Mission Statement

Our mission is threefold:

  1. To provide data-driven consulting solutions to promote sustained growth of emerging technologies and scalable business,

  2. To provide hands-on experience in the business of science and technology, focusing on the developing of transferable knowledge and skills for post-graduate professionals, and

  3. To support, expand, and shape entrepreneurship and innovation in the St. Louis region and beyond.

Our Story

The Biotechnology and Life Science Advising Group (BALSA) is a nonprofit organization founded in December 2010 by a group of biomedical PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows from Washington University School of Medicine (WashU) in St. Louis, MO. The goal of the group is to supplement academic training by providing real-world experience in the science of business and development of transferable professional skills to better prepare members for both academic and non-academic career paths. BALSA further aims to offer a bridge between academia and industry, fostering collaborations between local universities and companies, to strengthen the young and vibrant startup community in St. Louis.

100+

Number of Active Members

Our consultants stem from WashU, Saint Louis University, and the broader St. Louis community.

Since its inception, BALSA has grown to encompass approximately 100 active members from WashU, Saint Louis University (SLU), and the St. Louis professional community. Consultants come from a myriad of backgrounds including cell biology, neuroscience, immunology, microbiology, genetics and genomics, cancer biology, plant biology, chemistry, engineering, business and law. While members enter with little experience in professional consulting, BALSA harnesses the analytical power of graduate students and postdocs by teaching them to apply the systematic, critical thinking approach of the scientific method to business problems to generate innovative, data-driven solutions for clients. Consultants learn the market research skills necessary to deliver these recommendations through teamwork and peer-to-peer mentoring with experienced project managers and advisors.

Since 2011, BALSA has engaged with more than 150 independent clients, including startups, universities, mid-large size companies, investment firms, consulting firms, and more. We have provided consulting services to companies across 11 US states as well as a few international institutions. BALSA teams have completed more than 300 projects on a wide variety of topics including market research, technology development, competitor analysis, business plan development, and consumer facing materials.

Words from our Presidents (Yuang Song & Piya Siripoksup)

Reflecting on 2024
Throughout 2024, The BALSA Group continued to expand its reach and impact under the leadership of the current officer board. We strengthened our relationships with a diverse client base, broadened our professional development offerings, and built new connections within the St. Louis innovation ecosystem. These efforts have sustained our upward momentum and laid the foundation for continued growth.

A Regional Leader in Trainee-Driven Consulting
BALSA once again co-organized the Midwest Healthcare Case Competition (MHCC) alongside MiLEAD and WiSolve. This year’s competition drew over 231 participants (+2.7%) from 67 institutions (+9.8%)—including Stanford, Caltech, Harvard, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Yale, and Cornell—spanning 7 countries (+75%), and was sponsored by leading firms in life sciences and consulting. The MHCC remains a flagship opportunity for trainees to sharpen their analytical skills and engage with professionals across biotechnology, strategy, and venture investing.

Strategic Expansion and New Opportunities
One of BALSA’s strategic goals for 2024 was to engage more deeply with the neuroscience technology sector. We are pleased to report that this objective has been achieved, thanks to targeted outreach. This expansion has allowed our consultants to work on exciting, high-impact projects while supporting innovation in a rapidly evolving field.

Vision for 2025
In 2025, BALSA aims to strengthen its value proposition both as a trusted consulting partner and a premier training ground for early-career professionals. We will continue to evolve our service offerings to meet the needs of emerging startups and research-based ventures, while enhancing the rigor, structure, and support provided to our consultants.

Our strategic priorities include positioning BALSA as a commercialization partner within the St. Louis innovation ecosystem, launching new partnerships to expand our technical and client-service capabilities, and deepening our support for The BALSA Foundation through direct funding in the form of $1000 and $5000 grants for early-stage entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.

Thank You
To our clients: thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. Your support enables BALSA to grow both as an organization and as a training ground for future leaders in science, business, and innovation.

To our current and former members: your dedication, professionalism, and talent drive the success of The BALSA Group. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to another year of meaningful impact.

From Yuang Song & Dr. Piya Siripoksup