Sailing into the SynBio Future: a Thrilling Ride Through the BioInnovation Fair at the iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree

The first BioInnovation Fair at the iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree provided a platform for startups, innovators, and industry leaders to explore the future landscape of synthetic biology. It was our pleasure to host over 150 founders and over 100 leading synbio entrepreneurship stakeholders as part of our tailored 4-day program in Paris, that included opportunities to engage in dynamic networking with all kinds of synbio stakeholders, interesting panels at our startups stage, and a diverse array of perspectives on what lies ahead in the world of biotechnology. 

Industries joining all over the world

Established leaders and rising stars from various industrial sectors in synbio coming from around the globe attended the iGEM Grand Jamboree 2023, and specifically the BioInnovation Fair, to expand their businesses, make impactful lasting connections within the world’s largest synbio community, and shape the global bioeconomy together. Takashi Ebihara, CEO at Gene Frontier, expressed his amazement at the enthusiasm of the iGEM community, seeing it as a fertile ground for new ideas and market exploration.

“This is actually my first time to be here (iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree), and I was so amazed by such enthusiastic people in this conference. iGEM is a very good field to come up with a new idea. I hope we can find a new application for our product and explore new markets and industry applications.” - Takashi Ebihara, CEO at Gene Frontier

Chad Gallinat, Foundry Director at Conservation X Labs, attended his first iGEM Grand Jamboree with the aim of learning about applications on synbio technologies relevant to his work. The collaborative spirit and diverse range of topics covered at iGEM left a profound impact on participants.

“It’s my first iGEM, and I am here to learn about all of the exciting teamwork that’s happening to get a sense of some of the applications and technologies that might be relevant for the work that I do at Conservation X Labs.” - Chad Gallinat, Foundry Director at Conservation X Labs

Startup community presence

It is well known that iGEM is the heart of synthetic biology, having brought forth countless novel synbio projects and companies - so it is no surprise that many of our alumni startups also joined the BioInnovation Fair. Opentrons, a company deeply connected to iGEM since 2014, participated with their new initiative, Opentrons for Education. Dr. Kennedy McDaniel Bae, Associate Director of Product at Opentrons, expressed excitement about engaging with students and educators in iGEM. Opentrons, a startup spin-off from iGEMers, is making lab automation fully accessible, addressing the needs of labs differently from traditional R&D and is now considered a global leader in their field.

“Opentrons participated in iGEM back in 2014, our co-founders were deeply involved with iGEM for several years after. We love iGEM predominantly because it is about community, and as an open-source company, we understand that community is one of the most important things to enable." - Dr. Kennedy McDaniel Bae - Associate Director of Product at Opentrons

Beyond the Bioinnovation Fair

The startups village not only showcased innovative startups and industries but also hosted insightful talks covering various aspects of synbio industries and entrepreneurship, from the basics to specific areas like health, sustainability, biomanufacturing, and food. The range of synbio stakeholders and the inclusion of both seasoned iGEM veterans and newcomers added depth to the discussions. Here are some of their thoughts on this years’ iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree:

“The spirit here (at the iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree) and the mindset and the energy, the vibration are so amazing. I have been following iGEM for about 18 years or so, and I am a big fan. I just never could make it before, so if I could make it next year, I will come, for sure.” - Philipp Baaske, Founder of NanoTemper Technologies (Keynote Speaker in “Bootstrapped, Profitable Global Leader- the Unique Story of NanoTemper”)

"It's completely overwhelming, very exciting, and just filled with science at the same time. There's so much going on. The amount of work the students have put into their projects, and seeing the combination of creativity and science is truly exciting. You don't see this anywhere else." - Johanna Hansen, R&D Director in Vaccine Technologies at Regeneron (Panelist in the panel discussion, “Innovating Healthcare: Tackling Startup Hurdles in MedTech and Diagnostics” and iGEM 2023 Competition Judge)

The Bioinnovation Fair not only provided a snapshot of the current synbio landscape but also ignited the imagination of participants for what could unfold in the next 1, 5, and 10 years - in their personal careers and in the global bioeconomy landscape. The iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree marked a crucial step in the collaborative journey toward a future where innovation and science converge to address global challenges.

iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree just ended, but worry not! Don’t miss out on the next BioInnovation Fair at the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree - October 23 - October 26, 2024. Sign up to our newsletter to received updates on iGEM Startups news and events or email us at startups@igem.org

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