Bio industry leaders offer advice to entrepreneurs

December 26, 2025

By Support Hammersmith

The February discussion at Venture Café’s Bio Night for entrepreneurs offered some key takeaways from Jerry Gibson, Matt Likens, and Shane Brown:

• Gain industry experience but recognize when to pivot before becoming complacent;
• Lead with a “we” mindset rather than an “I” mindset;
• Build a strong company culture early by aligning with core values; and
• Keep teams engaged from the start—before incorporation or forming a board—through incentives like stock options and encouraging a shared sense of ownership.

For those looking to stay connected and continue learning, keep a look out for future Venture Café sessions each Thursday. Photo credit: Tom Kelly