A Bioincubator is a launch-pad structure for entrepreneurs to make their project in the sciences real. In Europe, we have many incubators within each industry, responsible for strategic investment, development and providing a support network for start-ups.
Bioincubators are considered as the first ‘home’ for young biotech companies, providing entrepreneurs access to research laboratories, technology platforms, specific services in management and even networking opportunities with investors.
Being ‘incubated’, the bio-entrepreneur and their team will receive support in different ways: financial, technical and on a consultancy basis. So, for the Old Continent, what and where could be the hottest bio-incubators?
This Top 10 ranking is subject to several criteria and includes a personal comment for each.
N°1 The Babraham Bioincubator Concept
Location: Cambridge, UK
Founded: 1998
Size: 10 684 m²
Companies: 39
Facilities: 7 buildings with a technology Development Laboratory, administrative, IT and corporate services as well as access to the world-class research at the Babraham Institute.
Sectors: Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
About: During my study trip a few months ago, I went to the Biopark and visited the Institute there. I was impressed by the range of facilities and scientific equipment available. The Babraham Bioincubator has many success stories including:
N°2 BioCity
Location: Nottingham, Scotland and Alderley Park, UK
Founded: 2012
Size: 32 424 m²
Companies: 200
Facilities: Varied across 3 UK locations.
Sectors: Life sciences
About: BioCity specialises in the creation and development of life science businesses. It provides homes and access to high-end equipment, shared services, training, business support and investment for new and growing biotech businesses. They boast a 91% survival rate of companies in Nottingham, which certainly is impressive!
N°3 Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)
Location: Gent and Leuven, Belgium
Founded: 2006
Size: 16 130 m²
Companies: 22
Facilities: 12 units in Leuven and 24 units in Gent each consisting of 6 to 7 labs (for bio-safety Class 2 activities with upgrade to bio-safety Class 3 activities an option), 1 incubator room, 1 cold room, separated air purifier and drainage of water, and a wet space.
Sectors: Pharmaceutical and Agricultural.
About: VIB is an excellence-based entrepreneurial institute and works with several partners: UGent, KU Leuven, University of Antwerp and Vrije Universiteit Brussels, in part funded by the Flemish government . VIB includes a bio-accelerator in Gent as well.
N°4 BioVille
Location: Diepenbeek, Belgium
Foundation: 2012
Size: 3 600 m²
Companies: 25
Facilities: Technology units, meeting facilities and social areas
Sectors: Biotechnology
About: BioVille is a full service investor/incubator. As part of the venture capital group LRM and with the support of the Province of Limburg and Hasselt University, their mission is to offer life sciences companies and projects an environment where entrepreneurs and scientists can develop in order to accelerate their product commercialization.
N°5 Genopole
Location: Evry, France
Foundation: 1998
Size: 102 160 m²
Companies: 15
Facilities: 2 research laboratories, 21 technological platforms
Sectors: Biotherapies, Genetics, Biotechnology
About: Genopole is France’s leading biocluster for biotechnology and Genetic research. It is built upon the model of American and European campuses, which unites innovative high-tech life sciences companies, as well as private/public researchers and higher education facilities all at a single site in Evry/Corbeil-Essonnes, just south of Paris.
N°6 Oslo Cancer Cluster Incubator
Location: Oslo, Norway
Foundation: 2007
Size: 3 000 m²
Companies: 15
Facilities: Research labs, Technical rooms and social areas with 2 floors.
Sectors: Immuno-Oncology
About: As part of the Oslo Cancer Cluster Innovation Park, this Incubator supports promising oncology biotechs for commercialization by providing a creative growth environment for scientists & start-ups. A dedicated Incubator team offer the tenants of the Incubator business development services and facilitate investor contacts.
N°7 Lund Life Science Incubator (Lund LSI)
Location: Lund, Sweden
Foundation: 2007
Size: 4880 m²
Companies: 25
Facilities: Individual laboratories, Individual offices, Storage,
Core facilities and shared common areas
Sectors: Life Sciences
About: In March 2012, Lund LSI moved its operations to Medicon Village. These facilities provide the incubator an excellent base for expansion to a greater critical mass of companies that can benefit from shared competencies and access to a wide variety of advanced instrumentation. Lund LSI’s cost-effective, quality-oriented and market-focused solutions for early phase life science companies are focused on creating a greater base of successful and sustainable life science companies in the region.
N°8 Bayer HealthCare CoLaborator
Location: Berlin, Germany
Foundation: 2014
Size: 800 m²
Companies: 5
Facilities: Laboratories, Office modules and a conference room
Sectors: Life sciences
About: A new home for start-ups in life sciences with ideas related to Bayer HealthCare’s R&D strategy. Proximity to Bayer HealthCare research and the vicinity to Berlin’s science and startup community create an eco-system for innovative ideas. The site is in close to Bayer HealthCare research and is also in Berlin’s science and startup community.
N°9 Alimenta Incubator
Location: Lodi, Italy
Foundation: 2006
Size: 2 400 m²
Companies: 13
Facilities: Laboratories, offices and meeting rooms
Sectors: Agrifood, Bioeconomy and Life Sciences
About: Alimenta Incubator is also an Accelerator and are located in Parco Tecnologico Padano (PTP). Until today Alimenta has supported more than 40 innovative enterprises to start up and enter in the business market. Besides Alimenta, PTP develops business-oriented research and offers services in collaboration with its steady network of companies, universities and research centers.
N°10 BIC Granada
Location: Granada, Spain
Foundation: 2004
Size: 10 389 m²
Companies: 24
Facilities: Laboratories, Office space, meeting rooms, training-room, co-working area.
Sectors: Biotechnology and Health
About: BIC Granada is a business incubator and accelerator that specializes in biotechnology and health. The team works with the companies by adding strategic services in an environment characterized by its advanced research capacities in Biotechnology and Life Sciences.
Ta-da!
Finally, this short list shows you that Europe count a lot of great bioincubators. This means european Bio-entrepreneurs can find ideal places to start their business, from Sweden to Spain.