Activation Capital

Today, we give thanks for the incredible innovators, entrepreneurs, and collaborators who drive progress in life sciences and advanced technologies. Your dedication and creativity are transforming ideas into solutions that improve lives, create jobs, and strengthen our communities. As we reflect on this season of gratitude, we’re reminded of the power of collaboration and the importance of building an inclusive and supportive ecosystem where everyone can thrive. Together, we are shaping a brighter future, one breakthrough at a time. From all of us at Activation Capital, we wish you and your loved ones a safe, joyful, and meaningful season of gratitude.

On Wednesday, we hosted our inaugural final showcase for the Frontier BioHealth program! What an incredible journey this has been for the 10 amazing startups who participated. A huge round of applause to each of you for your hard work, dedication, and innovation in advancing healthcare. We can’t wait to see where you go next! A heartfelt thank you to Activation Capital for putting together this program, and to Fat Robin, FedTech and William Dickson for the invaluable mentorship and support you provided these companies. A special thanks to Secretary Caren Merrick for helping us celebrate with an inspiring speech at our Final Showcase! The future of healthcare innovation is looking brighter than ever with this group of passionate entrepreneurs at the helm. We are excited to see the lasting impact you’ll make in the BioHealth space! #BioHealth #Innovation #Healthcare #FrontierBioHealth #Startups #ActivationCapital #FatRobinConsulting #FedTech #Entrepreneurship

🎉 Activation Capital is proud to celebrate our very own Jim Pannucci, PhD, and the other outstanding leaders and organizations from our community who are finalists in the 2024 BioBuzz Life Sciences Awards! Each year, the BioBuzz Awards honor excellence across the life sciences community, recognizing impactful leaders, companies, and initiatives that are shaping the future of biohealth. This year, we’re thrilled that Jim, our Vice President of Entrepreneurship, is a finalist for Community Builder of the Year -- a testament to his dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation across the region. We’re excited to celebrate these incredible finalists from our community: 🌟 BioHealth Leader of the Year: Eric Edwards, MD, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Phlow. 🌟 Community Builder of the Year: Jim Pannucci, PhD AND Nikki Hastings, Executive Director of CvilleBioHub. 🌟 Employer of the Year: Civica Rx AND US Pharmacopeia. 🗳️ Here’s how you can help: Voting is open now through 11:59 p.m. EST, Friday, December 13, 2024, and you can vote once per day! Let’s rally together to support Jim and the other amazing finalists who are driving innovation, collaboration, and growth in our biohealth community. 📢 Vote here: https://lnkd.in/er8piHHE #ActivationCapital #BioBuzzAwards #CommunityBuilder #LifeSciences #Innovation #BetterTogether

Activation Capital was honored to host an inspiring group of leaders this week from across Virginia, united by their commitment to strengthening the state’s biomanufacturing ecosystem. This impactful event, organized by the Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, brought together a dynamic network of academia, government, non-profit, and private sector organizations to foster collaboration and innovation. Nicolai Shuman of Activation Capital kicked off the day with a warm welcome, followed by insights from John Newby of Virginia Bio and an inspiring keynote by Juan Pablo Segura, CPA. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this exciting day of connection and progress! Together, we’re building a stronger, more innovative future for biomanufacturing in Virginia. #Biomanufacturing #Innovation #Collaboration #ActivationCapital #BioTech

Virginia’s life sciences ecosystem continues to thrive, thanks to the innovators and trailblazers who call the VA Bio+Tech Park home! This week, we celebrate one of those remarkable leaders: Dr. Massimo Bertino, the 2024 Virginia Commonwealth University Innovator of the Year. Dr. Bertino, a physicist and professor in VCU's Department of Physics, has made history as the first physicist to earn this prestigious honor in the award’s 17-year history. Dr. Bertino’s work focuses on aerogels—the world’s most effective insulation material—which he has revolutionized through innovative, safer, and more cost-effective manufacturing techniques. His research addresses one of the long-standing challenges of aerogel production: the hazardous and expensive supercritical drying process. By developing a method that eliminates this step, Bertino and his team have made aerogels more accessible and practical for commercial and residential use. The result -- advanced insulation materials that are thinner, lightweight, flame-proof, and moisture-resistant, with the potential to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions! Dr. Bertino’s innovation is being brought to market through ThermaGEL Innovations, Inc., a VCU spin-off company located in the heart of the Virginia Bio+Tech Park. This partnership highlights the park’s role as a hub for transformative research and commercial development. Currently undergoing testing at ThermaGEL’s headquarters in Richmond, these advanced aerogels are poised to revolutionize energy efficiency in building insulation—delivering the same insulation value as traditional materials like styrofoam at a fraction of the thickness. This achievement is more than a scientific milestone; it’s a testament to the interdisciplinary collaboration at VCU. Dr. Bertino’s partnership with VCU chemist and ThermaGEL exemplifies how diverse expertise can converge to create groundbreaking solutions. Congratulations to Dr. Bertino on this well-deserved honor! His work is a shining example of the innovation, collaboration, and leadership that define the Virginia Bio+Tech Park and the Commonwealth’s vibrant life sciences community. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gxjB_W3c

🎉 TONIGHT we CELEBRATE! Join us at the Frontier BioHealth Startup Showcase, happening this evening, November 20, from 4-7 PM at Main Street Station in Richmond, VA. We invite you to celebrate the journey of 10 life sciences startups as they showcase their innovations and milestones. Whether you're a life sciences enthusiast or a curious community member, this is an event you won’t want to miss. See you there! 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2UvDd3G Discover more about Frontier BioHealth: https://lnkd.in/e3SwKNWJ #LifeSciences #Innovation #BioHealth #StartupShowcase #FrontierBioHealth Atticus Pharma, GenAssist, Gisens Biotech, KeViRx, Inc., Light Switch Bio, Oncoustics, OrthoPreserve, Pele Therapeutics, Rapid Forensic Cell Typing, Inc, Vizma Life Sciences, gener8tor, Fat Robin, FedTech

🚨Tomorrow’s the day!🚨Join us at the Frontier BioHealth Startup Showcase, happening tomorrow, November 20, from 4-7 PM at Main Street Station in Richmond, VA. Celebrate the journey of 10 life sciences startups as they showcase their innovations and milestones. Whether you're a life sciences enthusiast or a curious community member, this is an event you won’t want to miss. See you there! 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2UvDd3G Discover more about Frontier BioHealth: https://lnkd.in/e3SwKNWJ #LifeSciences #Innovation #BioHealth #StartupShowcase #FrontierBioHealth Atticus Pharma, GenAssist, Gisens Biotech, KeViRx, Inc., Light Switch Bio, Oncoustics, OrthoPreserve, Pele Therapeutics, Rapid Forensic Cell Typing, Inc, Vizma Life Sciences, gener8tor, Fat Robin, FedTech

🎉 Frontier BioHealth Startup Showcase is THIS WEEK! Join us on Wednesday, November 20 to celebrate our thriving network of life sciences innovators! 🎉 Frontier BioHealth Startup Showcase will take place from 4-7 PM at Main Street Station in Richmond, VA, and will feature 10 innovative life sciences startups that have completed the Frontier BioHealth program. This 16-week journey has equipped these companies with the tools, mentorship, and networks to drive growth and make an impact in biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and health-focused consumer products. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2UvDd3G Discover more about Frontier BioHealth: https://lnkd.in/e3SwKNWJ #LifeSciences #Innovation #BioHealth #StartupShowcase #FrontierBioHealth Atticus Pharma, GenAssist, Gisens Biotech, KeViRx, Inc., Light Switch Bio, Oncoustics, OrthoPreserve, Pele Therapeutics, Rapid Forensic Cell Typing, Inc, Vizma Life Sciences, gener8tor, Fat Robin, FedTech

Meet Gisens Biotech, part of the pioneering Frontier BioHealth cohort! Their saliva test empowers chronic kidney disease patients with at-home health monitoring, eliminating constant clinic visits. They've secured pilots with top pharma companies and raised $500K. 💡 Gisens is seeking experts in breakthrough devices and new pilot partners. Be part of this groundbreaking kidney health solution: https://lnkd.in/eCFRF7Hi Explore Frontier BioHealth: https://lnkd.in/e3SwKNWJ 👉 Make sure join us for the Frontier BioHealth Startup Showcase featuring Gisens and the other groundbreaking companies on November 20 to see their progress and learn about their impact on the future of healthcare. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2UvDd3G #FrontierBioHealth #Innovation #KidneyHealth #HomeDiagnostics #MedTech #GisensBiotech Luis Pierpauli gener8tor Fat Robin FedTech

⚕️ Meet Pele Therapeutics, a participant in our first-ever Frontier BioHealth cohort! They are advancing non-viral gene therapy to treat metabolic and fibrotic diseases like diabetes and arthritis, offering a safer, affordable alternative. 💡 Pele is looking to connect with experts in regulatory and reimbursement strategies and healthcare providers specializing in diabetes. Get involved in shaping the future of gene therapy! Check out Frontier BioHealth: https://lnkd.in/e3SwKNWJ And make sure join us for the Frontier BioHealth Startup Showcase featuring Pele and the other groundbreaking companies on November 20 to see their progress and learn about their impact on the future of healthcare. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e2UvDd3G #FrontierBioHealth #Innovation #GeneTherapy #BioHealth #LifeSciences #PeleTherapeutics Anna Bulysheva Michael P. Francis, PhD Austin Tapp Heather Amin gener8tor Fat Robin FedTech