With the aim of training entrepreneurs in the field of biotechnology, in the areas of health, industry, sea and agri-food, the Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra ( CNC-UC ), in partnership with the Institute for the Environment, Technology and Vida (IATV) and Biocant Park, will promote the BIOSTART program.
The training will take place between November 8 and December 6 in a hybrid format, with online and in-person sessions, which will take place in the Student Hub Auditorium (located in the building of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, at Pole I). The initiative is free and aimed at anyone interested in bioentrepreneurship. Enrollment can be done until the 2nd of November using the following form.
The training program will focus on four areas of biotechnology: health, industry, sea and agri-food. The main objective is to provide the necessary skills to potential entrepreneurs, so that they can face the challenges associated with the creation of start-ups, such as the creation of business models, leadership, female entrepreneurship, pitch and MVP - minimum viable product.
Catarina Cunha Santos, coordinator of the BiotechSTARS project consortium, explains that “bioentrepreneurship is a sector in constant development, with high business potential that deserves attention and prominence , presenting the Central region of our country with unique characteristics for its success.” The program “presents an opportunity for the development of entrepreneurial skills and theoretical valences through blended learning initiatives, structured by several online and face-to-face coaching sessions dedicated, so that students, researchers, young people and other aspiring entrepreneurs feel empowered in bioentrepreneurship”, adds the coordinator.
The BIOSTART program is coordinated by CNC-UC, as part of a project to promote bioentrepreneurship in the Central Region, BiotechSTARS , which aims to provide ideation, training and mentoring programs for the public interested in the area. In addition to this training action, the project, which runs until June 2023, will promote other actions, namely: the IGNITE initiative, to promote the discovery of innovative ideas with entrepreneurial potential; the BIOBOOST programme, an initiative to bring together participants and mentors in the area of bioentrepreneurship, with a view to developing new business initiatives; the BiotechSTARS Academy, to stimulate bio- entrepreneurship among the school public; and the BIOaCOMM activity, which aims to raise society's awareness of the importance of bioentrepreneurship as a vehicle for responding to many of the contemporary economic and social challenges.
Promoted by BiotechSTARS, funded by Programa Operacional da Região Centro - Centro 2020.
Carolina Caetano & Catarina Ribeiro
