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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

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A state-wide program 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.

Tailored, expert guidance 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 to pitch to potential investors and collaboration partners.

Specialist deep dives In addition to mentorship, positioning for capital resources include live and on-demand workshops focused roadshow prep, pitch development, term sheet negotiation, due diligence, and other best practices to close the deal on a Seed or Series A round with venture capital funds and/or angel investors. CLS has partnered with industry leaders who can offer practical tips to set up a successful funding round and strategy.

Meet the 2024 Spring Cohort here!

“The diversity of our FAST advisors’ domain expertise allowed our small team to work through multiple obstacles and opportunities, from technical to legal. Their advice was instrumental in preparing ourselves for external meetings regarding intellectual property and strategic partnerships.” (Alex Moreland, Phd, Xiresta)

“The FAST program set our team up with a world class advisory team that exploded our growth through robust discussion and an amazing network of connections that we were able to leverage. The opportunity to discuss strategy and development decisions with industry veterans was crucial for our team which came from mostly academic backgrounds. We have grown so much as a company thanks to the FAST program!” (Marco Lobba, PhD, Catena Biosciences)

Our advisor community is a great way to network with likeminded individuals. If you are interested in an advisor or mentor role to work with start-ups or have specific domain expertise to help them, please complete our intake form to help us understand your area of expertise and interest. We tap into our advisor community using the information you provide and will reach out if there is a company that could use your expertise.

Apply to be a FAST Advisor

Chiesi Discovery Award: Companies and academia who are developing innovative therapeutic approaches for rare diseases, novel tools, and platform technologies for applications in nucleotide therapeutics are encouraged to apply for the new Chiesi FAST Discovery Award. The winner will be selected to participate in the CLS FAST 2024 Fall cohort.

FAST MedTechColor Track: The CLS/ MedTech Color collaboration stems from a mutual desire to advance the representation of persons of color in the medical device industry by supporting founders through funding and mentorship from industry leaders. In 2023, BIOMED was selected to participate in in the FAST Fall cohort. Kofimi Technology Inc., is currently participating in the 2024 Spring cohort

Servier Discovery Award: Companies and academia who are developing innovative therapeutic approaches in the areas of oncology; genetically driven neurodegenerative and movement disorders are encouraged applied for the new Servier FAST Discovery Award. The winner will be selected to participate in the CLS FAST Fall cohort.

Wacker Discovery Award: Companies that are developing pDNA and/or mRNA-based therapeutics and biopharmaceutical technologies are encouraged to apply for the newly launched Wacker Biotech Discovery Award. The winner of the competition shall receive in-kind credits, valued at $100,000, to work at Wacker Biotech and receive an invitation to give a company presentation at the CLS Innovation Showcase taking place December 10 in Berkeley.

PLATINUM SPONSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000

1. Startup Advisory Program | FAST California: Recognition as a Platinum Sponsor for two FAST cohorts (12-month period- Spring and Fall) supporting 24 start-ups in their fundraising and commercialization journey.
◆ Branding: Logo visibility on all CLS FAST program-related materials (website, signage, social media, email, etc.)
◆ Application Review Process: Opportunity to help select participating startups/technologies for both cohorts
◆ Advisory: Opportunity to recommend advisor(s) or serve as advisor to selected startup(s) in the cohort
◆ Business Development: Opportunity to access to earlystage transformational projects and solutions of FAST applicants

2. CLS Innovation Showcase: Recognition as a sponsor of the Innovation Showcase (held twice a year at the conclusion of the FAST spring and fall program), creating a unique experience for the start-up community to spotlight FAST graduates and California’s entrepreneurship. Audience attendance of approximately 300+ life sciences stakeholders including biopharma representatives, investors, key advisors, and expert service providers.

◆ One (1) full-page advertisement in the digital program. Digital program to be distributed as a supplement in CLS’ biweekly bulletin and featured on the website
post-event
◆ Option to host tabletop display during networking reception (exclusive benefit for service providers)
◆ Logo visibility on all event-related materials (website, event signage, digital program, social media, email, etc.)

3. Positioning for Capital: Supporter recognition on virtual education bootcamp(s): prepping a road show, fundraising and pitch training.
4. Thought Leadership: Opportunity to develop and lead an educational webinar/workshop, in partnership with CLS, to help you engage your targeted audience. Content must be of educational benefit to the CLS startup community and not constitute a solicitation of services.

GOLD SPONSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000

1. Startup Advisory Program | FAST California: Recognition as a Gold Sponsor for one FAST cohort (6-month periodSpring or Fall) supporting 12 start-ups in their fundraising and commercialization journey.
◆ Branding: Logo visibility on all CLS FAST program-related materials (website, signage, social media, email, etc.)
◆ Advisory: Opportunity to recommend advisor or serve as advisor to one startup in the cohort
◆ Business Development: Opportunity to access to early-stage transformational projects and solutions of FAST applicants
2. CLS Innovation Showcase: Recognition as a sponsor of either the Spring or Fall Innovation Showcase (dependent on the sponsored time-period), creating a unique experience for the start-up community to spotlight FAST graduates and California’s entrepreneurship. Audience attendance of approximately 300+
life sciences stakeholders including biopharma representatives, investors, key advisors, expert service providers.
◆ One (1) half-page advertisement in the digital program. Digital program to be distributed as a supplement in CLS’ biweekly bulletin and featured on the website post-event
◆ Logo visibility on all event-related materials (website, event signage, digital program, social media, email, etc.)

FAST DISCOVERY AWARD . . . . . . . . . PRICING STARTS AT $30K

◆ Exclusive sponsorship of a FAST competition seeking emerging technologies in sponsor’s areas of interest
◆ CLS will market and promote the sponsor’s FAST Discovery Award (“Company Name” FAST Discovery Award) and manage the details of the competition
◆ Sponsor selects a company for the FAST Discovery Award
◆ Opportunity to deliver brief remarks (2 minutes) at the Innovation Showcase
◆ This sponsorship package is highly customizable to meet your business needs. For an additional fee, gain access to the partnering forum, or participate in a keynote or panel discussion at the Innovation Showcase. Contact Shikha Sharma, to learn more.