Company Types:
- Pre-seed stage companies
- Seed stage companies
- Series A companies
- Diverse and women first-time founders
- Academic/corporate spin-offs
- Non-U.S. clusters seeking pre-commercial foothold in CA
Mission: To be a catalyst for life sciences innovation, bolster our CA community, and help entrepreneurs build successful ventures by offering advisory, complementary programs and access to capital to first-time founders with early-stage innovative, transformational projects.
Purpose: To propel the use of biological sciences to develop innovative and impactful solutions that benefit society and maintain California’s leadership in life sciences innovation.
Who We Serve
Technology Focus:
- Biotech /Therapeutics/ Drug Discovery
- Delivery Platforms
- Diagnostics and Precision Medicine
- Medical Devices
- Research Tools, Translational Tools (Organoids)
- Medtech/ Digital Health
Startup Advisory Program | FAST California (10-year track record)
FAST California provides founders of disruptive innovative life science technology companies with a customized advisory program to perfect their business models, assess strategic focus, maximize IP and help develop a milestone and scale-up plan to exit. A group of curated advisors, each with deep domain expertise, will work with them over twelve weeks to build a compelling commercialization strategy and prepare them for an Innovation Showcase to a curated audience of potential investors and collaboration partners.
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Positioning for Capital | Workshops
First-time founders learn what it takes to close the deal on a Seed or Series A round with venture capital funds and/or angel investors. Case study discussions and other practical tips to set up a successful funding round and strategy, including negotiation tips with lead investors and other insights in a series of five recorded workshops.
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Access to Capital | Discounts to Partnering Conferences
Through our Innovation Showcases and exclusive opportunities for our members at industry leading partnering and investor conferences, CLS connects early-stage innovators with funding sources, mentorship, and opportunities to present to the industry.
CLS Innovation Showcase
CLS’s Innovation Showcase (held twice a year at the conclusion of the FAST spring and fall program), creates a unique experience for the start-up community to spotlight FAST graduates and California’s entrepreneurship. Audience attendance of approximately 300+ life science stakeholders including biopharma representatives, investors, key advisors, expert service providers.
Founders Channel | Peer-to-Peer Resource Exchange
CLS offers founders several opportunities and resources to help propel their novel ideas into the next great innovation. The bi-monthly Founders Channel newsletter is designed for life science founders seeking resources, programs, thought leadership, discounts and access to networking events, and curated opportunities to support you in your fundraising quest.
CLS is also proud to sponsor Procopio’s Life Sciences CEO Connection Program, an exclusive, invite only and complimentary program designed to foster meaningful connections and support needed to address the unique challenges of leadership in the life science sector.
Interested in Learning More?
 Shikha Sharma, PhDSenior Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship [email protected] 510 384 9108 |