The inaugural Venture Fellows program will graduate the current cohort with a virtual pitch event on April 4, 2025. During this online event, each Venture Fellow will present their own pitch to a panel of ecosystem investors and partners. This event is the culmination of an intensive six-month curriculum including experiential learning in venture capital investing and company creation, as the Fellows have collaborated with entrepreneurs, investors, and faculty in the St. Louis ecosystem.
The Venture Fellows Pitch Event is open to observers. During this online event, the FY 24-25 Venture Fellows cohort will present their own pitches to a panel of ecosystem investors and partners. Register to attend here.
The Washington University in St. Louis Office of Technology Management (OTM) and BioGenerator launched the Venture Fellows Program in September 2024. The cohort of four Venture Fellows, all Washington University postdoctoral researchers representing disciplines from WashU’s Arts & Sciences, McKelvey School of Engineering, and the School of Medicine, include: Michelle Connor, MD; Jae Morris, PhD; Piya Siripoksup, PhD and Bryce Stottlemire, PhD. Learn more about the cohort here.
Over the past six months, the Venture Fellows have utilized their scientific and analytical skills to provide analyses of potential startups through written and oral recommendations, covering all aspects of technology and business development. They have had exposure to several WashU biotech startups, learning the steps in the company creation process from pitch deck generation to exit opportunity evaluation. And, the cohort has participated in special events to help them build connections with the St. Louis entrepreneurial ecosystem.
BioGenerator Ventures has worked in tandem with the OTM New Ventures team to develop and present the curriculum for the cohort over the past six months. “BioGenerator Ventures is proud to support this program, sharing the expertise and insights we’ve cultivated through entrepreneur mentorship. By bringing our experience to these incredibly talented and intelligent Fellows along with our partnership with the OTM New Ventures team, we aim to empower them with the tools, knowledge, and network needed to drive impactful innovation,” comments David Smoller, PhD, entrepreneur in residence, BioGenerator Ventures. “We look forward to seeing the groundbreaking ventures they will develop and the contributions they will make to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
Funding for the Venture Fellows program is partially provided through a National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation Grant (ART) to the University of Missouri – Columbia. The University of Missouri has partnered with WashU as their mentor institution as they establish the foundations of a robust technology entrepreneurship and commercialization hub.
Are you a WashU Postdoc interested in becoming a Venture Fellow? Applications for the FY 25-26 Venture Fellows program will close on June 1. To apply, submit your resume and cover letter to peek@wustl.edu. More information is available here.
