Applications invited for Accelerate@Babraham life science start-up competition

Cambridge 10^th May 2021: Accelerate @ Babraham, the bio-entrepreneurial incubator initiative founded and developed by the Babraham Research Campus - supported by key industry and investor organisations -  opens applications for its 2021/22 cohort today.

The five-month programme, created out of a desire to support and nurture early-stage life science ventures attempting to navigate this fast-moving sector, offers up to five innovative entrepreneurs the opportunity to experience life as part of one of the most successful locations for life science start-ups in Europe.

The programme, starting in September, will enable the chosen ventures to dedicate five months to the exploration and development of their science in the company of an unrivalled network of strategic partners, mentors, experts, and investors, all committed to equipping the young enterprises with the skills, confidence, and network connections to enable success. Access to free lab space and £10,000 non-dilutive funding completes the package.
A competitive and rigorous selection process, culminating in a fast-paced pitch-final on July 15^th will determine which five companies make it through. Successful ventures will need to be able to succinctly and confidently communicate their idea, its potential impact, and their longer-term ambitions, before navigating a quick-fire Q&A from a distinguished judging panel.

Karolina Zapadka, Head of Accelerate @ Babraham commented: “Further to launching Accelerate @ Babraham in 2018, we have supported 15 companies, delivered over 130 bespoke training sessions, facilitated over 330 hours of round-table seminars and discussions and made a multitude of personal introductions to investors and key opinion leaders across the board. The result of which is an alumni which has raised a total investment of £12.5M to date and made connections that will have career-long value.

“What sets Accelerate @ Babraham apart is the quality of our network of strategic partners and supporters and the willingness of those world-class scientists, business experts and investors to give their time freely to help us provide a springboard for these early-stage enterprises.

“If you are an early-stage life science start-up with a great idea and want to test your science, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do it at one of the best-connected campus communities in Europe.”

Accelerate @ Babraham is supported by a core group of strategic supporters - AstraZeneca, Eisai, LifeArc, Mundipharma and Kidney Research UK - all keen to understand the business opportunities and provide access to their networks too.  Their support enables the delivery of this ground-breaking programme year after year and their expertise, knowledge and connections open doors for the start-ups that would not ordinarily be possible.

For more information, interviews with previous participants, application criteria and to apply visit: www.AccelerateAtBabraham.com www.AccelerateAtBabraham.com

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 30^th June. 

-ENDS-