Mar 7, 2025
Bridging the gap in academic entrepreneurship.
BioInnovation Greece successfully hosted on March 6th, 2025 a one-day strategy meeting at the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, bringing together key stakeholders from academia, industry, investment, and government to discuss actionable steps for advancing biotechnology innovation in Greece.
A Focus on Early-Stage Biotech Funding
The meeting centered on the critical gap in funding and support for early-stage biotech startups and proof-of-concept projects, aiming to develop effective mechanisms to move groundbreaking research from the lab to the market. Participants explored models for pre-seed funding, discussed best practices in public-private investment, and examined the role of accelerators, incubators, and philanthropic contributions in de-risking early biotech ventures.
The BioSTART Program: A Key Driver for Change
A significant part of the discussion focused on BioSTART, a structured program designed to:
Identify and support high-potential biotech innovations emerging from Greek universities and research centers
Provide pre-seed funding through the BioSTART Fellowship, enabling researchers to transition from proof-of-concept to viable startups
Bridge academia, industry, and investment, fostering collaboration to accelerate biotech commercialization
Learning from International Models
Speakers and participants examined successful international initiatives that have effectively bridged research and commercialization in biotech. Case studies from leading biotech ecosystems demonstrated how structured funding frameworks and university-driven entrepreneurship programs can drive economic growth and establish sustainable innovation ecosystems.
The Path Forward
The meeting reinforced the need for a cohesive national strategy for biotech, emphasizing:
Targeted investment in life sciences research and infrastructure
Specialized biotech technology transfer offices to support commercialization
Long-term funding policies that foster entrepreneurship
As Greece continues to develop its biotech and life sciences sector, BioInnovation Greece remains committed to fostering an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs, de-risks innovation, and attracts investment. The discussions from this meeting set the stage for concrete actions that will help position Greece as a regional leader in biotechnology.
For more updates on BioSTART and upcoming initiatives, stay tuned to BioInnovation Greece.
Photos from the event:
