We typically begin working with a client at a point where the science has been validated in rigorous, reproducible experiments and has filed initial patent applications to protect the intellectual property. Often, interesting opportunities are brought to FBBp by the technology transfer organizations of the State’s universities, prior to company formation or shortly thereafter. We can have the greatest impact early in the process, before mistakes that jeopardize the potential of the technology have been made.
To become a client, a brief overview in the form of a non-confidential 2 page Executive Summary should be submitted to Dr. Michael Artinger (m.artinger@fbbp.org). Following an initial review, an in person meeting will be scheduled to allow a thorough discussion of the concept as well as provide a summary of FBBp’s capabilities and processes. Upon acceptance of a client, the technology/company will receive guidance and support in identified priority areas, such as:
+ Company formation
+ Business model development
+ Technology assessment
+ Research planning
+ Market analysis
+ Patent and competitive landscape evaluation
+ Regulatory considerations
+ Reimbursement issues
+ Sales and marketing strategy
+ Identifying management candidates
+ Alliance development
+ Fundraising
When appropriate, clients will be rigorously prepared by the FBBp team to present to the Advisors, a group of local and regional venture capitalists, angel investors, life science executives and domain experts. This provides an excellent forum for our clients to test assumptions and gauge general receptivity to the opportunity in a setting similar to what the will encounter out on the road. Feedback from the Advisors is used to improve the Client’s pitch as well as address any identified weaknesses prior to initiating national fundraising and partnering efforts, where FBBp provides:
+ Access to angel networks and seed funding, including identifying State-based funding for technologies originating from Colorado universities
+ Nation-wide venture sourcing
+ Assistance with alliance development
+ Identifying additional non-dilutive funding sources, such as small business (STTR/SBIR) grants from a variety of sources, including NIH, NSF, DOD as well as philanthropic organizations.