2020 Highlights

The biotech track explored the intersection of technology, innovation, and business strategy. Participating start-ups included those that harness cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products to improve our lives and the health of our planet. We also focused on early-stage digital health and medical-product companies and how they are fundamentally changing the way we live and care for ourselves.

Speakers include: Luigi Costa, Entrepreneur in Residence, Sofinnova; Fernando Pacheco, Investment Director, Endeavour Vison; Theresa Tribble, Operating Partner, The Engine; Ivan Ostojic, Partner, McKinsey & Company

The femtech track explored innovations supporting women’s health. Companies that presented addressed a wide range of issues, spanning everything from fertility, maternal health, menopause, menstrual health, oncology, pelvic health, sexual health, and more. The presentations were accompanied by a lively audience chat on the trials and tribulations of those in the women’s health-innovation field.

Speakers include: Faz Bashi, MD, Lead Venture Investor with Portfolia's FemTech Fund I & II; Bipin Dalmia, Vice President Business Development, Ferring Pharmaceuticals; Linda Greub, Avestria Co-Founder and Managing Partner; Simon Holland, VP Women’s Health Commercial Lead for Organon & Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.; Maria Velissaris, Founding Partner, SteelSky Ventures LLC; Eli Weinberg, Partner, McKinsey & Company; Alice Zheng, Consultant, McKinsey & Company

The fintech track covered the use of technology within financial services, from retail and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to corporate and investment banking. It highlighted entrepreneurs focused on everything from mobile banking and payment apps to digital loan providers, risk management and trading systems, and cryptocurrency.

Speakers include:  Keith Dellara; Director Blockchain Innovation, Silicon Valley Bank; Gottfried Leibbrandt, Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company; Jai Sajnani, Principal at New Enterprise Associates (NEA); Melissa Smith, Chair and CEO, WEX; Matt Higginson, Partner, McKinsey & Company

The healthtech track at ESIC covered a broad range of technologies designed to improve the delivery of payment methods, as well as the overall remote healthcare experience. It included discussions around software and hardware specifically created for healthcare companies, consumers of healthcare, and providers of healthcare-adjacent services. We also examined both the opportunities and the obstacles facing cutting-edge start-ups in this fast-paced market.

Speakers include:  Paul Bate, Vice President, Commercial, Babylon; Arun Gupta, Founder, Quartet Health; Sonia Millsom, Chief Commercial Officer, Maven Clinic; Megan Greenfield, Partner, McKinsey & Company

The sustainability track covered innovations in sustainability across multiple industries and functions, ranging from disruptions in fashion and textiles to agriculture and energy.

Speakers include:  Sasja Beslik, Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Finance Development, Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd; Pascal Mittermaier, Global Managing Director, The Nature Conservancy (Former); Anna Marie Wagner, SVP Corporate Development & Interim CFO, Ginkgo Bioworks; Nicole Szlezak, Partner, McKinsey & Company