Startup TNT Calgary - Top 20 Pitch Night

Made, Not Found: How Scientists Become Biotech Founders Most trainees in Calgary are shown two paths: academia, or industry. The space between them — where research becomes a company — stays invisible. This evening is about making it visible. Four people who have each lived a different part of venture creation sit down together: the investor who funds it, the coach who runs it, the fellows who went through the program. Expect a candid conversation about how biotech companies actually get built by scientists, and what it takes to decide that founding one is a normal career move rather than an exceptional one. The evening opens with a short introduction to Nucleate Canada's Activator and Amplitude's Pre-Amp venture creation engine, followed by a moderated panel and networking. On the panel Logan Germain — Moderator. Nucleate leader, from the Activator team supporting early-stage teams in Toronto, and a PreAmp fellow. JF Pariseau — Managing Partner, Amplitude Ventures. The investor's view on what makes a scientific founder fundable, and what Amplitude is building in Alberta. Eric Desjardins — Venture Associate, PreAmp. Three and a half years coaching biotech venture creation, plus co-founder Stereo BioTherapeutics. Katelyn Shewchuk — PreAmp Fellow, Calgary. What the programme looks like from the inside, and how she got there. Who this is for Graduate students, postdocs, and early-career researchers wondering whether there's a path from the bench to a company. Founders already in motion. Investors and ecosystem builders who want to see where the next Alberta biotech companies come from. 🧬 Agenda 🚪 5:30 – 5:50 · Doors, check-in & refreshments Grab a drink, find a seat, say hi to someone you don't know yet. 👋 5:50 – 6:00 · Why this room exists? Nucleate Canada's welcome! 🚀 6:00 – 6:15 · Activator & Pre-Amp What each program does, who it's for, and how you can join? 🎙️ 6:15 – 7:15 · Panel: How a scientist becomes a founder 🙋 7:15 – 7:30 · Open floor: ask the question you

Breakthrough science is only the beginning. This panel will explore how strong founding teams help translate promising life sciences research into venture-backable companies—and why the people behind an innovation are critical to attracting early-stage investment. Hear practical perspectives from experienced founders and investors on what makes a team investable, how researchers can build complementary commercial capabilities, and the role of co-founders, advisors, and industry partners in advancing a venture. This session is designed for researchers, faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, life sciences founders, investors, and commercialization professionals interested in building and supporting successful research-driven ventures. UCeed is one of Canada’s most active pre-seed investors in health and life sciences, supporting researchers and founders at the earliest stages of venture creation. Panelists: Dr. Jehangir Appoo, MD (Founding Partner, AioT Health VC Fund) Dr. Pere Santamaria, MD, Ph.D (CSO & Founder of Parvus Therapeutics Inc.) Jord Cowan (VP Operations, Parvus Therapeutics Inc.) Dr. John H. Wong, MD (Co-founder & CEO of Fluid Biomed Inc., Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at UCalgary) Moderated By: Pete Santosham (Executive Director, UCeed)

No founder builds a company alone. Behind every successful startup is a network of mentors, commercialization programs, industry partners and ecosystem organizations that help turn promising ideas into investable companies. Hear firsthand from founders who have navigated Alberta's innovation ecosystem and leveraged programs such as LSIH, Innovate Calgary, IMPACT and the Medtech Innovation Highway to accelerate product development, validate technologies, secure partnerships and prepare for commercialization. Through honest conversations and real-world experiences, discover which supports mattered most, when to access them and how they helped companies move from idea to impact.

It's time to swap the lab coats for cowboy hats. Welcome to Calgary's Inaugural Life Sciences After Party! This isn't another networking event. It's where Alberta's life sciences community comes to celebrate. After Calgary Spotlight Day, head to the Sam Centre for an evening packed with great people, great music, happy hour drinks, appetizers and fun activations. What to expect: A showcase from Bowhead Corp, featuring its innovative adaptive cycle and mobility technology Western-inspired food, appetizers and refreshments A specially created science-themed cocktail Music and interactive Western-themed experiences Access to the Sam Centre’s immersive galleries Plenty of time to meet new collaborators and reconnect with colleagues from across Alberta’s life sciences ecosystem Whether you're looking to meet your next collaborator, reconnect with colleagues, or simply enjoy a night out with the ecosystem, you won't want to miss it!