From Concept to Capital: How Early-Stage Biotech Gets Funded with Dan Goddard

Описание: EPISODE DESCRIPTION



In this episode of scientifica sessions, host Tabari Baker (Founder & CEO, https://www.kronosscientifica.com/) sits down with *Dan Goddard*, Business Development Lead at https://www.cfgo.net/, to explore one of the most critical—and misunderstood—journeys in life sciences: moving a company from *concept to capital*.



Early-stage biotech lives at the intersection of breakthrough science, disciplined execution, and financial reality. When those elements align, companies build durable foundations that survive pivots, funding cycles, and market downturns. When they don’t, even exceptional science can stall. This conversation breaks down why that gap exists—and how founders can close it.



Dan brings decades of experience across early-stage biotech, venture-backed scaling companies, finance, planning, and investor readiness. Together, Dan and Tabari unpack what investors are actually looking for, why planning matters even when it’s guaranteed to change, and how discipline—not hype—drives long-term success.



In this episode, you’ll hear insights on:

Why great science is necessary—but not sufficient—for fundraising.
How to plan effectively when you know the plan will be wrong.
Common budgeting mistakes founders make (and why being “under budget” can be a red flag).
The importance of milestones, burn rate, and timing in a constrained funding environment.
Why fractional expertise (finance, legal, regulatory) is essential for early-stage companies.
Platform vs. asset strategies—and how AI is reshaping both.
Lessons from prior biotech downturns and why contractions often produce the strongest companies.
How founders should rethink fundraising as a *partnership*, not a transaction.


The conversation also dives into the human side of company building: decision fatigue, leadership vulnerability, early hiring challenges, and knowing when to ask for help. Dan shares hard-won lessons from working with dozens of companies—and why honest dialogue with investors often unlocks more value than a perfect pitch deck.



The episode closes with a powerful takeaway for founders navigating investor conversations:


*If you want advice, ask for money. If you want money, ask for advice.



If you’re building, advising, or investing in early-stage biotech—and trying to understand what it really takes to turn innovation into impact—this episode is your playbook.

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Connect with Dan Goddard
🔗 LinkedIn:   / dangoddard77  

📩 Connect with the show: mailto:[email protected]