial software that enhances patient access, retention, and diversity in clinical research. - Linda Tempelman, CEO: Persista Bio, advancing cell therapy solutions for chronic diseases, including a novel approach to treating Type 1 diabetes. Each of these founders will pitch during Bullpen's 'Money Ball' sessions, June 16–18 at BIO International, to an audience of mission-aligned investors and partners. More than a moment on stage, these pitches represent the culmination of rigorous preparation and the start of a meaningful growth journey. 'Bullpen was built on a simple idea: if you bring the right people together in the right way, the outcomes take care of themselves. BIO Week is our opportunity to strip away the noise and create a space where life science leaders can connect authentically, share candid insights, and forge the partnerships that will move this industry forward,' said Christiaan Engstrom, CEO of Bullpen. Further information on the Bullpen Emerging Fund may be obtained from Ray Jordan, managing director, Putnam Insights LLC, and initial investor in the fund through Elmstead Partners LLC. Jordan may be reached at [email protected]. Expert Coaching to Catalyze Success Behind each founder is a seasoned mentor: - Michael Hill, Global Head of Science Innovations, MedTech Head Coach, with a legacy of scaling clinical tools from bench to bedside. - Stella Vnook, CEO of Likarda and Therapies Head Coach, a biotech operator with deep experience in moving science-backed products through commercial launch. - John Bonham-Carter, BioTools Head Coach and angel investor, guiding early-stage science into successful enterprise with strategic insight and operational depth. Throughout the week, Bullpen will host engaging programming across Boston innovation hubs like Portal Innovations, SmartLabs, and EPAM Continuum. Key agenda highlights include: Agenda Highlights Include: - Investor interviews with leaders from Novo Nordisk, Cincytech, DigitalDx, Mayo Clinic, Riverside Partners, and others, with open Q&A in the Press Room following each session. - Thematic forums exploring pivotal industry issues such as: - AI in Healthcare: Exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping patient care and discovery. - Patient Access: Breaking down barriers to get therapies to those who need them most. - Tech Transfer: Bridging academic science and commercial application. - Rare Disease: Elevating patient voices and rare innovation journeys. - Global Forums: Perspectives from Japan, Korea, Canada, and Australia spotlighting international innovation. - Women in VC and venture insights sessions, giving voice to underrepresented perspectives in capital formation and funding trends. As BIO Week wraps, Bullpen leaves behind more than a schedule, it strengthens a movement. One that champions science, centers people, and dares to do things differently. With the Emerging Fund as its catalyst, Bullpen is helping the next generation of health innovators go further, faster. About Bullpen: Founded on the mantra Find Someone to Help. Repeat., Bullpen is a volunteer-led, member-driven network designed to foster meaningful connections and accelerate innovation in life sciences. With no booths or sales pitches, Bullpen cultivates a space where authentic conversation drives real outcomes. Its members include public and private company leaders, VCs, strategics, accelerators, and non-profit executives dedicated to building the future of health. Media Inquiries: Madelyn De Los Santos Putnam Insights email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Topgolf Founders' New Bar Concept Gets $34M From Blitzer, Sharp Alpha
The brothers who started Topgolf and Puttshack are back, this time with a high-tech spin on a billiard hall. Poolhouse, a bar-restaurant entertainment concept from Steve and Dave Jolliffe, has secured $34 million in investment from a slate of high-profile investors. 'Despite its long-standing global popularity, pool remains one of the last sports to embrace the possibilities of tech-enabled gameplay, still relegated to antiquated pool halls and the backrooms of smoke-filled dive bars,' Lloyd Danzig, managing partner at lead investor Sharp Alpha, said in an email. 'There is an opportunity to reshape how people perceive and play the game of pool.' More from Underdog Newest Fantasy Sports Unicorn as Spark Leads $70M Round Investing in Athlete Futures Proves to Be a Hard Sell Coffey Talk: Scrum's Michael Proman on Sports Tech VC Danzig and Sharp Alpha—an investment firm specializing in competitive entertainment including sports—are joined in the $34 million seed investment by 76ers and Devils co-owner David Blitzer, Ipswich Town FC co-owner Simon Sports, Active Partners and Emerging Fund, a $100 million investment fund focused on sports-themed restaurants. DMG Ventures' consumer VC fund is co-lead in the round with Sharp Alpha. In addition, Australia's Signature Hospitality Group has taken an equity stake and signed a franchise agreement with Poolhouse, according to a press release to be issued later Monday. Poolhouse is the result of four years of development by the Jolliffe brothers, built around interactive games available on a pool table. According to Emerging Fund's Mathew Focht, the technology uses projection mapping on a regular pool table to offer any number of games. Pool matches can also include handicapping ability to level the competition between a more-skilled and less-skilled player, according to Focht. 'If you're playing a game and one player is making all the shots while you're missing, an algorithm kicks in and gives you opportunities to score more points … and makes it competitive,' Focht said in a phone interview. 'It transforms the game of pool to broad market appeal.' The first Poolhouse location is planned near London's Liverpool Street Station, the busiest train terminal in the UK. It will be 21,500 square feet and feature a drink menu curated by the Venning brothers, known for their London bars Three Sheets, which boast an elevated cocktail menu. A former Gordon Ramsey Group executive chef will be leading the food side of the house, although that person's name isn't being immediately disclosed. Andrew O'Brien, a former Credit Suisse banker and a current board member of F1 Arcade is CEO of Poolhouse, and Matt Fleming, a veteran of London bars Be At One and Vagabond Wines, is chief operating company plans to franchise the Poolhouse bar-restaurant globally and will license its game technology to other hospitality operators. Poolhouse says they are already in discussions with operators in the Middle East, North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. 'We're already seeing significant demand from hotels, casinos and traditional pool halls as well as some unexpected venues for Poolhouse's white-label solution, which transforms any pool table into a tech-enabled entertainment console,' Danzig said. 'It is rare to invest in a pre-launch concept that already has such a high volume of capital commitments from top-tier operators to develop franchise locations.' Best of The 100 Most Valuable Sports Teams in the World NFL Private Equity Ownership Rules: PE Can Now Own Stakes in Teams Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia and Collectibles in History Sign in to access your portfolio
