August 2016 saw the kick off of Bio-start, an annual competition designed to accelerate UK companies aiming to solve significant global problems through synthetic biology, created by SynbiCITEand Rainbow Seed Fund.

31 teams applied to take part, and following a 10-week accelerator programme 10 semi-finalists were chosen for the final competition. The final judging of these teams, and the selection of a winner, will take place on 11^th July at the Imperial College London Business School by a panel of judges chaired by Sir Richard Sykes.

The prizes available to the 5 finalists include:

• First place: £100k cash prize and ~£100k cash equivalent including 6 months’ free use of laboratory space at any of the sponsoring incubator.
• Second place: £15k cash from Rainbow Seed Fund and space in any of the sponsoring incubators for six months.
• Special prizes:
  • IP fees from Imperial Innovations for best idea from an Imperial College based team.
  • 6-months free lab space from UnitDX Science Incubator for the best Bristol based team in the competition.

The Bio-start Awards 2017 will be an opportunity to engage with some of the top synthetic biology start-ups in UK and hear their company pitches, meet and mix with the Bio-start sponsors, and pick-up some tips for your business from the Bio-start mentors.

Tickets for this event are on offer now, and spaces are limited. To register your place for free, visit the Bio-start Awards 2017 sign up on Eventbrite.

For more information visit the Bio-start website or contact info@bio-start.uk.