Bullpen Launches Emerging Fund to Champion the Next Generation of Life Sciences Innovators
'BIO Week is our opportunity to strip away the noise and create a space where life science leaders can connect authentically, share candid insights, and forge the partnerships.'— Christiaan Engstrom, CEO of Bullpen.
BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES, June 4, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / -- Bullpen, a trusted community of life sciences dealmakers, today announced the launch of its Bullpen Emerging Fund, a bold initiative designed to back mission-driven startups that are redefining the future of health. Through capital investment, deep mentorship, and access to a close-knit network of expert operators and investors, the fund aims to turn today's early-stage breakthroughs into tomorrow's clinical realities.
The Emerging Fund, available to accredited investors, invests in standout companies selected for Bullpen's On-Deck class—founders chosen not only for their science but for their grit, vision, and purpose. The 2025 cohort includes:
- Chandima Bandaranayaka, CEO: Precision Quantomics, accelerating drug discovery and personalized pharmacotherapy through high-resolution molecular profiling.
- David Mead, CEO: Terra Bioforge, harnessing synthetic biology to streamline biological production and accelerate therapeutic development.
- Doug Cohen, CEO: IR Medtek, developing real-time, noninvasive cancer detection technologies that improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes.
- Harsha Rajasimha, CEO: Jeeva Clinical Trials, delivering decentralized trial software that enhances patient access, retention, and diversity in clinical research.
- Linda Tempelman, CEO: Persista Bio, advancing cell therapy solutions for chronic diseases, including a novel approach to treating Type 1 diabetes.
Each of these founders will pitch during Bullpen's 'Money Ball' sessions, June 16–18 at BIO International, to an audience of mission-aligned investors and partners. More than a moment on stage, these pitches represent the culmination of rigorous preparation and the start of a meaningful growth journey.
'Bullpen was built on a simple idea: if you bring the right people together in the right way, the outcomes take care of themselves. BIO Week is our opportunity to strip away the noise and create a space where life science leaders can connect authentically, share candid insights, and forge the partnerships that will move this industry forward,' said Christiaan Engstrom, CEO of Bullpen.
Further information on the Bullpen Emerging Fund may be obtained from Ray Jordan, managing director, Putnam Insights LLC, and initial investor in the fund through Elmstead Partners LLC. Jordan may be reached at [email protected].
Expert Coaching to Catalyze Success
Behind each founder is a seasoned mentor:
- Michael Hill, Global Head of Science Innovations, MedTech Head Coach, with a legacy of scaling clinical tools from bench to bedside.
- Stella Vnook, CEO of Likarda and Therapies Head Coach, a biotech operator with deep experience in moving science-backed products through commercial launch.
- John Bonham-Carter, BioTools Head Coach and angel investor, guiding early-stage science into successful enterprise with strategic insight and operational depth.
Throughout the week, Bullpen will host engaging programming across Boston innovation hubs like Portal Innovations, SmartLabs, and EPAM Continuum. Key agenda highlights include:
Agenda Highlights Include:
- Investor interviews with leaders from Novo Nordisk, Cincytech, DigitalDx, Mayo Clinic, Riverside Partners, and others, with open Q&A in the Press Room following each session.
- Thematic forums exploring pivotal industry issues such as:
- AI in Healthcare: Exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping patient care and discovery.
- Patient Access: Breaking down barriers to get therapies to those who need them most.
- Tech Transfer: Bridging academic science and commercial application.
- Rare Disease: Elevating patient voices and rare innovation journeys.
- Global Forums: Perspectives from Japan, Korea, Canada, and Australia spotlighting international innovation.
- Women in VC and venture insights sessions, giving voice to underrepresented perspectives in capital formation and funding trends.
As BIO Week wraps, Bullpen leaves behind more than a schedule, it strengthens a movement. One that champions science, centers people, and dares to do things differently. With the Emerging Fund as its catalyst, Bullpen is helping the next generation of health innovators go further, faster.
About Bullpen:
Founded on the mantra Find Someone to Help. Repeat., Bullpen is a volunteer-led, member-driven network designed to foster meaningful connections and accelerate innovation in life sciences. With no booths or sales pitches, Bullpen cultivates a space where authentic conversation drives real outcomes. Its members include public and private company leaders, VCs, strategics, accelerators, and non-profit executives dedicated to building the future of health.
Media Inquiries:
Madelyn De Los Santos
Putnam Insights
email us here
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Cardinals listening to trade offers on All-Star closer
The St. Louis Cardinals could be gearing up towards a major sell-off at the trade deadline, including one of their key bullpen arms. Per Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Cardinals have been shopping around closer Ryan Helsley. After this season, Helsley will become an unrestricted free agent. 'Helsley, who wishes to remain in St. Louis, recently described his chances of being traded as '90 percent,' Woo wrote. 'The two-time All-Star closer is the longest-tenured Cardinal and expressed his hope for an extension in spring training. But the Cardinals' decline in July, combined with Chaim Bloom and a new front office taking over after the season, squashed all potential extension conversations.' Per Woo, while the Cardinals haven't officially declared that they are officially sellers, they have reached out to teams about Helsley, and other pitchers such as Steven Matz and Phil Maton. Additionally, JoJo Romero has been garnering interest as well. Helsley has pitched to a 3.00 ERA this season with 21 saves. With the Cardinals starting to slip further and further down the standings, the team could look to acquire assets in exchange for their top-tier closer. Helsley was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024. Up to this point, he has spent his entire seven-year career with the Cardinals. Now, it appears more likely than ever that the team will part with one of its mainstays in the back end of their bullpen for so long.


Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
Mega Millions winning numbers for July 25: $120 million jackpot
The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $120 million for the drawing on Friday, July 25 after no one matched all the winning numbers in the drawing on Tuesday, July 22. If someone matches all six numbers on Friday, they will have the option of a one-time cash payment of $52.8 million. There have been four Mega Millions winners this year, with the most recent being the June 27 win in Virginia of a jackpot of $348 million. Before then, on April 18, an Ohio player took home a $112 million jackpot, a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois took home a $344 million jackpot on March 25 and another lucky person hit the Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 17 for $113 million. Here are the winning numbers from the Mega Millions drawing on Friday, July 25, 2025. The winning numbers for Friday, July 25: 14-21-25-49-52 Gold Mega Ball: 7 Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. No one matched five white balls, so the Mega Millions jackpot increases to an estimated $130 million for the Tuesday, July 29 drawing. To view the list of past winners, visit the Mega Millions website. To play the Mega Millions, you have to buy a ticket. You can do this at a variety of locations, including your local convenience store, gas station or even grocery store. In some states, Mega Millions tickets can be bought online. Once you have your ticket, you need to pick six numbers. Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 70. The gold Mega Ball ranges from 1 to 24. If you're feeling especially unlucky or don't want to go through the hassle of picking, you can ask for a "Quick Pick" or an "Easy Pick.' These options let the computer randomly generate numbers for you. Mega Millions tickets now include a built-in multiplier, which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four, five, or 10 times. Before, players had to pay an extra dollar to add the "Megaplier.' Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. This story has been updated with new information. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit for full terms.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Mattel to keep roughly half of US toys below $20
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Toy company Mattel reported net sales in its second quarter were down 6% year over year to a little over $1 billion, according to a Wednesday press release. Net income was also down around 6% to $53.4 million. The company revised its full-year guidance. Net sales are now expected to be up 1% to 3%, compared to its previous outlook of between 2% to 3%. The company doesn't expect any additional price increases this year, Chief Financial Officer Paul Ruh told analysts, and between 40% to 50% of the company's U.S. products will continue to be priced under $20. Dive Insight: Mattel's goal is to keep prices as low as possible, according to executives. 'We're committed to the uninterrupted supply for a wide range of high-quality products and providing the right balance of price and value for our customers,' said Ruh, who joined the company roughly two months ago. With nearly 80% of toys imported to the U.S. coming from China, the category could prove to be especially vulnerable to the impact of tariffs. That is on top of a consumer base that is already stating prices will impact their purchasing behaviors during the back-to-school season, per an ICSC report. However, CEO Ynon Kreiz doesn't see consumers as any more price sensitive compared to a year ago, as the company has been working 'very closely with our retail partners when we consider pricing' headed into the second half of the year and the holiday season. The company expects the total tariff exposure for this year before any mitigating actions to be under $100 million. Mattel last quarter forecast a $270 million impact from tariffs. The company's dolls category was particularly impacted during the quarter, declining 19%, primarily due to fewer Barbie product launches. (Though the company earlier this month did release its first Barbie doll with Type 1 diabetes.) Mattel expects to see improving trends with the brand in the latter half of the year. Toy competitor Hasbro also reported second quarter earnings this week, with revenue dipping 1% year over year to around $981 million. Recommended Reading Dick's plans 9 House of Sport stores in 2023 as sales rise 5.3% Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data