This summer, the life sciences investment landscape got a boost as MassBio, SCbio, Venture Carolina, VentureSouth, and the South Carolina Department of Commerce came together to launch the Palmetto Beacon Venture Fellowship (PBVF). The program kicked off with two dynamic, back-to-back sessions in Charleston and John’s Island, South Carolina, where participants dove deep into the world of biotech investing. The momentum will carry north this October as the fellowship wraps up with its final session in Boston, connecting the Southeast and Northeast in a powerful exchange of ideas and capital.
“This is a key catalyst in our MassBio Vision 2030 strategic plan—an expanded, enriched, and diversified funding environment for our early-stage biotechs,” says Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, chief executive officer and president of MassBio. “Raising capital is different today than it was two years ago, and MassBio has a role to play in bringing new funders in and making it easier for founders to find alternative pathways to dollars.”
The Palmetto Beacon Venture Fellowship is more than another program. Think of it as a movement to educate and empower the next generation of biotech investors. Through an immersive, expert-led curriculum, fellows are gaining the tools and confidence to back the early-stage companies where tomorrow’s cures will be born, strengthening investor ecosystems and fueling the flow of capital that will ultimately bring breakthrough science to patients.
“We believe there is an important, foundational proficiency that every investor needs in order to be effective at investing in early-stage life sciences companies,” says Charlie Banks, Executive Director of VentureSouth. “The Palmetto Beacon Venture Fellowship’s bespoke curriculum is designed to educate attendees on the complexities of investing in this space, creating an informed investor base eager to support an exciting asset class.”
The inaugural cohort of fellows spent several days learning from leading experts, networking with peers, and deepening their understanding of what it takes to invest successfully in early-stage biotech.
- Warren Browne, founder and CEO of Browne Consulting, shared: “We learned a lot about early-stage investing (and about each other!) during our initial couple of days and look forward to continuing to find ways to support early-stage biotechs.”
Other participants echoed the excitement:
- Peter Pedro, president of the Life Sciences Practice, Northeast Region at Marsh McLennan Agency: “What an amazing time connecting, networking, and learning with a great cohort of talented leaders from SC and MA! Thanks to MassBio, SCbio, and VentureSouth for an impactful few days.”
- Greg Marshall, former senior executive at Charles River Labs, “I am honored to be part of the Palmetto Beacon Venture Fellowship cohort. I look forward to exploring innovative ways to support the thriving life sciences ecosystem in South Carolina.”
Together, we are building a bridge from Massachusetts to South Carolina to strengthen the flow of capital to innovation, fuel biotech entrepreneurship, and grow the next generation of life sciences leaders. Stay tuned as we bring this first cohort of Palmetto Beacon fellows north to Boston for the Align Summit on October 7!
You can meet the 2025 class of fellows here, apply for the 2026 cohort online, and learn more about the curriculum and modules through Venture South.
