Raising Capital for Medical Innovation presented by Dr. David Ferrick
Speaker Update: Dr. Christian Renaudin is unfortunately no longer able to join us for this event. We are pleased to welcome Dr. David Ferrick, an experienced biotechnology executive, scientist, entrepreneur, and life science commercialization leader, as our featured speaker.
Raising capital for a medical or life science startup is different from fundraising for almost any other kind of company.
Investors are evaluating more than the idea. They are looking at the science, intellectual property, regulatory pathway, market opportunity, team, and the milestones needed to reduce risk.
Join MedStart, in partnership with Sacramento State and the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, for a practical conversation about what it takes to fund and build a successful medical or life science company.
Dr. Ferrick has spent decades building and commercializing life science companies and technologies. He co-founded Sagres Discovery, raised $25 million in venture funding, and led the company through its acquisition by Chiron. He has also held senior leadership roles with Agilent Technologies, Seahorse Bioscience, Axion Biosystems, Guava Technologies, and other life science companies.
The discussion will explore topics including:
What investors look for in medical and life science startups
How founders can make their companies more investable
The milestones that matter when raising capital
How scientific, technical, and commercial risk affect fundraising
Lessons learned from building, funding, and exiting life science companies
Common mistakes founders make when approaching investors
This event is designed for biotech, medical device, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital health, and other life science founders, as well as researchers interested in commercializing their technology.
Whether you're actively raising capital or thinking about your next round, you'll hear practical insights from someone who has experienced the fundraising process from the founder, executive, and commercialization side of the table.
Food and Beverage will be provided.
Date: October 22, 2026
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 6000 J Street, Library 1520, Sacramento, CA 95819
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
PARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Please allow plenty of time to park as the semester is in session at Sac State.
Best to use Google, not Apple to locate the University Library.
Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
6000 J Street, Library 1520, Sacramento, CA 95819
Go through main doors of the University Library, turn hard right and keep walking, up a short flight of stairs to our doors
VISITOR INSTRUCTIONS
The event parking code is EV16907. You must use your coupon code at any parking permit machine located in any student parking lot/structure; view the campus map for locations.
At the permit machine:
1. Press any button to begin.
2. Enter your license plate (maybe take a picture of it).
3. Press "2" for a Daily permit.
4. Press "1" to enter your coupon code.
5. Finish your transaction.
Your parking permit is valid in student parking spaces. Please view our campus map for directions.
Permit machines are located in all student parking lots/structures: Student Lots 1C, 7, 8, 9, 14
5th floor of Parking Structure 1
3rd floor of Parking Structure 2
1st and 3rd floors of Parking Structure 3
3rd and 4th floors of Parking Structure 5
The UTAPS office at the Welcome Center building
About Dr. David Ferrick
Dr. David Ferrick is a biotechnology executive, scientist, and serial entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in life sciences, commercialization, and drug discovery. He co-founded Sagres Discovery, where he raised $25 million and led the company through its acquisition by Chiron. He has also held senior leadership roles at Agilent Technologies, Seahorse Bioscience, Axion Biosystems, and Guava Technologies, and began his career as a professor at UC Davis.
