2. A better spot may not exist for a biotech health
accelerator in South Puget Sound. Two blocks from
University of Washington Tacoma, five minutes from
MultiCare and Franciscan Health Systems, and twelve
minutes from Madigan Army Medical Center. Served
by transit in a gritty but trendy and growing part of
downtown.
S. 23rd St.
Tacoma, WA
Readiness Acceleration and
“Forming companies that create health and biotech jobs”
Innovation Network (RAIN)
3. Mission & VisionRAIN: A biotechnology & health-based innovation
center for South Puget Sound
The Readiness Acceleration and Innovation Network
(RAIN) will streamline and support new ideas through a
collaboration between innovators, expert practitioners
and university students leading to accelerated
commercialization of new products that serve the
military, medical and industrial sectors.
Companies formed. Workers trained. Jobs created.
It’s all about readiness. Through access to the region’s
largest medical providers, entrepreneurs can more quickly
access a path to success.” Col. David McCune, M.D.“
”
4. The Collaborative Solution
RAIN
The University of Washington Tacoma
Will provide mentorship and laboratory support, as
well as an onsite certificate program for students to
become proficient in laboratory protocols.
MultiCare Health System
MultiCare’s Health Institute for Research and
Innovation will provide support for proof of
concept through its fully integrated medical
record system.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
The base is host to the Army’s second
largest teaching hospital. Madigan
Army Medical Center works with
eligible non-federal research partners
to meet the needs of soldiers and
their families.
The City of Tacoma
The City of Tacoma will provide space
through property acquisition and a
no-cost lease.
The Local Investor Community
Investors find opportunity and incur less risk
through the proof of concept support offered
by RAIN, where providers for 500,000 patients
meet market validation, product iteration, and
business model development.
Local Biotech Companies
Entrepreneurship and collaboration
thrive in a space where collisions
occur between scientists, experts,
data, and students.
Biotechnology/Health-Based Accelerator
5. Leadership Team
UWT Liaison and Science Director
David has a PhD in neuroimmunologyand is a faculty
member with the biotechnology program at University
of WashingtonTacoma as Affiliate AssociateProfessor
and Senior Scientist. He will work at RAIN,connecting
entrepreneurs with trained students who can provide
labor support to startups while building resumes at the
same time.
Interim Executive Director
Rob is a serial entrepreneur and a Health Innovation
Advisor and Entrepreneur in Residenceat University
of Washington.Rob will coordinate logisticsfor
launch, recruit companies and venture capital, as
well as train RAIN’s permanent executive director.
David Hirschberg, Ph.D
Medical Research Director
As Medical Director of the MultiCare Institutefor Research
and Innovation,Paul has access to substantialdata and
patient resources needed to test biological products or
devices to make them market ready. Paul will serve as a
senior mentor and liaison to clinical trials for entrepreneurs.
Paul Amoroso, M.D.
Rob Arnold
Madigan/DoD Liaison
As Research Consultantof the Army’s Western Regional
Medical Command, David is the subject matter expert and
chief proponent for research strategy. David will work to
identify and collaborate with projects that address unmet
medical needs of the military population.
Col. David McCune, M.D.
John Inman Ed.D.
Director of Commercialization
John has a PhD in EducationalLeadership and Change
from Fielding Graduate University, has many years of
advanced industry experience,served as a startup coach
at the ZINO Society, and has managed several leadership
development, marketing, and business development
programs. John will serve RAIN as the director of the
business mentorship, education,and development
functions.
6. Full-Time Staff
Head Research Scientist
Judy holds a PhD, Biochemistryand Cellular and
MolecularBiology from the Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine and is a research scientist at
Enertechnix Process Sensors, Inc.. She will serve as
RAIN’s head research scientist and bio mentor for
our biotech startups.
Judy Nguyen, Ph.D.
Alex Lineweaver, M.S.
Lead Lab Technician
Alex has his Master of Science, in Chemistry (with
emphasis in polymers) from the University of
Oregon and has served in several technical roles
in the laboratory setting. He will work at RAIN as
the lead lab technician supporting maintaining,
and managing the laboratory workspace as well
as working with the incubatees in their lab
research and production.
Program Manager
Dane is a BBA (with a focus in finance) from the
Milgard SoB and is a student of cross-sectoral
collaboration, process, and entrepreneurship. He
will be serving at RAIN as their program manager,
administeringthe RAIN incubation program,
developing RAIN’s constellationof resources, and
working closely with incubatees to refine their
business strategy, process, and execution.
Dane Jessen
Our on-site execution team
Josh Haney, M.S.
Facility Operations Director
Josh is CEO at Footprint Bioscience, Operations
Manager at GeneralBiodiesel and holds extensive
experience in laboratory development, bio-
industrial process engineering and innovation, and
biochemicalengineering.He will serve as RAIN’s
facilitysuperintendent and bioindustrialmentor.
7. Impact
Regional Gaps
• All Puget Sound life science
accelerator/incubator/wet lab
space is currently near Seattle.
• Less than 5% vacancy, cost of
space is rising ($45+/sf).
• Seattle is more than two hours
drive from Madigan & MultiCare.
• Entrepreneurs face cost/time
obstacles for clinical trials and
proof of concept.
Model Specifics/Assets
• Direct access to Madigan and
MultiCare including guidance about
relevant product types, protocols,
DoD funding opportunities.
• Access to world class state of the art
university faculty researchers core
labs and facilities (2 adjacent to
campus) and the UW network.
• Independent: IP does not become
tied to the lab owner.
• Participation on sliding membership
basis, based on facility usage.
Blue Collar Ethics & Support
• Our goal is to build a competent
biotech community to create new
companies and technical jobs.The
primary investment is in training
people and in providing access to the
facility, networking, and bio and
business advisory services.
• Diverse and largely blue-collar
students will be trained at the
facility, which is able to support
entrepreneurs in gaining certified lab
skills and becoming prepared for high
quality jobs or innovative projects of
their own.
9. Target- Advanced
Manufacturing
RAIN is focused on
product development
that leads to
manufacturing and
production. Our
innovators will be
working on biological
and technical devices
and trials primarily
related to military
health.
Marketing Strategy
Membership Growth
RAIN's membership growth
target is 100% annually for 3
years.
x2/yr
Company Growth
Starting with 2 anchor
companies, RAIN will vet and
bring in 8 new companies
within the first 3 years.
+2/yr
Local
Conferences
Social
Media
Entrepreneurial
and Science
Meetups
Empowering
Our Startups
to Represent
RAIN
Community
Events at
the Facility Collaboration
with
Stakeholders
10. Metrics
I6 Required Metric End of Grant (EOG) EOG +2yrs EOG +5yrs
Startups launched 8 15 25
Progress to graduation 3 6 10
Jobs created 100 150 250
Qualitative impact
(students internships)
75 125 200
Corporate partnerships 10 25 50
Donor funds raised $0.5 M $1M $3M
Outside funds (grants) $1.5M $2.5M $5M
# SBIR/STTR proposals 4 15 25
11. I6 Challenge Grant*
Used to pay staff, adapt the
facility, build a laboratory,
and operate for 3 years.
*University overhead deducted before
calculation.
City of Tacoma
Property Acquisition Grant
(Unanimous approval,
$500,000)
Used for the facility.
Use & Match of Grant Funds
I6 Challenge Funds would be 40.2% of project start up resources if awarded.
Start Up Budget = ~$1 million, not including in kind personnel
5.5%
Grants & Donors
SBA Grant
(Anticipated $50,000)
Fund raising events
(anticipated value not
included in calculation)
Used for setup and
operations.
54.3
%
40.2%
12. TOP 50 Most Diverse College
Campuses in the US.
(Best College Reviews, 2015)
Population highlights:
University of Washington Tacoma
UW Tacoma is a catalyst for our region, providing
access to students in a way that transforms families
and the community. As an urban-serving university,
UWT impacts and informs economic development
through community-engaged students and faculty.
UWT conducts research that is of direct use to our
community and region. Most importantly, UWT
seeks to be connected and relevant to our
community and student populations’ aspirations
and needs.
Thank you.
