The Biotechnology and Life Sciences Advising Group (BALSA) was 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. Its mission 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. We provide clients with data-driven consulting solutions to promote sustained growth of emerging technologies and scalable business. Consultants gain hands-on experience in business initiatives and the opportunity to develop transferable professional skills. Our group of young professionals strive to support, expand, and shape technology entrepreneurship and innovation in the St. Louis region and beyond.