Episode 94: Crafting a Biotech Startup Pitch That Attracts Venture Capital – Insights from an Investor
Are you ready to pitch your biotech startup to investors but unsure what they’re actually looking for?
In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, sits down with Travis Manasco, MD — Principal at Solas BioVentures, practicing ICU physician, and Tulane alumnus — for a clear-eyed look at what it takes to secure life science venture capital. From communicating clearly to avoiding common missteps, Travis offers practical advice that every founder should hear before stepping into a pitch meeting.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The “goat, moat, float, and dote” framework Solas uses to evaluate investments.
- What makes an investor-ready pitch — and why focus matters more than ambition.
- How founders can build lasting relationships with VCs and avoid first-call deal-killers.
Whether you’re refining your deck or just starting your fundraising journey, this episode is packed with actionable insights to move your biotech forward.
Links:
Connect with Travis Manasco, MD, and check out Solas BioVentures.
Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine.
Connect with Penelope Manasco, MD, Elizabeth Chabe, MBA, Tari Suprapto, PhD, and David Adair, MBA.
Learn more about Francis Medical, I-O Urology, Vektor Medical, and OpenEvidence.
Connect with Ian McLachlan, BIO from the BAYOU producer.
Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025.
Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU – the podcast.
Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.
