The 2024 NC BIOTECH Venture Challenge Has Arrived

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center Southeastern Office has launched this life-sciences-based, innovation-focused venture challenge for Southeastern North Carolina to raise the profile, increase the volume, and enhance the success of regional life science innovation, commercialization, entrepreneurs, and companies.

Benefits The NC BIOTECH Venture Challenge benefits for the selected finalists include the following:

A 2-month period of intense mentoring assistance and networking opportunities.Public and private networking and educational events to enhance our connected networks of entrepreneurs, investors, and others in the region and beyond, especially as they relate to biotech innovation and commercialization.Targeted assistance from the NC Biotechnology Center Life Science Intelligence team–e.g., industry and market research.A pitch challenge at the end of the assistance process, which will yield significant monetary awards, in addition to the invaluable mentoring and networking each venture will experience during the assistance phase.Monetary AwardsTotaling $40,000: Top Award, $20,000; Second and Third Awards, $10,000each. (Total $200,000across North Carolina)UNCW CIE Tenancy: For the venture winning the top award, UNC Wilmington will offer a one year co-working tenancy at the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This benefit includes 24-hour card-key access for two members of the winning team to use the co-working space, meeting rooms, equipment, mail services, and media team (additional per-project costs may apply).Promotion in the region and beyond of our impressive community of biotech innovators, entrepreneurs, and ventures.

Statewide Challenge: The winner from each of the 5 regional challenges will continue to the statewide challenge for additional mentoring assistance, NC Biotechnology Center Life Science Intelligence team support, promotion, public appearances, and monetary awards. Monetary Awards of $100,000 for statewide winners, in addition to the $200,000 for regional finalists, for an NC BIOTECH Venture Challenge total of $300,000 in non-dilutive funding for 15 North Carolina ventures Eligibility To be considered for the NC BIOTECH Venture Challenge, applicants must meet the following criteria:Physical presence in one of the following Southeastern NC counties: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Hoke, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland.Life Sciences/Biotech-related business ventures, including ventures that support life sciences and biotech through equipment, technology platforms, and software applications. For example, ventures may be related to a broad range of biotech-related innovations and applications including in agriculture, bioenergy, health, advanced materials, industrial biotech, technology, or marine biotech.

Application Period February 1 – February 29, 2024 5:00 pm EST