Powering
Discovery to Delivery
The premier gathering for life science tools and diagnostics, where the builders behind every breakthrough engage with investors, strategics, and partners who take them to market. One day. One room. A $250K Finals Competition.
Space is limited · General admission $500 · Cohort & partner allocations available
The day, start to finish
One focused day, built around the people in the room — from the first coffee to the closing toast.
Breakfast & Registration
Badges, breakfast, and the first conversations of the day.
Capstone Kickoff Intros
Welcome to the Capstone, a quick look at the day ahead.
AM
Startup Stage Remarks Intros
An introduction to the Startup Stage, with remarks from our Startup Stage sponsor.
LC
Startup Stage Live pitches
The 2026 Cohort takes the stage in six themed sessions, each company with three minutes to pitch and a minute of live Q&A from the room. It’s the fastest way to see where life science tools are headed, from drug discovery to sample prep, with networking between sessions so you can follow up while it’s fresh.
Drug Discovery & Development
8:45 AM · 4 companies
Bioprocessing & Biomanufacturing Tools
9:15 AM · 6 companies
Nucleic Acid Synthesis & Purification
10:00 AM · 3 companies
Diagnostics & Biomarker Discovery
10:25 AM · 4 companies
Analytical Technologies
10:55 AM · 5 companies
Sample Preparation & Preservation
11:35 AM · 3 companies
Networking Lunch Networking
A break to refuel and find the people you came to meet. The easiest networking window of the day.
Capstone Opening Remarks Forum
The afternoon turns to the bigger picture: three panels on government-backed innovation, strategic partnerships, and where the life science tools market goes next.
AM
Inside Vanguard: The Funding, The Companies, The Impact Panel
In its first year, Vanguard paired companies with a tailored wraparound program and up to $200,000 in non-dilutive BARDA funding. The founders who went through it join the program’s director to talk about what that funding unlocked, how they’re building national-priority biotools, and what working with BARDA/ASPR looks like from the inside.
CC
HT
AP
PP
RB
AN
Working with Strategic Partners: From First Conversation to Collaboration Panel
A practical conversation on how strategic companies approach external innovation and evaluate opportunities to work with startups. Hear directly from strategics on what they look for, how collaboration decisions are made, and what startups should know about building relationships, communicating effectively, and turning an initial conversation into a successful partnership.
JW
JZ
BX
MI
JH
The State of Life Science Tools: Trends, Challenges & What’s Next Panel
The life science tools industry is undergoing significant change, shaped by evolving technology, shifting investment and M&A dynamics, changing customer needs, and broader market forces. This discussion brings together perspectives from investors, strategic buyers, and dealmakers to explore where the industry stands today, what is shaping its next phase of growth, and where the biggest opportunities and challenges lie.
KW
AB
JK
SR
Networking Break
A short pause to stretch, refuel, and keep the conversations going before the final stretch of the day.
Best Video & Finals Competition Finals
Two competitions close out the day. First, three short-form videos from the 2026 Cohort go head to head for Best Video. Then the Final Four take the main stage for a live pitch showdown judged by strategics, investors, and industry experts, with $250,000 on the line and the winner decided in the room.
Best Video Competition
3 finalistsFinals Competition
The Final Four
Caravel
eGlint
Pando Bioscience
QuantumCyte
Finals Judges
AD
MS
RN
Capstone Reception Networking
Drinks, conversation, and the day’s winners in the room. From 5:30 to 7:00 PM, the Capstone Reception is where the day’s introductions turn into follow-up meetings, with investors, strategics, founders, and partners all in one place.
Full session times and speakers to be announced · Schedule subject to refinement
A prize for the year’s standout life science tools and diagnostics company — decided live, in front of the people who can take it from breakthrough to market.
Who you’ll be standing next to
Capstone draws the full value chain of life science tools and diagnostics into one place — the rare day when the people who build the enabling technology and the people who fund and scale it are at the same tables.
Founders & cohort
The companies building the next generation of tools, platforms, and diagnostics.
Investors
Venture, growth, and strategic capital actively backing the picks-and-shovels layer.
Strategics & pharma
The biotech and pharma partners whose pipelines run on these enabling technologies.
Government partners
Public agencies and programs shaping where discovery gets funded and delivered.
One pass. The whole day.
- All keynotes, panels & firesides
- Live access to the $250K Finals Competition
- Partnering lounge & curated introductions
- Lunch and the closing reception
- Attendee directory & on-site networking
Requests reviewed on a rolling basis · Space is limited
Why request, not just buy?
Capstone is a working room. We review requests to keep the balance of founders, investors, and partners right — so every introduction in the lounge is worth making. Submit a request and we’ll confirm your spot and send payment details.
Put your name on the day discovery becomes delivery
Sponsoring Capstone puts your brand in front of the founders, investors, and strategics defining the future of life science tools — and at the center of the moment a breakthrough gets its $250K. Tiers range from stage presence to the Finals Competition itself.
- Stage and brand presence across the full day
- Affiliation with BTI — supporting the next generation of life science innovators
- Priority access to founders and the new cohort
- Deal flow — generate qualified leads and partnership opportunities
Getting to San Diego
Capstone is hosted at UCSD Park & Market in downtown San Diego — walkable, transit-connected, and minutes from the airport.
UCSD Park & Market
Downtown San Diego’s hub for innovation
1100 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101
SAN — 10 minutes
San Diego International is a short ride from the venue and downtown hotels.
Be in the room where discovery becomes delivery
October 14, 2026. One day to meet the builders, the backers, and the breakthrough that walks away with $250K.