Bridging the Gap: Helena Strigård on Navigating Risk and Timing in Life Science
By Helena Strigård, Founder and Senior Advisor at Ventures Accelerated
February 3, 2026
Life science is a sector of big breakthroughs and equally big risks. Many investors have experienced both. It’s a space where progress takes time, trust is built slowly, and experience can make all the difference.
That perspective shaped a recent conversation with Helena Strigård, Founder and CEO of Ventures Accelerated, who joined Trading Direkt in the Infront Direkt studios to discuss what really happens behind the scenes of life science companies.
In this interview, Helena shared insights drawn from years of working closely with both early-stage startups and large global life science players. Rather than focusing on short-term market movements, Helena spoke about the realities companies face in their earliest stages: the gaps in capital, the steep learning curves, and the challenge of communicating highly complex science without overpromising.
She explored how investors can think more clearly about clinical phases and risk trade-offs, emphasizing why trust is built over time; not overnight.
A key part of the discussion centered on communication. Life science companies must articulate potential while being transparent about risk, a balance that is difficult but essential for maintaining credibility. Helena highlighted how scientific complexity can make this even harder, especially for investors without a technical background, and why patience and long-term thinking are often undervalued in the sector.
The conversation also touched on Helena’s reflections from the JPM Healthcare Conference, which she described as both a global meeting point and a proving ground. It’s where networks are built, ideas are tested, and where being “globally street smart” — understanding people, culture, and context — can make all the difference.
Watch the full interview on Youtube