An invite-only, Member-led Club gathering Life Science Dealmakers with a shared goal of helping each other.
In 2021, I reached out to an old friend named Phil Ebner at JPMorgan. I told him about a project I was calling Bullpen. I wanted to pull together life science leaders to prepare for, and attend, JPM Week. He agreed to help me.
The bullpen is where pitchers perfect their craft and help each other perform better. It is a sacred place in the game of baseball. Phil and I wanted to bring this concept to our networks.
Hundreds of leaders joined our virtual prep meetings that Fall. Unfortunately, JPM Week 2022 was canceled due to COVID-19. But, we knew we had something special in the Bullpen.
Since then, Bullpen has continued to offer virtual events, as well as in person events in San Francisco, Boston, Miami, New Orleans, Birmingham, Minneapolis and San Diego. We have hosted thousands of Dealmakers.
We rely on Sponsor Members to cover the operating costs of Bullpen in-person events. Club Members pay a modest fee to cover Bullpen administrative costs.
When we started Bullpen, we never imagined our little experiment in community-building would grow so fast. In October of 2025 we announced our new name: BLPN – Building Legendary Professional Networks.
It’s more than just a new look; it’s a brand that better represents the energy and inclusivity of the Life Science industry we serve.
While the name is evolving, our heart hasn’t changed.
Our #Mantra remains: Find Someone to Help. Repeat.
That spirit of generosity and collaboration is what built this network and will continue to fuel it as we grow.
Looking ahead to 2026, we have big plans: launching regional chapters, rolling out a member concierge partnering platform, and expanding our events to make it even easier for members to find the right connections.
We’re also excited to announce several Sustaining Partners who are stepping up to help subsidize membership fees, ensuring our community remains accessible while continuing to grow stronger.
Together, we’re building something truly legendary.
Christiaan Engstrom
Founder & CEO, BLPN
