BII is an international hub in Denmark for research-based innovation and entrepreneurship. We help people with great ideas in life science commercialize their research.

We cover the areas of therapeutics, health tech, and bioindustrials and seek projects that will benefit human health and/or planetary health.

BII embraces every phase of a life science start-up. Whether the idea of pursuing entrepreneurship has briefly crossed your mind, or you already have a full business plan for your company, there is a place for you at BII.

You can learn more about our alumni start-ups here.

BII is located in Copenhagen Science City.
Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 1st floor
DK 2200 Copenhagen N
Denmark

BII is a Novo Nordisk Foundation initiative.

Yes, we regularly host events at BII that you are welcome to join.

You can find all employees under Meet the BII team.

You can find all our open positions on our careers page. On the same page, you will also find our start-up job portal that shows open positions in our many start-ups.

Yes. Sign up here to stay up to date on everything that goes at BII, including dates for open program calls.

Yes. You can connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

On our website, see under Meet the BII team to find contact info for each team member. Reach out.

BII labs have the infrastructure and equipment for basic research and also more advanced technical equipment to suit the needs of the majority of projects. Click here to learn more about our lab facilities.

BII has a network of local and international partners with special facilities and knowledge, in case it is not available at BII. We will guide you to the right partner and set up a framework for the services.  

Yes, we have facilities for GMO Class 1 and 2. 

Yes, you can do small-scale radioactive work.  

The BII laboratories are registered with the Danish Working Environment Authority, and we can help you submit an application for your project. 

No, but we have several partners close by that can provide such services. It is possible to do work on animal tissues in BII labs. 

Yes, we have set up a mechanical shop in addition to the “wet labs”, where you can prepare e.g. a prototype of your product. We also provide 3D printers and an electronic/wood/metal shop. 

Yes, as part of the BII you will get private lab-benches in our open labs according to your needs, and you will also have access to all common lab facilities. 

No, everyone including the BII team works in the open office space, but we do have bookable meeting rooms. 

You are very welcome to take a guided tour with one of the BII team members. Get in touch with our Laboratory Manager, Bo Heinemann.

One of the company founders (or founders to be, if you have not yet established a company).

We offer feedback to applicants to those who make it past the 2nd cut but not before. Unfortunately, before this stage, we are unable to provide feedback due to the large number of applications that we receive.

Top applicants will then pitch in front of one of BII’s four Program Advisory Groups – either within therapeutics, health tech, bioindustrials, or women’s health. The Program Advisory Groups consist of VCs and experts. Finally, the group’s recommendations will form the decision of the BII Board of Directors.

The BII business development team prescreens all incoming applications and selects top applicants for further due diligence.

Top applicants will then pitch in front of one of BII’s three Program Advisory Groups – either within therapeutics, health tech or bioindustrials. The Program Advisory Groups consist of VCs and experts. Finally, the group’s recommendations will form the decision of the BII Board of Directors during the establishment phase.

BII is built around a common trust that works in the world’s most successful accelerators and incubators. In addition to this, all participants, including lecturers, mentors and experts, sign a confidentiality agreement. 

For any technical issues, please contact [email protected].

We have open calls biannually for the Venture Lab program. Visit our program page to learn more about our programs and see the application deadlines for our open calls.

Yes, you can apply again. However, we recommend contacting BII in advance to get some guidance on optimizing your application.

Applicants must own or have full access to the IPR of their discovery under market terms for early-stage start-ups. For companies under establishment, we ask that you provide a draft Term Sheet from the IP owner (e.g. university tech transfer office).

Not necessarily. But we do require a high-level dedication and priority of company activities.

Your start-up will be most successful by having a solid physical presence at BII. We require at a minimum that the company place an operational team at BII with strong engagement in the program and that the company CEO participates in monthly CEO Roundtables and Anchor meetings at BII. BII can help your start-up expand if needed.

Every quarter, BII will evaluate the teams based on their progress against milestone plans, fundraising activities, financial runway, and key project risks. Each Venture House company will get a dedicated BII anchor to support the company during the program.

The convertible loan is DKK 10 million, paid in tranches linked to scientific and commercial milestones.

Yes! However, if you are not an EU citizen, you will need a work permit if you wish to relocate to Copenhagen. Please reach out to our friends at Copenhagen Capacity to clarify your options.

The loan can be used for activities such as research, prototypes, patents, salary for staff and other costs associated with the commercialization process.

The loan includes no personal guarantees of repayment from the founders. In case of liquidation (company closure), the unrepaid balance of the loan will be converted into a grant from BII.

18 months.

Technology-wise, a prototype or lead candidate. The end goal is to support your company in raising Series A capital or a similar form of financing.

Only companies who have completed BII’s Venture Lab program are eligible to apply for Venture House.

Yes, but as a rule of thumb, only non-dilutive funding is accepted. A small investment from friends and family is fine, but professional investments and certain types of loans may exclude your company from applying. Please be aware of the BII eligibility criteria for company ownership, which can be found in the Application Guidelines.

Yes, but professional investments and certain types of loans may exclude your company from applying for the Venture House program if you wish to do so after Venture Lab. We encourage companies to seek non-dilutive funding from, e.g., Danish governmental programs or EU programs.

It is mandatory for at least one empowered representative of the start-up (founder/management) to be present at the bootcamp, monthly crunches, and Demo Day. Furthermore, the Founders must be able to participate in monthly sessions with our Leadership Coach. It is highly recommended that the full team is present for key events. In general, we recommend that you build and run your company at BII.

You are not required to have generated or filed IP but must have an idea of what could be created from your development plan. If your company will be based on already generated IP, ideally the IPR is already owned by or licensed to your company. Alternatively, we ask that you have a draft Term Sheet from the IP owner (e.g. university tech transfer office) stating willingness to enter into an exclusive license agreement on market terms.

Each company will get a dedicated BII anchor, who will follow your progress and support you through the program. You will have monthly anchor meetings as well as continuous coaching with our program content providers.

There is no specific number of companies that are accepted in each call.

No, as long as you are willing to establish a Danish company if your application is approved. If the Danish company will be a subsidiary, your current company must fulfill the eligibility criteria for companies.

Yes! However, if you are not an EU citizen, you will need a work permit if you wish to relocate to Copenhagen. Please reach out to our friends at Copenhagen Capacity to clarify your options.

Not at all. You can apply without a company but you need to establish a Danish company if you are accepted into to program.

You will be ready to execute your business plan and have the opportunity to attain follow-up funding through BII’s Venture House program or other types of funding.

The off-site bootcamp is the official kickoff for the program. The goal is to get you ready for the time at BII and to introduce you to the other teams and the program content providers.

The loan includes no personal guarantees of repayment from the founders. In case of liquidation (company closure), the unrepaid balance of the loan will be into a grant from BII.

12 months

The goal is to accelerate the scientific maturity of the innovation in order to attract further funding, develop a solid business plan and entrepreneurial skills for your team.

BII provides a founder-friendly convertible loan of DKK 4M. See the loan terms in the Applicant Guidelines.

Companies within the fields of women’s health, therapeutics, bioindustrials, and health tech. The companies must have strong commercial aspirations and novel ideas that can benefit human health and/or planetary health.

Besides the other program participants, you will collaborate with world-class coaches, the BII staff, experienced entrepreneurs and subject matter experts.

It is not a requirement to have existing IP to apply for Bio Studio. If there is existing IP relating to the project (background IP), this must be licensable to the future spin-out company on market terms. Any IP generated during Bio Studio remains the property of the host institution but must also be licensable to the spin-out company. BII’s IP specialist can assist in devising and advising on IP strategy while in the Bio Studio program.      

No, it is not a requirement that you are a Danish researcher. The PI does not relocate and will stay at the home institution. BII will assist with relocating existing team members and hiring new team members from abroad to undertake the Bio Studio project based in Copenhagen. It is an advantage – but not a requirement – if you have a key researcher who can relocate to Denmark for technology transfer.

Funded projects will be incubated at BII’s state-of-the-art facilities in central Copenhagen. PIs themselves are not expected to relocate to BII and will remain at their host institution. Any IP generated during the Bio Studio project will remain with the PI’s host institution or with the inventors depending on appropriate legislation.

In-kind grant of up to DKK 7,86M (EUR 1M) per year.

Bio Studio focuses on translating world-class research into a company within three years by establishing a satellite group at BII that will form the basis of the future spin-out company. For the Venture Lab program, applicants must reach critical inflection points within team development, research maturation, and business model development that can lead to additional financing within one year.

The goal of each Bio Studio project is to create a viable startup by the end of the program that can raise seed or Series A financing.

As part of the Bio Studio program, you will receive help with scientific maturation, development of IP, entrepreneurial training, extensive in-kind partner services and preparation for fundraising.

Bio Studio supports ambitious translational projects that address major challenges with substantial societal and health impact and target a significant current or future market need. You can read more about the supported areas on our Bio Studio page.

Established PIs with at least three years of experience in leading an independent research group from across the world with a strong academic track record and demonstrated experience in translating research and/or commercialization.

The project teams will reside in Copenhagen. Year one will be a transitional year for establishing the team and facilities. When the first year ends, the majority of operations and the team will reside at BII in Copenhagen.