Applications for the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program Open

The Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program application is open November 4, 2024 to December 16, 2024.  This year, the program is piloting a new format as we await an update of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap that will extend beyond 2025. 

Each year, the Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program offers funding, professional support, connections, and networking opportunities to Arizona early-stage bioscience companies. 

This year, the program is piloting a new format as we await an update of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap that will extend beyond 2025.  

Up to two startups will receive non-dilutive funding support. These two companies will work alongside appointed business-advisor consultant(s) to advance commercialization and become investor-ready. Each will receive up to $100,000 in project costs, professional development, and consulting services with funding administered through the Arizona Bioindustry Association. 

All 10 finalist companies will be offered exclusive opportunities to engage with the state’s bioscience, academic, and policy leaders, including one-year memberships toArizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee. Company leaders will also be invited to convenings with fellow bioscience entrepreneurs. All finalists can elect to work with the Flinn Foundation to leverage the benefits of our network and advisors to advance their companies’ progress over the 12-month period. 

Past Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program participants and Flinn Foundation Seed Grants to Promote Translational Research Program awardees are eligible to apply.  

The submission deadline for the 2025 Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program is Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. 

Key Dates 
Nov. 4, 2024: Application opens
Nov. 7: Info table at Venture Café Phoenix (4:30-7 p.m.) 
Nov. 11, 2024: Virtual Info Session (11 a.m.-noon)
Nov. 18, 2024: Virtual Group Office Hours (1-2 p.m.)
Dec. 2–4, 2024: Virtual 1:1 Office Hours, by appointment 
Dec. 5, 2024: Live Biopreneur Storytellers Event at Venture Café Phoenix 
Dec. 16, 2024: Application deadline (5 p.m.) 
Jan. 24, 2025: Finalists notified 
Early February 2025: In-person finalist pitches 
Late February 2025: Selected companies notified 

In 2002, the Flinn Foundation unveiled Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, the long-term strategic plan to advance Arizona’s bioscience sector. One of the four strategies of the Roadmap is to create a critical mass of bioscience companies in Arizona. In 2014, the Roadmap was updated, with the first goal being to “Form a hub of bioscience entrepreneurs and new enterprises across Arizona.”

To help address this need, the Flinn Foundation launched the Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program to foster entrepreneurship and help bioscience founders develop their early-stage companies into successful and sustainable businesses in Arizona.

Since 2014, the Flinn Foundation has selected 66 Arizona bioscience companies to participate in the program through a competitive process. The 11 program cohorts have received nearly $2 million in funding support through the foundation’s nonprofit partners.

Questions

If you have any questions about the program or application process, please contact Joanna Yang Yowler, Ph.D., Flinn Foundation Program Manager, Translational Biosciences and Entrepreneurship. 

Learn more:
Application requirements and program eligibility
Meet the program participants from 2014 to today

 

SOURCE: https://www.flinn.org/bioscience/bioscience-grantmaking/entrepreneurship-program/

Posted in AZBio News.