European Commission supports biotech training for start-ups
9 February 1999 - 9 February 1999
To provide scientists with some of the skills and tools needed to prepare a venture in biotechnology and to talk to sources of finance, the European Commission's Biotechnology programme is supporting the Biobiz initiative.
This series of seven workshops held across Europe should enable entrepreneurs to prepare a viable business plan. The first two courses will be held in Milan, Italy (between 9 and 11 February 1999) and Uppsala, Sweden (between 23 and 25 February 1999). The others will be held on dates yet to be announced in the autumn in: Amersham, UK; Saclay, France; Heidelberg, Germany; Roosendaal, the Netherlands; and, Barcelona, Spain.
This initiative is in line with EC policy to raise industrial competitiveness through its support to RTD. Training researchers in an area of recognised deficiency will facilitate new business creation and improve chances of success, thus promoting growth and job-creation.
For the organiser, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, the aim is to encourage the development of the small and medium-sized biotech companies, as these constitute the fastest-growing section of the market for research products.
Scientists seeking to exploit their discoveries, by setting up new biotechnology companies, face a difficult choice - spend time learning about how to run a business on a lengthy, full-time course, such as an MBA, or take the risk and plunge in at the deep end, taking advice from consultants. Biobiz provides another option - a special three-day training workshop, including a hands-on approach with a dedicated software package. It enables scientists to understand the business planning required for starting up a company and forces them to consider all aspects of such a venture.
"Biobiz has been developed to meet the specific business planning needs of biotechnology entrepreneurs", said Amersham Pharmacia Biotech program manager Michel Lepers. "The idea behind the Biobiz initiative is to provide scientists with the skills needed to be able to put together business plans, which will enable them to attract real interest from venture capitalists."
The Biobiz workshops have been specifically designed for (potential) entrepreneurs in the biotech sector. Applicants should be researchers with a well-formed start-up project. Workshops have been arranged in several countries. The European Commission's Biotechnology programme will provide a subsidy of 1000 euro for citizens of Member States wishing to attend a Biobiz training course, the cost of which is 2200 euro. Individuals from less favoured regions of Europe may be entitled to have the amount met in full.
Applicants should have at least a basic understanding of what is involved in starting and running a business. For the course, a working knowledge of Excel is expected. Candidates will be selected preferentially on the basis of their plans for a start-up.
For further information, please contact:
Michel Lepers
Biobiz
45 bis rue de l'Avenir
F-78320 Lévis Saint nom
France
Tel. +33139-388044; Fax +33139-388045
E-mail: michel_lepers@Compuserve.com
This series of seven workshops held across Europe should enable entrepreneurs to prepare a viable business plan. The first two courses will be held in Milan, Italy (between 9 and 11 February 1999) and Uppsala, Sweden (between 23 and 25 February 1999). The others will be held on dates yet to be announced in the autumn in: Amersham, UK; Saclay, France; Heidelberg, Germany; Roosendaal, the Netherlands; and, Barcelona, Spain.
This initiative is in line with EC policy to raise industrial competitiveness through its support to RTD. Training researchers in an area of recognised deficiency will facilitate new business creation and improve chances of success, thus promoting growth and job-creation.
For the organiser, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, the aim is to encourage the development of the small and medium-sized biotech companies, as these constitute the fastest-growing section of the market for research products.
Scientists seeking to exploit their discoveries, by setting up new biotechnology companies, face a difficult choice - spend time learning about how to run a business on a lengthy, full-time course, such as an MBA, or take the risk and plunge in at the deep end, taking advice from consultants. Biobiz provides another option - a special three-day training workshop, including a hands-on approach with a dedicated software package. It enables scientists to understand the business planning required for starting up a company and forces them to consider all aspects of such a venture.
"Biobiz has been developed to meet the specific business planning needs of biotechnology entrepreneurs", said Amersham Pharmacia Biotech program manager Michel Lepers. "The idea behind the Biobiz initiative is to provide scientists with the skills needed to be able to put together business plans, which will enable them to attract real interest from venture capitalists."
The Biobiz workshops have been specifically designed for (potential) entrepreneurs in the biotech sector. Applicants should be researchers with a well-formed start-up project. Workshops have been arranged in several countries. The European Commission's Biotechnology programme will provide a subsidy of 1000 euro for citizens of Member States wishing to attend a Biobiz training course, the cost of which is 2200 euro. Individuals from less favoured regions of Europe may be entitled to have the amount met in full.
Applicants should have at least a basic understanding of what is involved in starting and running a business. For the course, a working knowledge of Excel is expected. Candidates will be selected preferentially on the basis of their plans for a start-up.
For further information, please contact:
Michel Lepers
Biobiz
45 bis rue de l'Avenir
F-78320 Lévis Saint nom
France
Tel. +33139-388044; Fax +33139-388045
E-mail: michel_lepers@Compuserve.com