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2026 Biotech Showcase Pitch Competition

Applications opened on Sept. 8, 2025, and are due on Nov. 1, 2025.

Calling all biotech startups! The 2026 Iowa Biotech Showcase Pitch Competition offers the chance to present your innovation on stage at Iowa’s premier biotech event. Six startups will be selected to pitch their products or services on March 4, 2026, competing for a $10,000 grand prize, a free one-year IowaBio membership, and valuable exposure to investors, industry leaders, and potential partners.

NEW IN 2026: Each selected company will be paired with an experienced mentor for two virtual coaching sessions to refine their pitch and maximize their impact during the competition. Keep scrolling to learn more about this year's incredible lineup of mentors!

Returning in 2026, the Ag Startup Engine will offer the potential for a $25,000 dollar investment, pending final due diligence, into one company that pitches during the Biotech Showcase Pitch Competition on March 4, 2026.

Overall, this competition is a unique opportunity to elevate your startup, gain expert guidance, and connect with the biotech community.

If you have any questions, please contact Andy Bates at abates@fin-strategies.com.

Submit Application

Meet the Mentors

Shawn Baier – Chief Operating Officer, MTI Biotech

Shawn holds his MS degree from Iowa State University and a MBA from the University of Iowa. In 1997, he was hired by MTI Biotech as a Research Scientist. In 2007, Mr. Baier moved to the role of Director of Sales and Marketing, and in 2008, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In 2019, as part of a change in ownership interests with TSI Group, Mr. Baier became VP of Business Development for their Innovative Products Division. His responsibilities include new business development, research and development management, as well as identifying and acquiring new technologies for commercialization.

Peter Hong – Director, ISU Startup Factory

Peter brings extensive leadership and entrepreneurial experience to his role as Director of the Iowa State University Startup Factory. With a career spanning manufacturing, product engineering, and executive leadership, he has transformed startups into thriving, customer-focused companies and driven significant business growth. Peter has also held numerous local, state, and national leadership positions, and continues to strengthen Iowa’s innovation ecosystem through mentorship, commercialization strategy, and support for emerging biotech entrepreneurs.

Dr. Balaji Narasimhan, Ph.D. – President and Cofounder, ImmunoNano Med

Dr. Narasimhan is the President and Co-founder of INM. He is an expert in powder-based delivery, vaccine development, and biomanufacturing. He has designed a family of biodegradable polyanhydride copolymers that serve as vaccine-delivery platforms. Together with collaborators, he has developed next-generation PowderVax technology against respiratory pathogens. He is an expert in biomaterials and drug and vaccine delivery. He has developed and obtained patent protection for the PowderVax platform as well as a novel process for scalable manufacture of PowderVax. He has extensive experience on federal, state, and industry-supported team projects and has co-invented 14 patents.

Joe Sweeney – Venture Strategy Advisory and Director of Operations, Jennings Kallen Advisors

Joe is a seasoned growth strategist with 15 years of award-winning leadership as a CEO, CFO, and entrepreneur. He specializes in driving growth for innovative companies by helping them acquire critical resources and develop refined business strategies. With an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a BS in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University, Joe brings a strong foundation to his strategic work. Joe partners with clients to craft tailored growth plans, streamline operations, and secure the resources needed to scale effectively. From business strategy and forecasting to process optimization, he rolls up his sleeves to deliver results, always focused on building a brighter future for the companies he serves.

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