Montana BioScience Alliance

05/12/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last week in Bozeman for the Innovator’s Bootcamp!

We were excited to bring together entrepreneurs, founders, researchers, investors, and ecosystem partners from across Montana for a full day of conversations around startup formation, fundraising, intellectual property, licensing, and scaling innovation-driven companies.

A special thank you to the outstanding team from Sheppard Mullin, including Allison Glasunow, Ph.D., J.D., Mike Orlando and Paul Klimos, for sharing practical legal and strategic insights drawn from decades of experience working with emerging growth companies and technology ventures.

We also appreciated the thoughtful lunch presentation from Claire Elizabeth Smith of SpringTide Ventures on approaching the fundraising journey and navigating growth as a founder.

Thank you as well to our co-sponsors and partners:
Montana Technology Innovation Partnership powered by MSU TechLink Center
Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance

Events like this help strengthen Montana’s innovation ecosystem by connecting founders with the expertise, relationships, and resources needed to grow and commercialize great ideas.

04/27/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Allison Glasunow, Partner at the nationally recognized law firm Sheppard Mullin, is a featured speaker at our upcoming Innovator’s Bootcamp!

Allison isn't just a legal expert; she is a high-level strategist for the life sciences sector. With a deep technical background in areas like immunotherapy, gene-editing platforms (including CAR-T cells), and diagnostics, she understands the "how" behind the science.

At the bootcamp, she will share her expertise on:
‣ Translating complex science into commercially focused patent strategies.
‣ Navigating the global IP lifecycle from early-stage R&D through commercialization.
‣ Building portfolios that stand up to the rigorous scrutiny of investors, acquirers, and competitors.

Whether you are spinning out a new technology or scaling an existing biotech venture, Allison’s insights are essential for protecting your innovation and securing your future growth.

Event Details
When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM MDT
Where: EngineWorks MSU Innovation Campus, Bozeman, MT
Cost: FREE (Catered lunch included!)
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovators-bootcamp-legal-funding-founder-essentials-for-startups-tickets-1982922325053?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Co-hosted by: Montana Bioscience Alliance, Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance (MPQA), and Montana Technology Innovation Partnership powered by MSU TechLink Center(MTIP).

Space is limited! Join us to learn how to turn your breakthrough into a protected, investable business.

04/24/2026

What an incredible milestone for STEM education in Montana! Last week, Laurel Struck, a dedicated science teacher at Shepherd Middle School, was awarded a $2,750 Sharon Peterson Memorial STEM Scholarship by the Montana Bioscience Alliance.

After a 20-year career in graphic design and sports medicine, Laurel transitioned to the classroom to help students see the connections between art, science, and the real world. Today, she’s "living the dream," teaching everything from physical science to a popular new STEAM elective for 7th and 8th graders.

From building bridges and catapults to forensic "murder mysteries" and programming Sphero robots, Laurel’s classroom is a hub of hands-on innovation. She plans to use these funds to purchase more supplies, like additional robots and water pressure rocket launchers, to ensure every student gets a chance to lead, not just watch from the sidelines.

Longtime MTBSA board member, Kurt Toenjes, joined Executive Director, Cassandra Sunell, to present Laurel with her check at Shepherd Middle School and had an opportunity to talk to the students about career and college pathways in science and the upcoming (April 25th) The Atomic Circus at MSU Billings at the Petro Theatre in Billings.

We want to thank the Shodair Children's Hospital Department of Medical Genetics, the Paul M. & Cynthia Foster Family Foundation, and Cynthia Ekberg Tsai for their contributions to the scholarship and commitment to inspiring the next generation of Montana's visionaries! 🚀🔬🎨

04/20/2026

We’re thrilled to announce Claire Smith, Partner at SpringTide Ventures, as a featured speaker at the Innovator's Bootcamp: Legal, Funding & Founder Essentials for Startups.

Claire brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of healthcare, life sciences, and business. Her career spans investing in seed-stage health tech at Meridian Street Capital, launching animal health startups at Anterra Capital, and serving as Chief of Staff at Crestovo, a microbiome therapeutics startup acquired by Finch Therapeutics. She began her journey advising pharma and biotech clients at ClearView Healthcare Partners.

Claire holds dual bachelor’s degrees in biological engineering and management science from MIT, and currently serves on the board of Leash Labs, as well as a board observer at IgniteData and Paterna Biosciences.

At the Bootcamp, Claire will share practical insights on approaching your fundraising journey—covering how to prepare for capital, navigate investor expectations, and build momentum for growth.

Don’t miss the chance to learn from Claire and connect with Montana’s innovation community!

📅 Tuesday, May 5 | EngineWorks, Bozeman, MT

Register now to secure your spot!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovators-bootcamp-legal-funding-founder-essentials-for-startups-tickets-1982922325053?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

04/09/2026

🎉 Great News! This Event Is Now FREE to Attend 🎉

We’re excited to share that thanks to additional support, our upcoming event is now completely free!

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the perfect time—no cost, just great content, connections, and conversations.

Already registered? You’ll be receiving a full refund automatically—thank you for your early support!

👉 Secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovators-bootcamp-legal-funding-founder-essentials-for-startups-tickets-1982922325053?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

We look forward to seeing you there!

03/17/2026

What’s next for Montana’s innovation economy? Find out in Billings on March 26th at the first-ever Montana Innovation Exchange: Yellowstone County.

We are proud to co-host this brand-new quarterly event series alongside the Montana High Tech Business Alliance, Montana Photonics & Quantum Alliance, and the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana, powered by Big Sky Economic Development and Rock31.

Join us for a short panel discussion and dedicated networking session to connect with the people driving growth across our state's emerging industries—from bioscience to quantum tech.

📅 When: March 26th | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
📍 Where: Zoot Training & Event Space (201 N. Broadway, Billings, MT)
🔗 Reserve your spot: https://nyx02.share.hsforms.com/2u_NTIeK5TDu1jsn_lvYdgg

Join us for conversation, connection, and collaboration.

03/02/2026

Montana’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is officially moving forward, and there are major opportunities ahead for providers, vendors, and community partners across our state.

On February 19, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved Montana’s final RHTP budget, unlocking more than $233 million in federal funding to strengthen rural healthcare delivery statewide.

If your organization is interested in participating in upcoming RHTP procurements, don’t miss the upcoming Vendor Webinar:
📅 March 11
🕙 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (MT)
💻 Hosted by DPHHS and the Department of Administration

State officials will outline the five core RHTP initiatives, review anticipated Requests for Proposals, and answer questions live.

Additional resources, including a vendor checklist, FAQ, and registration guidance, are now available to help organizations navigate the process.
This is a significant investment in Montana’s rural health infrastructure and presents meaningful collaboration opportunities across bioscience, healthcare delivery, workforce development, digital health, and community innovation.

🔗 Learn more and access funding updates at: ruralhealth.mt.gov
📩 Questions: [email protected]

Over 600 Montanans participated in the first Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting in January, a strong signal that communities are ready to engage.
We encourage Montana-based innovators, healthcare leaders, and service providers to explore how your organization can participate.

02/20/2026

Celebrate National Science Day at the Weissman Hood Institute in Great Falls!

Celebrate National Science Day with us!

02/17/2026

We’re resharing a recent episode from the Frontier Institute featuring Antonio, who breaks down why prescription drug pricing feels so broken, and how layers of intermediaries, rebates, and well-intended government programs have replaced anything resembling a normal market transaction.

The conversation explores:

• How PBMs and insurance structures shape pricing
• Why programs like 340B can create unintended incentives
• How competition can turn into an “arms race” instead of lowering costs
• Why transparency and simplicity may be the real path forward

The episode also highlights a Montana example, Bear Grass Drug, as a model for clear, upfront pharmacy pricing.

If you’re following healthcare policy, drug pricing reform, or market-based solutions, this is a thoughtful discussion worth listening to.

🎧 Give it a listen below.

This month’s Frontier Briefing features a conversation with Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46brooklyn Research and President of 3Axis Advisors, on the hidden econom...

02/05/2026

Members of the Montana BioScience Alliance are encouraged to explore the Montana Rural Health Initiative—a significant statewide investment focused on rural care delivery, workforce development, telehealth, and applied clinical innovation.

This program offers Alliance companies and research partners a rare chance to access non-dilutive funding, pilot technologies in real clinical settings, and build direct partnerships with Montana healthcare systems and community stakeholders. Just as importantly, it creates a pathway to demonstrate impact while advancing commercialization inside Montana.

Backed by the administration of Greg Gianforte, the initiative aligns capital, customers, and policy, making it one of the most practical opportunities this year to move Montana-born science and medtech into real-world rural healthcare.

Alliance members are encouraged to review eligibility and consider collaborative proposals that showcase Montana innovation while strengthening care access across the state.

DPHHS is offering one-time incentive payments to recruit employees at Montana’s state-run health care facilities. For more information go to Work4DPHHS.com