Newsletter editorial, January 2021

By 2021, BII became an independent foundation. Although BioInnovation Institute will continue to operate as a non-profit foundation running an incubator for life science start-up companies, we have settled on a new program structure consisting of three programs: BII Faculty, Venture Lab and Creation House.

For more than two years, we have been highly active in supporting life science start-ups with funding opportunities that were otherwise missing in the ecosystem. We have helped accelerate and grow viable start-ups through convertible loans, business development support, access to state-of-the-art laboratories and our global networks.

Our efforts have proven successful. So far, BII’s portfolio start-ups have raised more than DKK 300M in financing either as soft-funding or as investments, to continue their journey for the benefit of people and society.

While the Novo Nordisk Foundation will continue to support innovation at universities and hospitals, BII has decided to focus on the next phases of life science entrepreneurship. Very early-stage start-ups with interesting technology, but an unclear path to the market can get help to develop their science, team and business case in our Venture Lab program. In our Creation House program, start-ups with validated technology, well-defined IP and a clear path to market can build an attractive case for series A investors. And through our Faculty program, we can assist researchers in building companies in strategically important areas that address some of the societal grand challenges.

We are confident that with this excellent mix of instruments, we will be able to reach our ambitious goals of establishing Copenhagen as one of the leading centers for bio-entrepreneurship in Europe.

Want to join us? Apply for our two open calls.

Best Regards
Jens Nielsen
CEO, BioInnovation Institute

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