“Investments here will generate a superior return to investments made elsewhere. And we are trying to lean into that a bit, ya know, do more work to connect those investors to the companies and tell the story so that more investment finds its way in. For 2019 we tracked 1.2 billion dollars of capital that came in. The first time the State of Minnesota crossed the billion dollars in venture capital in any fashion since 2001 just before the .com bubble blew up”-Frank Jaskulke, Vice President of Intelligence, Medical Alley, Minneapolis, MN

How do you support a rapidly growing industry both in care delivery and in technology?

Frank discusses that Medical Alley was started to make sure we had a forum to raise issues that were important to us, to build peer networks, and connect companies so they could partner and support each other. Connectivity has value in social capital in addition to financial Capital. We also need excellent manufacturer and supplier infrastructure, access to first-rate healthcare, universities and research facilities, clustered med-tech startups, and access to funding. He thinks it is vital to promote the industry, work on public policy issues, and connect leaders in the industry so they can more easily collaborate.

Today’s Podcast Topics:

· Frank tells our audience about the Smithsonian recognizing “Great Places for Invention in the US” Medical Alley receiving this esteemed distinction.

· How Venture Capital firms are recognizing the innovation occurring within Medical Alley in a profitable way, thus adding increasing value

· How Medical Alley promotes the development of new and existing companies through innovation, thus contributing to economic growth and job creation.

· What are the ideal elements for forming a successful Medical Alley Association?

· Finally, Frank’s perspective to people who are newly entering the Med Tech Industry?

Links and Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

· Frank Jaskulke on LinkedIn 

· Website medicalalley.org

· Email: [email protected]