Early-Bird Registration Opens for 2026 Entrepreneur and Investor Life Sciences Summit in Utah

The 2026 Wilson Sonsini Entrepreneur and Investor Life Sciences Summit will be held March 12-13 in Salt Lake City, with early bird discounts available through February 15. This event represents a significant gathering for Utah's life sciences community, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and academic leaders to address critical challenges and opportunities in healthcare innovation. The summit's timing and location underscore Utah's emerging importance as a hub for medical technology and biotechnology development.

BioUtah and BYU's College of Life Sciences and Technology Transfer Office will co-present the conference, creating a unique partnership between industry and academia. This collaboration facilitates knowledge transfer between researchers developing new technologies and investors seeking promising opportunities. The involvement of these organizations signals institutional support for translating scientific discoveries into commercial applications that can benefit patients and drive economic growth.

Monica DiCenso, managing director and head of global investment opportunities group at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, will discuss the life sciences investment landscape and outlook. Her presentation will provide valuable insights into current market trends, funding availability, and strategic considerations for companies at various stages of development. This financial perspective is particularly important as the industry navigates evolving regulatory environments and competitive pressures while seeking to advance innovative treatments and technologies.

A Shark Tank-style life sciences pitch competition will award winners with a cash prize, offering emerging companies and researchers a platform to showcase their innovations to potential investors. This competitive element encourages entrepreneurial thinking and helps identify promising technologies that might otherwise struggle to gain visibility. The pitch format accelerates the connection between innovators and capital sources, potentially speeding the development of new medical solutions.

The summit will be held March 12 at the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City, followed by a ski day at Snowbird Ski Resort on March 13. This combination of formal programming and informal networking opportunities creates multiple avenues for relationship building and idea exchange. The recreational component at Snowbird Resort facilitates more personal connections that can lead to future collaborations and partnerships within the life sciences ecosystem.

The event's importance extends beyond immediate networking opportunities to potentially influence Utah's economic development strategy and innovation pipeline. As life sciences continue to represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in many regional economies, gatherings like this help position Utah as a competitive location for both established companies and startups. The summit's focus on connecting entrepreneurs with investors addresses a critical need in the commercialization process, potentially accelerating the journey from laboratory research to patient benefit.