Application process for Venture Leaders Biotech 2024 is now open

Every year, ten tech startups are chosen to join the Swiss National Startup Team as Venture Leaders and represent Swiss startup excellence on the international stage. As participants in a roadshow in Boston, the entrepreneurs have the opportunity to boost the growth of their ventures and profit from meetings with investors and industry experts. Applications are open until February 26, 2024.

The Venture Leaders Biotech program offers entrepreneurs a way to accelerate the growth curve of their startups by taking them to one of the most significant hubs of technological innovation in the life sciences: Boston.

The program, which is free of charge, is a unique opportunity for top Swiss-based biotech startups to assert their presence on the international stage while expanding their U.S. network. For one week in May, the Venture Leaders will have the opportunity to meet with investors and profit from the experience and insights of industry experts, VCs, and peers.

Alumni of the program include Covagen (acquired by Johnson&Johnson), Redbiotec (partly acquired by Pfizer), KB Medical (acquired by Globus Medical), SimplicityBio (acquired by Precision for Medicine), AMAL Therapeutics (acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim) and Interax Biotech (Seed round with US investors met during the roadshow).

Eligible participants include the founding and managing members of biotech-based Swiss startups, who are poised to expand their businesses in the US with the support of international investors, all while actively contributing to the development of a global biotech startup ecosystem.

Learn more about the Venture Leaders Biotech 2024 program and apply by February 26, 2024!
 

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LOOKING BACK: VENTURE LEADERS BIOTECH 2023

Last year's team traveled to Boston in June, where the participants took part in workshops that helped with fine-tuning their pitches for the US market and that outlined the current VC dynamics in biotech. They also had an opportunity to network at various events, like the reception hosted by Swissnex and the Swiss Consulate, and to pitch to investors and VCs.

The Pitchfest Cruise, which brought together over 100 biotech investors, business partners, and startups, was a particularly interesting event, as Swiss startups competed with US startups. "It is a well-thought and well-organized program that provides intensive training in pitching to US investors," said Bilal Fares, CEO of ND Biosciences and Venture Leader Biotech 2023.

"An immersive experience in the biotech venture in the US, Venture Leaders Biotech gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from fellow entrepreneurs as well as explore future opportunities in the US market," added Zoe Johnson, CEO of Affivant.

APPLY NOW and win your place in the Swiss National Startup Team 2024!

Venture Leaders Biotech is organized by Venturelab in partnership with Swissnex Boston and supported by Debiopharm, EPFL, ETH Zurich, EY - Ernst & Young, Hansjörg Wyss, Kellerhals Carrard, Novartis, Swiss Biotech Association, and VISCHER.