Project description
Boosting entrepreneurship and networking in synthetic biology
Imagine a world where the natural abilities of living things can be enhanced, improved and modified to address some of our biggest challenges. This is now possible by using techniques from engineering and computer science and applying them to biology. Synthetic biology will introduce completely new processes and products for industry, healthcare, environmental protection and food production. However, European science remains largely underexploited commercially. There is a need for a clearer vision on the necessary skills required by the industry. With this in mind, the EU-funded SYNBEE project will create a matrix of best practices, develop synthetic biology-specific entrepreneurial training and design networking and matchmaking activities, as well as hackathons and pitch contests.
Objective
Synthetic biology is a disruptive technology that enables completely new processes and products for industry, medical applications and food production, it makes the processes and products cheaper and more sustainable. SynBio will renew and challenge many major industries. The estimated overall market to be affected by SynBio exceeds $13 trillion. The global SynBio market is expected to grow from $5.3 billion in 2019 to $18.9 billion by 2024 with a CAGR of 28.8%. Leading European research organizations have a proven scientific record of excellence in the field. However, European science remains largely under-exploited commercially. One impact factor is difficulty to quickly consolidate transdisciplinary teams. Indeed, there is a need for clearer vision on the necessary current and future skills, required by the industry. SynBio is a relatively young discipline, made up of multiple sub-divisions, thus searching for a right profile (KOL, researcher, intern) is time-consuming for industrial companies, and can be even longer for startups. While the boom of accelerators and incubators and entrepreneurial training have driven start-up creation, the lack of specific thematic approaches can hinder the creation and/or maturation of SynBio start-ups. The SYNBEE project will address these challenges by:
(i) SWOT analysis, matrix of best practices, mapping of academic profiles and industry in SynBio.
(ii) General and SynBio-specific entrepreneurial training in close interaction with the industry.
(iii) Networking, matchmaking between candidates and hosting and mentoring industrial partners, hackathons, pitch contests.
(iv) Creation of a path from talented student to startup creation and investor workshops.
(v) Policy making and mentoring between ecosystems.
(vi) Specific focus will be brought to women in SynBio.
SYNBEE will be implemented by key SynBio academia, industry, accelerators, investors from 25 EU countries, including 7 emerging and 6 moderate ecosystems.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
75008 Paris
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.