Science4Life is a German initiative to support founders of start-up companies in the field of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Energy. Main sponsors of Science4Life are the Government of the State of Hesse and the global healthcare leader Sanofi. For 26 years, the mission of Science4Life has been to bring new ideas to entrepreneurial success.
Activities of Science4Life are centered around the Science4Life business plan competition. Established in 1998, the Science4Life Venture Cup for start-ups from the areas of life sciences and chemistry is awarded annually and has been an important tool for helping young entrepreneurs to get their business started. In addition, start-ups with a business idea in the field of energy have the chance to win the dedicated Science4Life Energy Cup.
More than 300 expert advisers from over 200 institutions are supporting the initiative by acting as coaches, peer reviewers or general experts for the start-up businesses. The spectrum of these network partners covers all areas being essential for entrepreneurs to establish their new company. This includes lawyers, consultants and managing directors of biotech companies, as well as renowned researchers from academia and industry. The exchange of information with these experienced professionals helps to highlight and address potential problems already at an early stage. Moreover, the early interaction is beneficial for both – future entrepreneurs get easy access to economic, scientific and legal information and Science4Life network partners get to know people on the cutting edge of science and can experience the newest trends in the field.
Key facts:
- Students, postgraduates and scientific assistants, as well as employees and young entrepreneurs in the branches of Life Sciences, Chemistry and Energy are invited to participate
- The competition consists of three phases: idea phase (Phase 1), concept phase (Phase 2), and business plan phase (Phase 3)
- Main sponsors are the federal state government of Hesse and Sanofi
- The competition is supported by more than 300 experts on a pro-bono basis
- Participation in the competition and consultation is free of charge
Phase 1: Your Idea
In this first stage of the competition, you submit a short (~ 3 pages), concise description of your idea and your potential customers. Your ideas will be reviewed by scientists, lawyers, investors and industry experts and you will receive several written feedbacks from different reviewers.
Closing Date 14. October 2024
Academy-Day
22. November 2024
Idea Ceremony
22. November 2024
Reward
Science4Life Venture Cup
10 x Participation in Academy-Day (1 day)
5x 500 €
Closing Date 14. October 2024
Academy-Day
22. November 2024
Idea Ceremony
22. November 2024
Reward
Science4Life Energy Cup
5 x Participation in Academy-Day (1 day)
3x 500 €
Phase 2: Your Business Concept
Aim of this phase is to generate a brief, concise description of your future business. This includes your company’s representation and a forecasting market evaluation. A convincing executive summary is the key part of the business concept. Again, you will receive written feedback from different reviewers. Winners are invited for our two-day workshop.
Your business concept should not exceed 12 slides and should be submitted as a read deck.
Closing Date 20. January 2025
Academy-Days
10.-11. March 2025
Concept Ceremony
11. March 2025
Reward
Science4Life Venture Cup
10 x Participation in Academy-Days (2 days)
5x 1.500 €
Closing Date 20. January 2025
Academy-Days
10.-11. March 2025
Concept Ceremony
11. March 2025
Reward
Science4Life Energy Cup
5 x Participation in Academy-Days (2 days)
3 x 1.000 €
Phase 3: Your Business Plan
In the third phase of the competition you establish your complete business plan. Our panel of experts is evaluating all submitted business plans and written feedback is being provided. In addition, the winners have the chance to participate in individual workshops and to win valuable price money. Winners are invited for our three-day workshop.
Your business plan should be limited to a maximum of 25 slides and submitted as a read deck.
Closing Date 14. April 2025
Academy-Days
Businessplanphase Venture Cup 26. June – 29. June 2025
Ceremony
30. June 2025
Reward
Science4Life Venture Cup
5 x Participation in Academy-Days (4 days)
1. Place:25.000 €
2. Place:10.000 €
3. Place:5.000 €
4. Place: 3.000 €
5. Place: 2.000 €
Closing Date 14. April 2025
Academy-Days
Businessplanphase Energy Cup 27. June – 29. June 2025
Ceremony
30. June 2025
Reward
Science4Life Energy Cup
3 x Participation in Academy-Days (3 days)
1. Place:10.000 €
2. Place:5.000 €
3. Place:2.500 €
Any questions? We hope that you find the information here in our FAQ’s.
If not, please send an e-mail to info@science4life.de
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