EPIC 2021
As iGEM EPIC matures into it’s 2nd year we welcome a new committee and new vision for EPIC V.2 in 2021. We caught up with Cheng Kai, iGEM EPIC Chair and Marjolein Crooijmans iGEM EPIC Co-Chair to learn more about their thoughts and visions for 2021.
EPIC’s Mission
We believe that iGEM alumni are an untapped entrepreneurial force that can bring huge benefits to our growing bioeconomy. To achieve the SDGs set by the UN, we have to accelerate our transition to a sustainable world, which iGEM alumni have the potential to make a significant contribution to.
As such, we at EPIC aim to help iGEM alumni bring their capabilities and talents into the business world, by:
• Teaching them basics of business and how to achieve product-market fit
• Connecting them to people who are able to help them in their endeavors, such as investors, accelerators and advisors (scientific or otherwise)
• Building a supportive community of various stakeholders in the bioeconomy, ranging from government to industry and academia, that can assist these alumni in growing their businesses.
As such, we are here to serve as catalysts for iGEM ventures. We want our iGEM alumni to be independent learners that move onwards from our initial programme into various accelerators and incubators - going forth into the wider world - as fast as possible. We do not intend to take equity or contribute actively to the venture creation process, but rather act as a supportive community and network for Synthetic Biology Entrepreneurship worldwide.
EPIC Program 2021
Venture Creation Labs (VCL)
iGEMers from each region are selected and invited to our virtual company creation studio encompassing workshops, co-founder matchmaking and networking opportunities with companies and investors. The purpose is to equip our upcoming biofounders with tools, strategies and the team they need to realize their ventures. This will be a month-long programme. These sessions will be held regionally. Materials on basic concepts in bioentrepreneurship will be provided for self-learning, and teams are expected to go through the materials before sessions. Throughout each week, teams will have the opportunity to have a coaching session whereby they get 30 minutes with EPIC committee members and various mentors to prepare their business case.
Mentorship Program
The mentorship programme will be held right after the VCL. Teams will be paired with mentors who will continue to guide them in a structured manner. Mentors will have a choice of teams and vice-versa, with pairings to be decided by the Heads + VCL Leads of each region. Mentors will have the freedom to decide how they should work together with teams, although we expect mentors to meet teams at least once a week, and will be benchmarked with other teams to encourage friendly competition. Teams will have fortnightly check-ins with members of EPIC, with the programme lasting ~2 months from May to June. At the end of the mentorship, teams will be selected for the Fast-Track programme whereby they will pitch to a panel of investors that we’ve selected.
Fast-Track Program
Teams go through a 1 week pitch-training to assess their progress and pitch to a panel of investors. The intention of the Fast-Track Programme is to allow startups a chance to directly meet investors and understand their requirements. Teams are selected with the input of mentors, with decisions to be made by regional and global heads. 5 teams from each region are to be selected along with a panel of 3 investors from each region. External teams set up by iGEM alumni will also get the opportunity to be selected here, with a maximum of 2 ‘wildcard’ teams per region. Teams will have the opportunity to follow up with investors after the pitching session.
Start-Up Showcase
This will be similar to EPIC2020, with panels, pitching sessions, and keynotes. We will be hosting another conference style event, so networking sessions, more corporate VC involvement, and an overall larger scale will be anticipated. There is a possibility of hosting a separate "innovation conference" that would run parallel to the main iGEM Giant Jamboree, which will be explored, circumstances permitting.
About iGEM EPIC
The Entrepreneurship Program Innovation Community (EPIC) supports the development of iGEM’s entrepreneurial community. We aim to become the driving force behind hundreds of SynBio based start-ups globally to help accelerate our transition to a more sustainable bioeconomy. The core of the program is focused on supporting iGEMers by providing resources and training in biobusiness, and connecting them to relevant co-founders, mentors, accelerators, investors and partners. This is done through a range of activities globally including the Venture Creation Labs, Mentorship Program, Fast Track Program and the annual Startup Showcase.
Feel free to learn more about EPIC and reach out to us if you have any questions to epic@igem.org.
