Episode 104: Key Lessons from North Carolina’s Thriving Biotech Startup Ecosystem
How do you turn world-class science into sustainable biotech companies that grow both patients’ futures and local economies?
In this episode, host James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, speaks with Dave Ousterout, PhD, Co-Founder and General Partner of Cape Fear BioCapital. Drawing from his journey as a biotech entrepreneur and now investor, Dave shares how his team is working to transform North Carolina’s biotech ecosystem—filling funding gaps, building strong teams, and helping startups move from promising science to impactful medicines.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The key lessons Dave learned as a biotech founder and how they shape his investment strategy today.
- Why Cape Fear BioCapital focuses on “building, not just picking” companies in North Carolina.
- What investors want to see from early-stage biotech startups and how founders can prepare to meet those expectations.
Tune in to learn how Cape Fear BioCapital is fueling innovation and what biotech leaders everywhere can take away from their approach.
Links:
Connect with Dave Ousterout, PhD, and check out Cape Fear BioCapital.
Connect with James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP, and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine.
Connect with Ed Field, MBA, Jimmy Melton, MHA, and Paul Garofolo.
Learn more about Locus Biosciences, Inceptor Bio, Moore Strategic Ventures, G1 Therapeutics, Thoracic Innovations, TEN63 Therapeutics, and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Listen to our previous episode with Travis Manasco.
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.
