Early-bird registration is now available for the 2026 Wilson Sonsini Entrepreneur and Investor Life Sciences Summit, scheduled for March 12-13 in Salt Lake City. The event, co-presented by BioUtah and Brigham Young University's College of Life Sciences and Technology Transfer Office, will bring together entrepreneurs and investors in the life sciences field. Early bird discounts are available through February 15, offering reduced rates for those who register promptly.
The summit will feature Monica DiCenso, managing director and head of global investment opportunities group at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, who will discuss the life sciences investment landscape and outlook. Her presentation will provide valuable insights into current market trends and future opportunities for investors and companies in the sector. This analysis comes at a time when life sciences investment remains a critical driver of innovation in healthcare and biotechnology.
A key component of the event will be a Shark Tank-style life sciences pitch competition, where winners will receive a cash prize. This competition provides a platform for emerging companies to showcase their innovations to potential investors and industry leaders. The format encourages entrepreneurial development and could lead to significant funding opportunities for promising startups in medical device manufacturing, biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and diagnostics.
The summit will take place March 12 at the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City, followed by a ski day and luncheon at Snowbird Ski Resort on March 13. This combination of business programming and networking opportunities in a recreational setting reflects Utah's unique position as both a growing life sciences hub and a destination for outdoor activities. The ski day component facilitates informal connections between entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals that could lead to future collaborations.
For business and technology leaders, this summit represents an opportunity to engage with one of the country's emerging life sciences ecosystems. Utah's life sciences industry, represented by BioUtah member companies, has become a key driver of the state's economy and healthcare advancement. The partnership with Brigham Young University's College of Life Sciences and Technology Transfer Office ensures academic research and innovation will be part of the conversation, potentially leading to commercialization opportunities for university-developed technologies.
The event's timing in early 2026 allows participants to gain insights into investment trends and innovation pipelines that could shape the industry in the coming years. For investors, the summit offers access to deal flow in a sector that continues to attract significant capital despite market fluctuations. For entrepreneurs, it provides visibility, networking opportunities, and potential funding sources at a critical stage of company development. The Wilson Sonsini sponsorship adds legal and business expertise to the programming, addressing the complex regulatory and intellectual property challenges facing life sciences companies.
