The J.P. Morgan 41st Annual Healthcare Conference, otherwise known as JPM 2023, is returning in-person to San Francisco for the first time in two years.
The event is set to take place from January 9 – 12, 2023, and, with it, comes a host of networking events and afterparties.
Craft cocktail classes on Zoom won’t cut it this year.
Why attend networking events at JPM 2023?
A return to in-person programming is welcome news for a conference renowned for being among the premier healthcare deal-making and investment events in the world. Here’s why you can’t go to the conference but not go to the afterparties:
- Gain insight into 2023’s tumultuous investment landscape: Healthcare is still well positioned relative to the rest of the economy as we head into a prolonged recession, but, as Silicon Valley Bank noted in its mid-year report, a dip in Q2 2022 investment for early-stage healthcare companies might signal a pullback in 2023, a sentiment its end of year report is sure to echo. Nothing will give you a better sense of these emerging trends than a transparent conversation with the experts after hours, where they can talk more freely.
- Shake the right hands: For any startup, R&D team, or innovation lead, these parties are where deals are born. You can get to know the team on the other side of the table on a personal level, build trust, and lay the groundwork for future investment.
- Have a good time: The events are roaring back in a big way at this year’s conference, and they genuinely promise to be a good time. Want to golf, bowl, or play skee-ball? We’ve got the event for you.
There are dozens of pre-during-and-after-parties at JPM 2023. Luckily, we researched the best ones so you don’t have to. Some of the big events hosted by the likes of BCG and McKinsey are invite-only, so we made sure our list was fun, open to everyone, and, most importantly, free!
1. Alternative JPM (Indie Rock Concert)
When? Sun, January 8, 2023, 7:00PM – 11:00PM PST
Where? The Independent, 628 Divisadero Street San Francisco, CA 94117
Alternative JPM has the hilarious honor of being JPM 2020’s “most instagrammed” event (no independent verification of this claim has been done at this time). It takes place the night before the conference, so if you get to your hotel room and don’t know what to do, this is the place to go.
There will be free drinks, though free food isn’t provided. There will be 3 bands (some of indie rock’s finest) and several biopharma panels, focused on innovation.
2. The Bullpen Social
When? Mon, January 9, 2023, 4:00PM – 7:00PM PST
Where? Campus, 2241 Chestnut Street San Francisco, CA 94123
After the first day of the conference, head down to the Marina District to network with over 100 members of the “Bullpen,” a global group of CxOs, Investors, and Advisors attending JPM Week 2023 together.
Phillip Ebner, Executive Director of Life Sciences at JPMorgan & Chase, is the Bullpen Host. And, to help you prep for JPM, make sure to attend their weekly peer coaching webinars that feature a talk given by an industry dealmaker for 30 minutes followed by 60-minute breakout sessions.
3. Cocktail Reception at the Historic Redwood Room
When? Mon, January 9, 2023, 6:00PM – 9:00PM PST
Where? The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, 495 Geary Street Redwood Room, San Francisco, California 94102
This event will be held at one of the swankiest venues on our list, The Clift’s famous and historic Redwood Room, which, legend has it, was carved from a single redwood tree. The room also has an enormous bar made from an 800-year-old redwood tree and Gustav Klimt originals hanging on the walls.
The event is co-hosted by BioMed Realty, the single largest provider of realty to companies in the life sciences industry, and BioCom California, a life sciences trade association in California with 1,700+ members.
4. Y Combinator Happy Hour
When? Tue, January 10, 2023, 2:30PM – 5:00PM PST
Where? Sign up by December 29th to receive details about location
Y Combinator is one of the most famous startup investment and accelerator programs in the world, with notable alumni from companies such as Airbnb, Stripe, Ginkgo Bioworks, and many, many more.
While this event is primarily aimed at YC alumni, it is still open to investors, industry leaders, and early-stage founders.
It will have drinks and appetizers. Space is limited, so sign up before December 29th!
5. Bullpen’s Stretch @ Eagle Club Indoor Golf
When? Tue, January 10, 2023, 4:00PM – 7:00PM PST
Where? Eagle Club Indoor Golf, 840 Folsom Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Another event with the Bullpen (see above) was too good to pass up! The event will be held at an indoor driving range with state-of-the-art launch monitors, free food, and a deep drink menu.
6. SmartLabs’ JPM Nightcap (Bowling, Skeeball, and Music)
When? Tue, January 10, 2023, 9:00PM – 12:00AM PST
Where? Fifth Arrow, 430 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Join the SmartLabs community of innovators and disruptors for SmartLabs’ JPM Nightcap. Take a moment from JP Morgan week to let loose by hitting the bowling lanes, showing off your dance moves, and enjoying the night with SmartLabs.
7. STAT’s JPM Recap, Live
When? Fri, January 13, 2023, 10:00AM – 11:00AM PST
Where? Virtual
This is the only virtual event on this list, and it’s not really a networking event at all, but we still HAD to include it. Hosted by the leading publication in the healthcare space, STAT, this session is an opportunity to get the full download of all the JPM sessions you might have missed from the reporters who not only attended them, but were probably taking notes, too!
Halo’s attending JPM 2023, too!
Halo helps R&D teams collaborate more efficiently through a suite of software tools and a global network of researchers actively looking to partner with industry.
Get in touch to learn how R&D-driven companies like Takeda, Bayer and P&G are finding solutions to their toughest scientific challenges on Halo. And look out for Halo’s CEO, Kevin Leland, at the conference and these can’t-miss events.
Think we’re missing one of best receptions JPM has to offer? Let us know and we’ll check it out.
