VisionTech Partners, Pearl Pathways Form Alliance to Fuel Growth in Indiana’s Life Sciences Startup Community

Aug 30

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (August 30, 2017) – – VisionTech Partners, the parent of Indiana’s most active angel investing group, and Pearl Pathways, a provider of life sciences product development services, have joined forces to fuel Indiana’s life sciences startup community, which includes biopharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics technology.

The VisionTech Partners-Pearl Pathways alliance will focus on three essential goals. First, identify the most promising early stage/early growth companies for potential investment by VisionTech’s statewide network of angel investors. Second, connect entrepreneurs with individuals who have already achieved success in the life sciences and are willing to serve as mentors and business advisors. And finally, provide entrepreneurs with access to the highly specialized services required to negotiate the FDA approval process.

VisionTech Partners Executive Director Ben Pidgeon said both companies are eager to leverage their respective strengths through the alliance, which will formally launch Thursday, August 31, at VisionTech Angels’ “Pitch Night” in Indianapolis, featuring two life sciences startups.

“VisionTech Partners is extremely committed to growing Indiana’s life sciences industry and we’ve proven ourselves to be a valuable contributor to this effort as a source of financial and human capital. Of the 24 portfolio companies our angel network has invested in, 10 are in the life sciences and healthcare space; it’s definitely a sweet spot,” said Pidgeon.

“The alliance with Pearl Pathways will not only ensure a high quality deal flow, it will also help us make better investment decisions. Most of these companies must secure FDA approval in order to commercialize their drug, device or diagnostic tool. Pearl Pathways will, in effect, be VisionTech Partners’ resident expert on all things FDA,” he added.

Based in Indianapolis, Pearl Pathways is a life science product development services company that provides clinical research, regulatory, quality compliance, and independent review board services to life sciences companies. Among Pearl Pathways’ clientele are five of the top 20 medical device companies and six of the top 11 pharmaceutical companies in the world.

The balance of their business, said President and CEO Diana Caldwell, is startup companies with pre-commercialization technology that need access to early stage or “seed” funding provided by groups like VisionTech Partners.

“VisionTech Partners is unique in the angel investing space. Yes, they are a source of capital, but more importantly, they have deep experience and success in the life sciences industry. They also have a chapter composed entirely of physicians. These are the people who are around medical technology on a daily basis and have knowledge and insight few investors have. Partnering with VisionTech will not only open doors for our clients, startup companies across Indiana will benefit from the combined talents and resources of our two companies,” Caldwell said.

About VisionTech Partners I VisionTech Angels
Founded in 2008, VisionTech Partners is a privately held company focused on linking investors to high-potential early-stage companies. Headquartered in Indianapolis, among the nation’s most vibrant innovation regions, VisionTech is where inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, universities, and strategic partners convene to share, fund, and launch novel technologies. VisionTech Angels has chapters in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lafayette, and an Affinity chapter, AngelBom.

About Pearl Pathways.
Founded in 2010, Pearl Pathways is a comprehensive life science product development consulting services company with expertise in regulatory, quality compliance, and clinical trial services including an AAHRPP accredited commercial IRB, Pearl IRB. Pearl Pathways works with clients’ clinical teams, in-house regulatory experts, the quality compliance specialists, quality auditors, and the senior leadership team to get life saving diagnostics and therapeutics on the market sooner.