Gm Brazeryens. Steady on the gas… VeeFriends NFTs Series 2 minting today!
[Welcome to Issue 03 of The House Brazeryen, where we break down the latest Brazen Bio, Brazen Capital, and bio-startup-related news for you fortnightly, in roughly 5 minutes.]
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Another WORLD’S FIRST for Brazen Bio
You are already familiar with the fact that Brazen House is the first biotech launch house in the world. Our latest “first” is even more game-changing. From an investor-only update in March:
WE ARE "AIRDROPPING" [gifting] YOU—THE FIRST 189 INVESTORS IN BRAZEN BIO—3% OF BRAZEN CAPITAL CARRY [profits] IN PERPETUITY, FOREVER.
Yes—it’s true—all the kind folks who invested as little as $100 in Brazen Bio through our equity crowdfund last summer get a [pro-rata] piece of our VC fund for life, FOR FREE. This was inspired by the concept of the “airdrop” in the NFT space which is a valuable utility for building and rewarding your community. Thanks community!
Brazen Breakdown
For NFTs, airdrops are dependent on something called a “smart contract”. Our airdrop is dependent on something completely different: a normal-ass contract.
While we will neither confirm nor deny we are working on a Brazen NFT project, turns out you don't really need Web3 to do nice things for people in your tribe.
Introducing: Our #BrazenCreators
As we’ve seen over the past two years during the pandemic, science communication (#SciComm) is CRUCIAL. That’s why Brazen Bio launched the #BrazenCreator program. The goal is simply to encourage more scientists to create quality science-related content on TikTok, IG, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc and inspire the kiddos.
Introducing our inaugural #BrazenCreator cohort (L to R, above):
Elizabeth (@ElizabethTheScientist) — PhD student at Duke University studying rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare pediatric cancer.
Ricky (@RickyRick.PhD) — Surfer turned scientist. CSO of TikTok. Postdoc working on cancer immunotherapy.
Tamara (@Chemis.te) — Lab Manager @ The Scripps Research Institute; Science Communicator sharing chemistry facts, lab experiences, & student tips!
Sean (@Evolu.Sean) — He teaches people how we're saving lives and changing the world with evolution.
Marta (@MartaOverchuk) — Biomedical engineer & science communicator. Demystifying science and sharing tips on surviving academia.
Ben (@Dr.Brein) — Neuroscientist (postdoc) at Stanford University; science communicator on TikTok & Instagram getting people excited about science, without all the mumbo jumbo.
Shawn (@brainsurgerydropout) — Scientist; creative; and evangelist for science communication, STEM careers, and scientist-CEOs (not shown above)
Brazen Breakdown
Our Creators enjoy free swag, monthly office hours, Brazen Bio stock options, exclusive invites, and more. Pretty sweet, eh? Plus, you all get direct access to them through our Discord server!
If you are a STEM creator (or know someone who is) and want to be considered for the program please reach out HERE!
VC CORNER: Biotech’s “Big Chill” … May Already Be Thawing?
Contributed by Scott Alpizar, PhD — Biotech VC funding has been red hot for a few years now. But a recent blog post by early stage biotech VC and recovering scientist—Bruce Booth, DPhil—about “Biotech’s January Chill” recently spooked the masses on Twitter. Pitchbook data for new biotech startups launched in January 2022 indicated that things are beginning to cool off – dramatically.
The sky certainly isn’t falling. But I do think it’s a cautionary flag around the pace of startup formation.
What’s the deal? It’s hard to say, but Bruce looks for constraints within the 3 main startup ingredients:
1. CAPITAL: This been anything but a constraint in recent years and isn’t likely to become one now. Valuation and pricing may adjust as the overall financing market continues to tighten, but availability of capital shouldn’t hold things back.
2. IDEAS: There is no shortage of new ideas or unmet needs, so even less-than-transformational ideas making only incremental improvements can still benefit patients and shareholders. Not likely a constraint either.
3. TALENT: This IS a problem. Most scientists can’t (or won’t) risk their careers for a startup—and those that do don’t always have the needed experience. The continued stall of M&As means a smaller pool of c-suite talent to recycle to fill that gap.
Brazen Breakdown
Is this real? While January was weak, February and March seem to have picked up some of the slack (shoutout to Michael Retchin for the follow-up analysis). Things may be averaging themselves out.
Don’t forget, we’ve also been seeing larger funding round sizes—so it may the case of less deals, but more money in each. Finally, it could also be an artifact of new biotech startups finding funding outside of the large institutional VCs, who are becoming increasingly risk averse.
Regardless, capital is out there, and the needs of patients aren’t going away anytime soon. Don’t let trends scare you. Find the right investor, take the plunge, and make an impact.
Announcing: Brazen Bio’s official wine!
We can’t keep getting away with it! First, Brazen House sports the world’s most advanced beer fridge (thanks again Frank Feder and B Medical Systems)… and now, we are honored to announce the official red wine of Brazen Bio: Vermillion.
In 2014, Shawn met Vermillion’s DJ Warner at an SF wine shop where DJ was hosting a tasting of a high-end, red wine blend. Turns out DJ’s wife—the great Helen Keplinger (2012 Food & Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year)—was the winemaker. DJ and Shawn kept in touch through Instagram, over the years Shawn consumed cases of Helen’s various offerings—including and especially Vermillion, and finally—8 years later—a partnership was born.
Brazen Breakdown
Vermillion is an easygoing and delicious Rhone blend (based on the fruity Grenache grape) and will be served at Brazen Bio dinners and events—including the Brazen Summit. If you want in on this action, the 2018 vintage is currently available.
For the aficionado, you’ll want to get on the Keplinger Wines mailing list for a shot at an allocation.
😋 Brazen Snax
🧬 Welcome… to Jurassic Prairie (WARNING: cute ferret video)
🎨 Salvador Dalí, but make it artificial intelligence = DALL•E
💊 Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus sniping more generic drug prices this week
🎉 Community rounds were already a thing, but now it’s a thaaang
😮💨 You’re about to miss the first close of Brazen Capital (shameless plug)
🥩 Proof of Steak: Startup developing *exotic* biotech meats (e.g., tiger!?!)
⏰ TikTokCrak: A mindful moment with Mandy Patinkin (Homeland SHO)
🔪 Carveout
As first time fund managers ourselves [at Brazen Capital], we wanted to shout out “The First Close” podcast. We’ve binged every episode [i.e., Shawn]. The founding host—Jessica Straus—is moving on to an entrepreneurial role and we wish her the best!
🙏🏽 A Dose of Gratitude
We are grateful for Dave Whelan, CEO of Bioscience LA, for his continued support of all things Brazen since even before we launched last spring. #LongLA
[PS: taking nominations! If there is someone you would like us to shout out let us know! If you are the first to nominate someone we feature, you’ll get Brazen Bio swag!]
✍️ Feedback
Please tweet all thoughts, questions, and insults to us @brazenbio. Bring it. No, really. COME👏🏽AT👏🏽US👏🏽BRO👏🏽