PROGRAM FINALISTS

• SCAD

• PURMX THERAPEUTICS

• FERMELANTA

• iBODY

• PHYSIOLOGAS TECHNOLOGIES

KEY STATISTICS:

• Participated in 4 Day Bootcamp & Follow Up Online Training - 20 Companies

• Selected for Silicon Valley Immersion - 5 Companies

• Over 100 hours of training, mentoring and networking  per Start Up

• At least 10 investor or partner meetings per start up  

• Goal Achieved - All 5 finalists identified paths to revenue, including options for co-development, licensing, new customers, and investment.

PROGRAM DETAILS

PART 1 - BOOTCAMP & ONLINE TRAININGS                                     
July, 2024 - October, 2024

The Program began with a 4 day intensive week bootcamp in Japan for 20 leading biotech start ups, led by Ensanté and partners such as USMAC, BeVC, Springborne and others.  Companies were selected based on factors such as uniqueness and competitive advantage, value proposition, business model, growth potential and team skills, experience and passion. Companies that belonged to one of JETRO’s 8 Innovation Hubs in Japan were prioritized.  Over the next two months, Ensante’s team provided participating companies with personalized online coaching and training on topics such as entrepreneurship mindsets, customer centricity, storytelling, communication, leadership, value creation thesis, pitching and customer journey. Additional trainings focused on elements specific to the US Biotech Industry, such as the nuances of business development, partnering in US, how to pitch to US investors, shifts that make their technology/solution likely to succeed in their target, US IP and Trademark, Freedom to Operate, and FDA Regulatory Pathways.

PART 2 - SILICON VALLEY IMMERSION                                         
October, 2024 - February 2025

After the initial training experience, five companies were selected from the original group to participate in two five week long immersion sessions in Silicon Valley - one in  Fall  of 2024, and one in the Winter of 2025. Companies were selected based on factors such as the quality of their technological solution, how it fits in the US clinical workflow, path to market, ease to generating revenue, and anticipation of investor return, as well as English communication skills and coachability. The Silicon Valley immersions were hosted at UC Berkeley’s Bakar Bio Labs, part of the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (“QB3”) network of programs. Bakar Labs offers entrepreneurs world-class incubator space, introductions to patient capital, access to distinguished mentors, and vibrant founder communities.

The five finalist startups were provided with training, mentoring & networking opportunities designed to enable them to identify resources and conduct research on the US Market, understand how their biotechnology/solution fits in the US clinical workflow, understand FDA regulatory pathways, be versed in various business models and go to market strategies, know how to succinctly convey biotech business-focused content in a pitch deck, know how to pitch to potential Investors, customers, and partners, know the basics of social media publicity and marketing, and, most importantly, have some cultural competency in the biotech business practices in Silicon Valley. In addition to being part of the Baker Labs community, Ensanté helped the visiting start-ups participate in multiple networking events, such as Speed Dating, Mixers, and Conferences, and engage in regular  investor and partner meetings. Highlights included participating in the BioTech Showcase at JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in January 2025, strategy meetings with JLABS, as well as the Final Ensanté BioTech Showcase, hosted by Salesforce San Francisco, with a group of over 40 local investors, experts and VC’s.

PROGRAM RESULTS

The JETRO GSAP delivered by Ensanté successfully provided participants with an understanding of the business of bioscience in the US, and the ability to leverage this understanding to effectively communicate their business proposition to potential investors and partners. Notably, the program was successful in reaching the main goal - to have 5 finalists identify paths to revenue, including options for co-development, licensing, new customers, and investment. 

The program received strong positive feedback from JETRO, participants, mentors and partners. Program participants indicated that the experience provided valuable insights into business development, market entry, and networking in the U.S. biotech sector. Overall, participants were grateful for critical skills in relationship-building, strategic communication, and market positioning. The program successfully highlighted the differences between Japanese and U.S. business cultures, reinforcing the need for persistence, adaptability, and proactive outreach in the U.S. market. The in-country immersion experience underscored the importance of understanding cultural nuances, especially in networking and relationship-building. The quality of interactions between educators, mentors, and guest speakers significantly contributed to the program’s impact.