Five SYNBEE activities for the SynBio community
An update on SYNBEE’s current and upcoming actions, in which the SynBio community can participate to develop its entrepreneurial and business skills and shape the future of synthetic biology
Synthetic Biology (SynBio) and its applications promise new approaches to transforming industries and meeting the global challenges facing our societies.
To give this field a boost, the new European SYNBEE consortium is supporting young professionals working across Europe in the field of synthetic biology, by strengthening their entrepreneurial and commercial skills. Coordinated by investment company eureKARE, SYNBEE brings together leading business, research, and academic institutions, including SynCellEU with Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
We caught up with Alexandra Chukas, head of non-dilutive financing at eureKARE and SYNBEE coordinator. She gave us an update on SYNBEE’s current and upcoming actions, in which the SynBio community can participate to develop its entrepreneurial and business skills and shape the future of synthetic biology.
1# Your voice matters
The consortium is currently conducting a survey and in-depth interviews to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the European synthetic biology community. By sharing their ideas and opinions, participants will play a key role in the growth and development of Synthetic Biology, and help to accelerate the pace of innovation in this important field.
Alexandra invites all those who have received an invitation to complete the survey now. “We value the feedback and expertise of the SynBio community. Every voice matters,” she said.
“Now is the time to share your comments, ideas, and opinions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, even if you don’t belong to the SynBio community, to discuss and brainstorm any ideas together.”
2# The eurekAWARDS 2023
EureKARE, in collaboration with SYNBEE, is organizing the second edition of the eurekAWARDS, a pitch contest open to researchers or entrepreneurs with a strong drive to turn their disruptive project idea into an innovative product.
“With this contest, we want to raise the profile of cutting-edge research in Europe and help innovative ideas to scale up. All participants will benefit from this experience, as projects will be examined in depth by our experts, who will provide participants with feedback on the potential of their ideas. So it’s a win-win in every way.
“The ten selected candidates will be offered expert advice, in-kind start-up assistance, and potential funding.”
Would you like to take part in the contest? Participants have until October 6 to submit their project. Apply now!
More information on eurekAWARDS 2023
3# Synbee.eu all the information you need in one place
The consortium has spent time gathering all relevant information and training on synthetic biology and entrepreneurship. In a few weeks’ time, this content will be made available to the SynBio community on the SYNBEE website.
And for more information on SYNBEE’s activities, follow the consortium on Twitter.
4# and 5# Two more opportunities to take your entrepreneurial project to the next level
SYNBEE will be launching two streams of activities to help researchers realize their entrepreneurial ambitions.
“The first stream is aimed at those who already have a project in mind, who may already have a team in place, and who need advice to take the next steps. We propose to provide them with knowledge of the state of the market, strategic advice, and to connect them with experts in our network if they wish to expand their team.
“The second stream offers training courses for researchers interested in a career in industry or wishing to obtain information on setting up a business.”
Further information on both streams will soon be available on the SYNBEE website.
And if you don’t want to miss any SYNBEE updates, follow the consortium on Twitter.
More information
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References
- Brooks, S.M., Alper, H.S. Applications, challenges, and needs for employing synthetic biology beyond the lab. Nat Commun 12, 1390 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21740-0
- Global Future Council on the Future of Synthetic Biology – World Economic Forum
The European SYNBEE consortium is funded by the European Union:
