Report
September is a good time to set new goals. Funding, internationalization, networking, professional growth… Take note of these resources and don’t miss out on these great opportunities!
If you have a technology start-up that has been in business between three months and three years, ACCIÓ has just launched a new line of direct grants of up to €75,000. Submit your application for the ‘Startup Capital’ grants through 31 October. And if you focus on research and haven’t already done so, the deadline is 30 September for applications for the three PERIS grants to hire new scientists and technologists for research groups; to allow nursing, physical therapy and specialist staff to do more research and for targeted research projects.
There is also still time to apply for innovation vouchers (deadline 16 November) and internationalization vouchers (deadline 30 November). These direct discounts can be exchanged for services from a ACCIÓ-accredited provider.
Furthermore, biopharmaceutical SMEs can apply for PERMIDES grants for research-digitalization projects, with up to €60,000 each. And, if you’re a Catalan business and want to undertake an R&D project with companies or organizations in Germany, Israel or Chile, have a look at the Nuclis Internacionals grants. Plus, Biocat can help put you in touch with partners in these countries thanks to our agreements with the clusters in Munich-Bavaria (BioM) and Stuttgart (BioRegion STERN).
“La Caixa”, through Caixa Capital Risc, and the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, through Enisa, have announced the call for candidates for the EmprenedorXXI awards. This program is geared towards highly innovative companies that have been in business for under three years in the life sciences, information technology, digital business, industrial technology and agrifood sectors. The winners will get €25,000 and the opportunity to participate in an international growth program with Singularity University and a prestigious business school. There will also be regional awards and a runner-up for innovation. Anyone interested should send their application to the EmprenedorXXI awards by 3 November.
The European Boost4Health program, which Biocat is participating in, currently offers three types of grants for internationalization of SMEs in the sector: €500 travel vouchers (for fairs, missions, visiting partners, etc.); market-research vouchers (up to €3,000) and product-validation vouchers (up to €5,000). Go to the Boost4Health website and sign up as an SME to apply for all of these vouchers. If you are a company that can provide services to innovative SMEs in the healthcare or life sciences, sign up as a service provider to gain visibility and attract clients from northern Europe. Once registered, you can apply for the type of voucher that best fits your needs. If you do so before 30 September, you’ll get an answer to your request within one month (the program is ongoing but the next cut-off is in January).
If you work in healthcare or medical technology and you’re interested in exploring the markets in Japan and Korea, there is an open call for three “EU Gateway” business missions funded by the European Union. Remember, these missions are subsidized and include the agenda, tickets and accommodations.
Nearby, in Hong Kong, 100 start-ups in active ageing, robotics, smart city and fintech will give their elevator pitch in the city’s tallest building, competing for a $120,000 prize on 2 November. Catalan companies Cytes Biotechnologies and Spiral Therapeutics have already signed up and you can register too for the ‘Elevator Pitch Competition’ through 30 September. The finalists get their travel expenses covered!
Are you a researcher with a good scientific project that could become a company but need someone to take care of the business and investment plans? Or are you an expert in management with entrepreneurial spirit and looking for an innovative project to apply your energy and experience? Sign up for Health&Bio Team Dating and find your professional other half on 21 November. Have a look at all the couples that have come out of previous editions.
Also, on 10 October Lyon is hosting the Collaborative Days partnering event, co-organized by Biocat, to promote R&D partnerships and new tools to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases. Check out the program for the Collaborative Days and how to sign up.
If you’re planning to go to the great medtech event, MEDICA Dusseldorf, don’t miss out on the Healthcare Brokerage Event that hosted nearly 1,200 meetings between more than 300 participants last year. Registration for this Brokerage Event is open through 5 November on the ACCIÓ website, which is co-organizing the event. Other noteworthy fairs coming up include CPHI (Frankfurt, October) and BIO-Europe (Berlin, November). Ask us for information on discounted rates! Crack open your agenda and take note of all the events in the sector.
And if you’re looking for companies and organizations that work in the healthcare and life sciences field in Catalonia, don’t forget to search the Directory of the BioRegion of Catalonia (Catalan Life Sciences), which is updated daily and currently has more than 1,200 companies and organizations. Are you not in there yet? Register with the Directory, it’s free!
Barcelona will once again be the center of international scientific debate with B·Debate, an initiative of Biocat and the “la Caixa” Foundation. In collaboration with some of the top research centers in the BioRegion, we will hold four new sessions in October and November on smart cities, epigenetics and cancer, bioengineering for ageing and women’s cancer. Choose the one that interests you most and send in your abstract and/or sign up to attend. Want to know which topics are on the agenda for 2018? Here’s a quick overview of the B·Debate activities awaiting us next year.
September is also a good time to explore new job opportunities. Did you know that Biocat has the benchmark job center in the biotechnology and medical technology sector in Catalonia? Have a look at the jobs available in the sector!
If you want to make a change but don’t see any vacancies you’re interested in, have a look at the d·HEALTH Barcelona program. Called “probably the best health accelerator in Europe” by Health Startup Europe, this program trains healthcare entrepreneurs and future leaders in healthcare innovation. Fellows start off with no idea or project and develop and create one over the 9 months of the program. It is inspired by the prestigious biodesign program at Stanford University and 97% of former fellows have found work immediately afterwards or set up their own start-up. We’re looking for people to participate in the 5th edition of the program, which kicks off in January. Find out how to apply to d·HEALTH Barcelona.
But don’t miss out on any other opportunities. Stay up to date on everything that is going on! If you haven’t done so already, sign up for Biocat’s mailings (you can choose the topics you’re interested in). And if you want the latest news every day, sign up for our free press-clipping service.
