Biotech incubator OneBio opens applications to SA, Zim startups

Cape Town based biotech incubator OneBio has opened applications for its six-month incubation programme to South African and Zimbabwean startups.

OneBio is an initiative of the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) in collaboration with the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR).

The programme, which is also being run in partnership with Zimbabwean innovation hub TechVillage, is funded by the Finnish government through the Southern African Innovation Support Initiative (SAIS).

Applications for the programme will close at midnight on 10 March, while shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview by 15 March.

OneBio’s six month incubation programme is valued at over R350 000

OneBio’s incubation programme is aimed at biotech startups that are either late in the research cycle or early in the product cycle. The incubator is looking for startups working on solutions in areas that include consumer biology, future food and agriculture, bio-materials, industrial biology, biological tools, animal health, therapeutics and regenerative medicines.

In addition, startups with solutions that arise out of the convergence of laboratory work and computational science are also encouraged to apply.

Valued at R350 000

OneBi claims says the support offered is valued at over R350 000. Those startups selected will not be required to give up equity to participate in it. In addition, OneBio will cover the costs of travel and accommodation for startups coming from outside of Cape Town.

The programme will be delivered via virtual workshops, tailored online content, expert coaching sessions as well as through three in-person bootcamps in Cape Town.

Startups selected to participate in the programme will benefit from access to lab facilities, co-working space in both Cape Town and Bulawayo, as well as access to potential partners and investors.

The programme will kick off with an immersion bootcamp taking place in Cape Town between 13 and 17 May where programme participants will learn about company building.

Thereafter, between 20 May and 28 June, each week, one virtual workshop will be streamed to participants. Between 1 and 5 July the selected startups will undergo an acceleration bootcamp in Cape Town. This will then be followed by another series of weekly virtual workshops between 8 July and 23 August.

From 26 to 30 August, programme participants will attend a funding and pitching bootcamp in Cape Town. The programme will culminate in a demo day where the entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch to local investors.

Read more: CiTi, CPGR sign agreement to launch OneBio incubator in Cape Town

Featured image:Joe Kelly via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)