Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SYNBEE (SYNBEE: EXPANDING SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS)
Reporting period: 2023-01-15 to 2025-01-14
SYNBEE: Advancing Synthetic Biology Entrepreneurship in Europe
While European startups are growing, this expansion is uneven across countries and disciplines. Despite Europe’s leadership in SynBio research, commercialization lags behind the U.S. SynBio, a $4 trillion bioeconomy driver, is set to transform industries from healthcare to food production, with a projected market growth from $5.3B in 2019 to $18.9B by 2024 (CAGR 28.8%).
However, without strategic action, Europe risks falling behind. A clear vision for industry-relevant skills, stronger startup support, and better academia-industry links are needed. Existing hubs (e.g. VTT, TWB, Yes!Delft, BII) should be expanded to foster trans-sector mobility and entrepreneurship.
SYNBEE aims to equip young professionals in emerging innovation ecosystems with entrepreneurial and business acceleration skills. The program enhances employability, facilitates employer-expert matching, and prepares entrepreneurs to launch, scale, and internationalize their SynBio ventures, driving Europe’s competitive edge.
While European startups are growing, this expansion is uneven across countries and disciplines. Despite Europe’s leadership in SynBio research, commercialization lags behind the U.S. SynBio, a $4 trillion bioeconomy driver, is set to transform industries from healthcare to food production, with a projected market growth from $5.3B in 2019 to $18.9B by 2024 (CAGR 28.8%).
However, without strategic action, Europe risks falling behind. A clear vision for industry-relevant skills, stronger startup support, and better academia-industry links are needed. Existing hubs (e.g. VTT, TWB, Yes!Delft, BII) should be expanded to foster trans-sector mobility and entrepreneurship.
SYNBEE aims to equip young professionals in emerging innovation ecosystems with entrepreneurial and business acceleration skills. The program enhances employability, facilitates employer-expert matching, and prepares entrepreneurs to launch, scale, and internationalize their SynBio ventures, driving Europe’s competitive edge.
All planned SYNBEE activities were successfully implemented. The consortium conducted research, producing a SWOT analysis of synthetic biology in Europe, a best-practices matrix, and an entrepreneurial education roadmap. A central knowledge base was launched on the project website, offering key resources for students, researchers, and biohackers.
SYNBEE identified 50 students and researchers interested in entrepreneurship, enrolling them in two programs: one supporting start-up creation with mentoring and funding, and another providing general entrepreneurial training.
Workshops in spring 2024 connected the community with experts in SynBio markets, IP, branding, regulation, funding, and gender bias. Participants engaged with start-up founders, serial entrepreneurs, and tech transfer specialists. A self-employment session highlighted opportunities and challenges.
A database of 400+ non-dilutive funding sources was compiled and updated regularly. A training session introduced public funding opportunities, application processes, and proposal tips. Direct outreach encouraged participation, and an analysis examined public funding's impact on private investment.
Two pitch competitions were held: the SYNBEE Pitch Competition (June 2023–April 2024) trained 10 finalists and awarded baCta, Syngens, and BioHalo. Another took place at StartMeUp (Toulouse, Jan–Feb 2024), providing exposure to 250+ investors and industry leaders.
Two hackathons were organized: one (Riga Technical University, Sep 2023) focused on biotech solutions for SDGs, awarding "Refuel" and "Super Salli." The second (Read-Write-Grow, Nov 2024) featured expert lectures, networking, and pitching, with winners ZOMBIO, Endostix, and NitroDuck.
Over 20 mentors assisted 16 start-ups, offering case-by-case guidance across SYNBEE programs. A European synthetic biology stakeholder database was created, with synergy discussions leading to EUSynBioS joining SYNBEE as an associate partner. A stakeholder map was published online.
A list of 120+ investors was compiled for matchmaking with start-ups, occurring at events and on a rolling basis.
The flagship EIC x SYNBEE Day (April 2024, Brussels) gathered 70 attendees for panel discussions on start-up creation, regulation, and funding. The event, co-organized by Da Vinci Labs and EIC/EISMEA, provided networking opportunities, keynote talks, and hosted the SYNBEE Pitch Competition finals.
Post-event stakeholder interviews led to a White Paper on entrepreneurial education and policy recommendations. Efforts to sustain SYNBEE beyond EU funding explored monetization strategies for events, training, mentoring, and databases.
SYNBEE identified 50 students and researchers interested in entrepreneurship, enrolling them in two programs: one supporting start-up creation with mentoring and funding, and another providing general entrepreneurial training.
Workshops in spring 2024 connected the community with experts in SynBio markets, IP, branding, regulation, funding, and gender bias. Participants engaged with start-up founders, serial entrepreneurs, and tech transfer specialists. A self-employment session highlighted opportunities and challenges.
A database of 400+ non-dilutive funding sources was compiled and updated regularly. A training session introduced public funding opportunities, application processes, and proposal tips. Direct outreach encouraged participation, and an analysis examined public funding's impact on private investment.
Two pitch competitions were held: the SYNBEE Pitch Competition (June 2023–April 2024) trained 10 finalists and awarded baCta, Syngens, and BioHalo. Another took place at StartMeUp (Toulouse, Jan–Feb 2024), providing exposure to 250+ investors and industry leaders.
Two hackathons were organized: one (Riga Technical University, Sep 2023) focused on biotech solutions for SDGs, awarding "Refuel" and "Super Salli." The second (Read-Write-Grow, Nov 2024) featured expert lectures, networking, and pitching, with winners ZOMBIO, Endostix, and NitroDuck.
Over 20 mentors assisted 16 start-ups, offering case-by-case guidance across SYNBEE programs. A European synthetic biology stakeholder database was created, with synergy discussions leading to EUSynBioS joining SYNBEE as an associate partner. A stakeholder map was published online.
A list of 120+ investors was compiled for matchmaking with start-ups, occurring at events and on a rolling basis.
The flagship EIC x SYNBEE Day (April 2024, Brussels) gathered 70 attendees for panel discussions on start-up creation, regulation, and funding. The event, co-organized by Da Vinci Labs and EIC/EISMEA, provided networking opportunities, keynote talks, and hosted the SYNBEE Pitch Competition finals.
Post-event stakeholder interviews led to a White Paper on entrepreneurial education and policy recommendations. Efforts to sustain SYNBEE beyond EU funding explored monetization strategies for events, training, mentoring, and databases.
Bringing synthetic biology innovations to market is challenging due to funding gaps, complex regulations, and a fragmented ecosystem. SYNBEE aimed to bridge these gaps by exposing students and researchers to industry and investors through training, mentoring, pitch competitions, hackathons, and matchmaking.
Entrepreneurial education was a key focus, with a pilot training program co-developed with industry. The goal is to integrate such training broadly across faculties in synthetic biology, deeptech, and related fields.
SYNBEE actively promoted female participation, achieving 33–46% representation across activities and ensuring gender balance in competition juries.
To support scale-up and internationalization, SYNBEE provided guidance on accessing funding across geographies and overcoming growth challenges. Tools like stakeholder mapping and matchmaking mechanisms improved innovation flows and business visibility.
Panel discussions fostered public-private dialogue on regulatory hurdles, funding access, and start-up creation, engaging policymakers to advance the field.
Beyond competitions and hackathons, SYNBEE personalized support for emerging start-ups through business model coaching, mentoring, fundraising guidance, and investor connections.
The community’s response confirms the need for continued support to bring synthetic biology solutions to market. Policymakers should enhance funding to help this strategic field evolve into a strong industry.
Entrepreneurial education was a key focus, with a pilot training program co-developed with industry. The goal is to integrate such training broadly across faculties in synthetic biology, deeptech, and related fields.
SYNBEE actively promoted female participation, achieving 33–46% representation across activities and ensuring gender balance in competition juries.
To support scale-up and internationalization, SYNBEE provided guidance on accessing funding across geographies and overcoming growth challenges. Tools like stakeholder mapping and matchmaking mechanisms improved innovation flows and business visibility.
Panel discussions fostered public-private dialogue on regulatory hurdles, funding access, and start-up creation, engaging policymakers to advance the field.
Beyond competitions and hackathons, SYNBEE personalized support for emerging start-ups through business model coaching, mentoring, fundraising guidance, and investor connections.
The community’s response confirms the need for continued support to bring synthetic biology solutions to market. Policymakers should enhance funding to help this strategic field evolve into a strong industry.