Colorado’s life sciences community raised $1.2 billion in the first two quarters of 2024. Public and private capital, as well as federal and state grants contributed to the fundraising totals January 1, 2024-June 30, 2024.  

The continued strong fundraising comes after CNBC highlighted the fundraising momentum of Colorado’s life sciences community during its “Cities of Success” special report. The ecosystem’s fundraising now stands at $11 billion raised in the last seven years and six months.  

“Colorado is the Hub for Health Impact, with life sciences financings surging past the billion-dollar mark in the first two quarters of 2024,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association. “Health innovations from Colorado save and change lives around the world and investors want to seize opportunities here.” 

Fundraising Totals
In the first two quarters of 2024, Colorado companies raised $794.6 million in public capital through M&A, post-IPO debt, and post-IPO equity. Companies and the state’s academic and research institutions also received $257.9 million in state, federal and foundation grants. Colorado life sciences companies also raised $155.3 million in private capital. 

Venture Capital Totals  
Pre-Seed and Seed: $8.9M
Series A and B: $111.4M 
Series C, D, and Later: $35M 

Colorado Life Sciences Financing History 
2024 Q1 and Q2: $1.2 billion
2023: $1.47 billion
2022: $1.6 billion
2021: $2.4 billion
2020: $1.2 billion, $2.6 billion including Invitae acquisition of ArcherDX 
2019: $850 million, $12.1 billion including Pfizer acquisition of Array Biopharma
2018: $1 billion
2017: $1.2 billion

Colorado BioScience Association compiles and analyzes annual life sciences financings using publicly available sources, including company news releases, media reports, SEC filings, federal and state databases, and Crunchbase. 

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CNBC coverage highlights the growth and momentum of life sciences in Colorado, including record funding, top talent, innovative collaborations with leading academic and research institutions, and investments in lab space.

Colorado Bioscience Association: Record Fundraising 

“Investors from Colorado as well as across the coasts are seeing opportunities here,” said Elyse Blazevich, president and CEO of the Colorado Bioscience Association. “Our ecosystem has raised in excess of a billion dollars for the past seven consecutive years — and early-stage funding in Colorado in 2023 grew faster than other life sciences markets around the country.” 

The Colorado Bioscience Association plays a pivotal role in supporting the region's life sciences sector. Notably, the association says the consistent rise in funding, with early-stage funding surpassing other markets in 2023, indicates robust growth and potential for further innovation.

BioMed Realty: Bold Investments

San Diego-based BioMed Realty's acquired the Flatiron Park life sciences campus in Boulder for $625 million. 

“This was a logical next step … to invest in Boulder and scale,” Tim Schoen, BioMed Realty’s president and CEO, told CNBC. “Boulder has all the elements you want in an innovation ecosystem — research universities, scientists, venture capital, and then ourselves who provide the mission-critical infrastructure.”

Edgewise Therapeutics: A Serial Entrepreneur’s Success Story 

Entrepreneur Kevin Koch's journey exemplifies the region's entrepreneurial spirit. Co-founder of Array BioPharma, Koch's company was acquired for over $10 billion, demonstrating the region's track record of success. Koch's current venture, Edgewise Therapeutics, continues to thrive, showcasing the region's conducive environment for startups and talent.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus: Fostering Innovation

At the heart of Denver's biggest suburb, Aurora, lies the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, an academic medical campus at the forefront of transformative education, science, medicine, and healthcare. The campus's Center for Drug Discovery utilizes state-of-the-art technology to expedite drug development, potentially revolutionizing treatment timelines and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

Colorado’s ascent as a life sciences powerhouse underscores the convergence of innovation, investment, and collaboration, positioning the region as a global leader in biotech advancements around the country.

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