The Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program offers funding, professional support, connections, and networking opportunities to Arizona early-stage bioscience firms.
The 2023 program application will open on Tuesday, Sept. 6 and close on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022.
Now in its 10th year, the program provides $30,000 in non-dilutive funding support for up to six firms each year, administered through a nonprofit partner, plus a professionally developed, yearlong plan specific to the needs of the individual firms that helps them advance to commercialization and become investor-ready.
Opportunities are offered to the competitively selected firms to engage with the state’s bioscience, academic, and policy leaders, including membership for one year on Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee and in the Arizona Bioindustry Association. Firms are also invited to exclusive events with fellow bioscience entrepreneurs.
Key Dates:
September 6, 2022: Application opens
October 5, 2022: Application information session (2:30 p.m., Virtual)
November 7, 2022: Application deadline (5 p.m.)
January 19, 2023: Applicants notified of selected Finalists
February 9, 2023: Finalist interviews
February 22, 2023: Program selection notification
Learn more:
2023 Program Brochure
2023 FAQ
2023 Reviewer Rubric
Background
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 firms 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 54 Arizona bioscience firms to participate in the program through a competitive process; its nonprofit partners have provided $1.6 million in funding support to participating firms. Most recently, the 2022 program participants included three Tucson-based startups, two from Phoenix and one each from Scottsdale and Surprise.
Do you have any questions or want to learn more about the Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program? Contact Flinn Foundation Program Manager Juliet Gomez at jgomez@flinn.org or 602-369-1248.