Published on Friday, January 16, 2026
More than 35 high-growth biotech startups from across the Midwest gathered in San Francisco this week for the Midwest Biotech Startup Showcase, co-hosted by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Northwestern University in partnership with peer universities.
The event drew over 250 investors, industry leaders, and strategic partners for an evening of company demos and networking, spotlighting startups emerging from the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, and Purdue University. The companies spanned across biotech, including advanced therapies, biologics, diagnostics, medical devices, small molecules, software, and enabling platforms, reflecting the depth of the Midwest’s biotech ecosystem.
A portfolio book of the presenting startups can be found here >>
“The Midwest continues to produce companies built on strong science and thoughtful commercialization strategies,” said Heather Walsh, assistant vice president for Technology Ventures at the Polsky Center. “By bringing these companies to San Francisco, we’re connecting them with investors who can help accelerate their growth and expand their impact in biotech.”
The companies are addressing some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges, including oncology, autoimmune disease, neuroscience, cardiology, metabolic disease, infectious disease, and clinical development efficiency. They range from seed-stage to Series B, reflecting the region’s growing ability to translate academic innovation.
“The caliber of companies coming out of the Midwest right now is excellent,” said venture investor Lauren Popov, PhD, of Westlake BioPartners, who attended the event. “These are capital-efficient teams, with strong science and clearly articulated clinical and commercial pathways.”
Following the event, participating companies are continuing investor and strategic conversations initiated at the showcase, including follow-up meetings and Midwest site visits. The Polsky Center and the other Universities plan to continue expanding the showcase as a national platform connecting Midwest innovation with global capital and industry.