CAMBRIDGE, MA– The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio®) today launched the second year of its biotech accelerator, MassBioDrive, with new annual sponsor commitments and the opening of the application for the spring 2023 cohort. The Spring 2023 accelerator will run from March 27 to June 2 and conclude with a Demo Day during the week that the BIO International Convention is being held in Boston. Scientific founders and early-stage biotechs with a high potential therapeutic or platform technology that have raised less than $1 million (USD) in dilutive funding are invited to apply by Friday, January 27, 2023 at 12:00PM (noon) ET.
“One way that MassBio embraces company creation and promotes success is through our innovation programming,” said MassBio President & CEO Kendalle Burlin O’Connell. “MassBioDrive has now immersed nearly a dozen startups from around the country and beyond in the ecosystem that we have in Massachusetts and the network that MassBio has cultivated over decades, and we are excited to welcome a new cohort of early-stage entrepreneurs and academics into the accelerator.”
New in 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb has expanded its sponsorship of MassBioDrive by increasing its equity-free stipend to help advance each startup’s science following completion of the program. Additionally, a new partnership between MassBio and Google Cloud will provide each company with up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits through the Google for Startups Cloud Program, free licensing for Workspace Business Starter edition, and support with Google Ads. Google Cloud will also provide MassBioDrive companies with hands-on labs and training certifications for scientist AI/ML modeling and development. In addition to Bristol Myers Squibb and Google Cloud, MassBioDrive is supported by an ecosystem-spanning partnership that includes premier sponsor Evaluate; curriculum experts, J.P. Morgan, KPMG, Marsh McLennan, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, and Xontogeny; and in-kind partners MassChallenge and Watershed Informatics.
“After an inspiring and impactful inaugural year, we are thrilled to continue our sponsorship of MassBioDrive in 2023,” said Emma Lees, Senior Vice President, Mechanisms of Cancer Resistance Thematic Research Center for Bristol Myers Squibb in Cambridge. “There is constant innovation happening across the life sciences industry and it’s critical for us to create a collaborative environment where we can all learn from each other as we collectively work to improve patient outcomes.”
Launched in 2022, MassBioDrive’s mission is to advance breakthrough science while providing opportunities to innovators from all parts of the life sciences ecosystem. Twice a year, MassBioDrive supports a small group of emerging biotechs from around the world by connecting them to a market-focused launchpad of training, resources, and networks – at no cost and with no equity taken. Last year, MassBioDrive accelerated 11 companies, which represented five states and two non-U.S. countries.
