FInCo Seminar Registration
FInCo Seminar Registration
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FInCo Seminar
November 19, 2026 · ⏰ 14:00–15:00 · FIMM Lounge + Zoom
“Investors’ expectations for research-based health & life science companies”
Speaker
Sara Kangaspeska
Investment Director, Innovestor Life Science
Former FIMM researcher
About the seminar
What do investors look for when evaluating research-based health and life science companies — and what should researchers understand before seeking external investment?
In this seminar, Sara Kangaspeska will provide an investor’s perspective on the development and financing of research-based companies in the health and life sciences. She will discuss how investment opportunities are evaluated, what investors expect from scientific founders and early-stage companies, and which factors can make a project more — or less — attractive for investment.
The seminar will also offer a particularly relevant career perspective for the FIMM community. As a former FIMM researcher who has moved from academic research into venture capital, Sara will share her own transition from researcher to investor, describe her current role at Innovestor Life Science, and discuss what working in life science investment looks like in practice.
Topics and questions relevant to the seminar include:
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what investors look for in research-based health and life science companies;
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how early-stage scientific and commercial opportunities are evaluated;
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what level of scientific validation, business development and team maturity investors expect;
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what researchers should consider when preparing to seek external investment;
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common strengths and weaknesses of research-based companies from an investor’s perspective;
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how the transition from academic research to venture capital can happen;
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what skills and experience from research are useful in an investment career.
The seminar will include approximately 30–35 minutes of presentation, followed by discussion and Q&A.
Relevant for researchers, senior scientists, group leaders, scientific founders, innovation professionals and anyone interested in commercialization, entrepreneurship, venture capital or career opportunities beyond academic research.