Start Your SynBio Venture: Join the VCL 2024 Now!
Every year, the iGEM Competition sees over 7500 individuals crafting more than 400 innovative projects. While many serve as promising marketable prototypes, a significant number stall after the competition. This changes with the Venture Creation Labs (VCL), where over 250 startups have already taken flight from iGEM and more than 2700 jobs have been created.
Your ideas, your iGEM projects—these could become reality through VCL. If you're uncertain about diving into entrepreneurship or unsure about kickstarting a startup, VCL might hold the answers.
Hear what participants had to say about their VCL experience:
"The VCL significantly accelerated our project across all discussed aspects. It allowed us to plan concrete actions for the coming year."
"Overall, the VCL was a beneficial experience that allowed us to gain insights and knowledge that will prove useful in our future endeavors."
"VCL helped us rethink our problem statement and help us define ourselves and how we fit into the market landscape."
"Particularly, our team found the sessions on biotechnology patenting and market estimation to be useful. We did not make major restructuring in our approach, but we improved some details that we had not covered initially."
Our three-week program is designed to empower synthetic biology enthusiasts in the realm of entrepreneurship. From building a robust foundation with the lean business model canvas to understanding intellectual property basics and pitching, we take pride in contributing to the empowerment of the next generation of bio-founders.
Join the VCL 2024 from April 2-28
Apply here - bit.ly/biofounder2024
you might wonder, how the three-week program works and what the time commitment is?
Throughout the three-week-long VCL, you should be able to distribute 5-8 hours of work per team. This time will be spent attending training sessions, panel discussions with world-leading experts, and creating meaningful materials for your startup and VCL will be held at three respective regional time zones!
More FAQs:
Do I need a Team to participate?
No, you can participate as a team or individually - we will match you with other participants with similar and complementary skills if you’re attending on your own. Many startups have found their co-founder team through our professional matchmaking process.
Do I already need to have a project idea?
It’s great if you have some ideas already! But nothing is required - just your excitement. Systematic and efficient ideation will be part of the VCL program.
What if I’m not sure if I want to continue with the project past the VCL?
You don’t need to worry - every stage of our pre-accelerator program stands on its own. We select the most dedicated teams from VCL to join the Mentorship Program from May to August - Committing to the Venture Creation Labs is an unparalleled experience for your professional development. However, you do not need to decide if you want to commit to the full-year program until you have completed the VCL.
What adds an extra layer of excitement is that our program doesn't end with VCL. After completing the program, you'll be paired with mentors tailored to your startup needs. This opens doors to meet potential VCs and investors via our fast-track program, and pitch at the world's largest synthetic biology expo—the iGEM Grand Jamboree.
InLux Biotech at iGEM Grand Jamboree - BioInnovation Fair 2023
Looking back to VCL 2023, with 38 teams on board, including iGEMers from the runner-up at iGEM 2023 Grand Jamboree, INSA-Lyon 1 2022 team, who turned their pest control system idea into a real business model. They not only completed the iGEM Startups program but are now part of the SynBee pitch competition [support them here].
“We were here last year (iGEMers - iGEM INSA-LYON1 - 2022, Fiat Lux) and we participated in the iGEM Startups program, where we learned all about being a startup in the biotech field. We were like really well accompanied with all really interesting people. We learned all about it and now we're here, we're competing in the startup showcase program.” - InLux Biotech (Watch the full video here)
Ready to turn your ideas into a thriving startup?
Join VCL now and unlock the potential of your iGEM projects or bring a completely new idea to life!
Read further about the FAQ, eligibility criteria and “game rules” of the VCL in our white paper below
