AGENDA

Wednesday, October 8

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

The (Real) Phoenix Open: Golf at Grayhawk Golf Club

While a little less raucous than the other Phoenix Open, this event will be a great opportunity to tee it up with your fellow attendees at another prominent Scottsdale golf venue. Grayhawk Golf Club has hosted both PGA events and NCAA golf championships, and its Fazio-designed Raptor course offers a classic desert golf experience in a beautiful setting. Sign up individually or else feel free to suggest your preferred playing partner(s), and we’ll let you know your foursome and tee time prior to the event. Grayhawk is a short drive from the Grand Hyatt Resort, and arranged shuttles will be available to get you to and from the course.

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. tee times

11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Women in Medtech Networking Lunch & Activity

Think the desert is all dirt and tumbleweeds? Think again. Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from all around the world spread across 55 acres in Phoenix. Join fellow attendees for a light networking lunch, then enjoy exploring the garden together.

* A shuttle will be provided for all participants to and from the Grand Hyatt Resort and the Desert Botanical Garden.

11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Registration

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Clinical & Commercial Stage Summits (Parallel Tracks)

We’ll begin our 2025 Phoenix business sessions with two parallel tracks: one focused on clinical stage themes and topics, the other on commercial stage. These smaller format sessions are designed to be more interactive and hands-on, allowing all attendees – whether venture-backed CEOs, corporate executives, investors, or other industry stakeholders – to explore their most pressing issues with a group of expert peers, moderators, and clinical/commercial stage luminaries. Please choose the track that best suits you and come ready to engage!

Clinical Summit Moderators:
Maria Berkman, Partner, Vensana Capital
Caroline Gaynor, Partner, Lightstone Ventures

Commercial Summit Moderators:
Mike Kramer, Partner, Vensana Capital
Elena Pretto, Partner, Strategy& part of PwC network

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception & Dinner

Join us on the lawn for the social kick-off of the 2025 Phoenix Conference.

9:00 p.m.

Nightcaps & Networking

For those looking for a bit more camaraderie, join fellow attendees and gather at the lobby bar and patio.

Thursday, October 9

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

8:30 – 8:50 a.m.

The Current Climate for Medtech Investing – A Data-Driven Discussion

The financing and exit environment for medical device companies is dynamic to say the least. Based on proprietary data that his firm collects and analyzes, Jon Norris of HSBC will discuss the current state of medtech investing in private companies as well as recent trends in M&A and IPO exits.

Presenter:
Jon Norris, Managing Director, HSBC Innovation

8:50 – 9:30 a.m.

Follow the Money: Venture Capital Performance and its Impact on the Future of Medtech

Medtech venture capital has long been perceived as a lower performer relative to other venture sectors, whether broader healthcare or technology. If this is indeed true, it jeopardizes the entire sector, since limited partner investment follows performance, and a decline of investment into medtech venture funds would reduce capital available for venture-backed companies and the innovative products that they develop and that acquiring strategics need to fuel their growth. A panel of experienced medtech VCs will explore this important dynamic and discuss what each of us can do to ensure that strong and sustainable financial returns support a thriving ecosystem.

Moderators:
Kirk Nielsen, Managing Partner, Vensana Capital
Jan Garfinkle, Managing Partner, Arboretum Ventures

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Fireside Chat:  A Conversation with a Medtech Leader 

Join us as we interview a distinguished leader in our sector.

10:00 – 10:20 a.m.

Networking Break

10:20 – 11:00 a.m.

Beyond Governance: What Makes for a Great Board?

The best companies in our sector are led by stellar management teams with the support of strong and experienced boards of directors. This relationship between team and board is paramount, yet far too often, it breaks down. Our panel of experienced board members and company executives will explore what makes for a strong, trusting, value-creating dynamic between team and board, with factors that include board composition, founder/CEO transition, mutual expectation setting, and culture. They’ll also discuss what can go wrong, and how everyone around the table can play an important role in driving alignment and ensuring that the board moves beyond simple governance to play a critical role in guiding the company to a successful outcome.

Moderators:
Beckie Robertson, Managing Director, Versant Ventures; Board Chair, Ceribell / Tandem Diabetes
Bill Hoffman, Venture Partner, Vensana Capital; former CEO, Inari Medical

11:00 – 11:40 a.m.

Bringing Together Builders and Buyers: Structuring Deals for Success

Navigating medtech M&A in today’s economic environment is more complex than ever. Success requires not only strategic vision but also nuanced knowledge of deal structures and terms that can make or break a transaction. Join a panel of seasoned bankers who will share their perspective on how deals come together and insights into creative structures to ensure alignment between parties, overcome concerns around dilution and integration risks, and maximize total transaction value.

Moderator:
Justin Klein, Managing Partner, Vensana Capital

11:40 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

12:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Inaugural Phoenix Pickleball Open

Whether you’ve never picked up a paddle or you’re a local legend, join us for a fun afternoon playing the country’s fastest growing sport. We’ll provide the courts, the equipment, and the first-aid kits – you simply bring your game. We plan to split players into three groups – Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced – with each group playing for approximately 75 minutes. Beginners will learn the game with the help of a pro, while Intermediate and Advanced groups will be paired up for tournament play, with the winners taking home some prize money for their favorite charities.

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Inaugural Phoenix Cornhole Jamboree

This activity has something for everyone. While cornhole (aka “bags”) will be the main attraction, we’ll also set up a few other classic backyard games for you to try. This will all take place in the same location as the Pickleball Open and will be held in a casual, drop-in format, so stop by whenever you can, grab a refreshment, meet some new friends, and have a little fun before the watch party.

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The Phoenix School of Rock

In honor of its 30th anniversary, the Phoenix Conference will “bring the band back together” in a special performance by the Phoenix School of Rock Band at the Hall of Fame dinner. You can participate as a musician or a performer in the rehearsal of a popular song with lyrics re-written with a medical device theme. Anyone from professional musicians to the simply curious are encouraged to join.

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Paddles & Pints: Phoenix Pickleball Open Finals Watch Party

Nothing better than watching amateur athletes sweat the pressure while they battle it out for pride and (charity) prize money, so let’s bring a center court atmosphere to the Pickleball Open Finals. We’ll have music, drinks, cornhole and other games, and of course, what should be some highly entertaining pickleball. The finals of both the Intermediate and Advanced tournaments will be held side-by-side, with the winners taking home the inaugural trophies along with some dollars for their favorite causes.

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Pre-Reception Break

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

The Phoenix Hall of Fame Reception & Dinner

For 30 years, the Phoenix Conference has recognized exceptional medtech leaders. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other luminaries who made significant and lasting impact on the industry over the course of their careers. The Innovator Award winner will join other medtech pioneers who developed products that launched successful companies, redefined standards of care, and most importantly, helped patients. Join us in celebrating the 2025 Phoenix Hall of Fame award recipients — and enjoy a special performance by the Phoenix School of Rock Band!

9:30 – 10:30 p.m.

After-Dinner Networking Reception

Join in post dinner cocktails & desserts while congratulating this year’s award recipients.

10:30 p.m.

Nightcaps & Networking

For those looking for a bit more camaraderie, join fellow attendees and gather at the lobby bar and patio.

Friday, October 10

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

Networking Breakfast