There aren't many investors at the very earliest stages of company development. Supporting startups at their critical stages is one of the most effective ways to accelerate innovation. This simply would not happen without BioSTL’s and BioGenerator’s work to invest in these companies and develop an ecosystem for them to thrive.
We support companies, identify new deal opportunities, and perform deep analyses on these opportunities. We are quite hands-on, supporting them in developing business models and technology.
What people may not realize is that these investment decisions are very complex. On the surface, it might look like we are simply writing a check, but we are meticulously assessing many variables that are hard to predict. This includes the technology, market, financial models, and the team capabilities to build sustainable, impactful companies that translate into an investment outcome. The resulting diligence package is quite thorough. Each opportunity is different.
My colleague Kari and I prepared a diligence report for an agtech company that BioGenerator backed from its earliest stages. The company was at a pivotal moment, needing investment to launch its first commercial product. We were able to support that by providing our expertise and our analysis of the investment opportunity. Our work helped attract investors so the company could grow, expand their team and increase their impact. It’s a great example of the success of BioGenerator’s model of supporting early-stage innovations.
BioSTL is nearly 25 years old, but it still feels like it's constantly growing and evolving, which I find energizing.
Every startup and opportunity is different, and that's what attracted me to science originally. No experiment is the same, no scientific question is the same, and no company is the same. I feel like I'm constantly learning in this job, which allows me to be a lifelong student.
I’m also inspired by my own experience as a biologist in St. Louis. Like so many others, I came here for my technical training and did not necessarily expect to stay. Now, 14 years later, I have been grateful to experience much opportunity here and call St. Louis home.
My training in genetics gives me a solid base to understand the technology, challenges, and goals of a broad category of biotech research companies. I think using this expertise to help those building the next forefront of ag research is very exciting.
Looking back at my choices, from my PhD research at WashU to my role at the local startup, Pluton Biosciences, I've always been attracted to early-stage projects. I like being part of building things.
I enjoy art and painting. I've always leaned into the visual arts since I was a kid. It uses a different side of my brain. It's a good re-centering exercise for me when I'm feeling a little stressed or distracted. It's always been something I come back to. I've been experimenting with watercolors recently.
The people. It's inspiring to work with people who are all focused on the same ambitious mission but come at it from different skill sets and experiences.
The multi-angled approach that BioSTL is taking is powerful, and putting all that under one roof is huge. BioGenerator fits into that as one piece of the puzzle, creating more innovation, companies, economic activity, and job opportunities. But it has to be part of a bigger quilt of policy and workforce development. These are all interconnected pieces, building upon the biotech strengths of the St. Louis region.
Read more about Ann and all the people who make BioSTL here.
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