As an outgrowth of the MedTech Network, Innovation Insight was asked by the local law practice of Foley and Lardner to design and facilitate a creative networking event that would bring Florida medical technology entrepreneurs together with investors. The result was an invitation-only “speed networking” event on July 9, 2003, based upon the popular “speed dating” system. Our event brought together a couple dozen investment banks and venture firms from as far away as Chicago, and selected entrepreneurs from life sciences, medical device and instrumentation, pharmaceutical and biotech companies with vetted pitches for capital. Each entrepreneur was seated with a potential investor and given 10 minutes to sell their “pitch”; after ten minutes, entrepreneurs were moved to the next table to start again.

The event was a unique success by several measures; the following articles covered the event in local press.

• Tampa Bay Review. July 18, 2003: “Speed Dating for Dollars”
• Tampa Tribune, July 10, 2003: “Fla. Biotech Sector Courts Venture Capital”
• St Petersburg Times, July 10, 2003: “Fast Pitch for Big Bucks”