Accelerate your idea with us
LevelUP Health & Life Sciences Accelerator is an intensive 6-month program specifically designed to accelerate early-stage startups (under 3 years) who offer a solution in the life sciences field. During the accelerator, teams will receive support from experts on topics such as: discovering and understanding customers, developing and validating solutions, attracting funding, marketing, or sales. The number of spots is limited to 12 businesses, maximum 25 people, founders, or core team members. The costs, amounting to 8000 euros, are covered by INNO/ADR NV through the EIT Health Drive project. Founders do not need to give up equity or shares to participate in the program.
What you get
Personalized support
The accelerator caters to the individual objectives of each startup.
Created for your field
The first accelerator in Romania designed for businesses in the life sciences fields.
1:1 mentorship
Ongoing access to experienced mentors through 1:1 sessions throughout the entire program.
Wide array of know-how
Marketing & Sales, Legislation, Funding, Product Market Fit, Networking, and much more.
Funding opportunities
Post-program support in identifying and applying for public and private funding.
100% free
Each startup will receive 8000 euros worth of support, funded by INNO and EIT Health.
International network
Access to an international network of experts, mentors, business consultants, and investors.
Business consultancy
The startups will have free access to business consulting sessions, tailored to their needs.
Venture capital
At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to pitch your idea to groups of investors.
The ideal candidate...
- Has an established company (less than 5 years) or one that will be established by the end of the program
- Has a team of at least 2 people working full-time or part-time on the development of the start-up
- Has a solution (MVP) in the Healthcare or Life Sciences fields and is ready to take it to the next level in just 6 months
- Is determined and can commit to 10–20 hours of work per week
- Can participate in at least half of the in-person meetings in Cluj-Napoca
Life Sciences
Are a set of scientific fields that focus on the study of living organisms and the biological processes that govern them. Here are some life sciences branches, but this list is not exhaustive:
- Health
- Pharmaceuticals
- Agri-food
- Genetics
- Biotechnology (agricultural, environmental, industrial etc.)
- Medical devices
- Food supplements
- Waste treatment
- Biofuels
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Applications open
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Networking event
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Application deadline
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Introductory bootcamp
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First meeting
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Last meeting
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Demo Day (TBC)
Partners
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Mentors & Experts
Organizers
FAQ
1. How can LevelUP Accelerator help me?
In addition to specialized training sessions, 1:1 mentoring, and business consultancy, LevelUP Accelerator offers you the opportunity to meet and work alongside the most important stakeholders in the regional entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Health and Life Sciences. Additionally, at the end of the Accelerator, the startups will pitch their solution in front of a group of investors and potential clients.
2. Which startups are eligible?
All startups that offer a solution in the fields of health and life sciences and have already established a company or commit to establishing one by the end of the program are eligible.
3. What are life sciences?
Life sciences are a set of scientific domains that focus on the study of living organisms and the biological processes that govern them. Some of the fields that are part of life sciences, without being limited to these, are agronomy, nutrition, anatomy, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, biological engineering, medicine, veterinary medicine, neuroscience, nutrition, wellness, toxicology, ecology, microbiology, botany, pharmacy, virology, zoology, etc.
4. How many members of my team can participate in the accelerator?
Each team can send two participants, either founders or core members. To ensure a comprehensive experience and effective progress, we suggest that the same individuals participate throughout the entire program.
5. How much time do I need to invest in the program?
The LevelUP accelerator is customized for the needs and objectives of each startup, so the amount of time invested will vary from team to team, but we anticipate a required commitment of 10 to 20 hours per week. In-person meetings will take place once every two weeks (6-8 hours/meeting), and between meetings, each team will need to make progress or complete a series of tasks based on their own roadmap (10-20 hours/week) and have one-on-one sessions with mentors (1-2 hours/week).
6. What happens during the bimonthly meetings?
The bimonthly meetings will be divided into three sections: (1) a 30-60 minute Q&A session, (2) a 3-4 hour feedback session from experts based on the teams' progress presentations (their own "roadmap"), and (3) a 1-2 hour advanced lesson on a topic of interest for the teams.
7. Where will the in-person meetings take place?
The meetings will take place in Cluj-Napoca, once every two weeks, on a Thursday. The location of the meetings will be communicated to all participants in advance.
8. What prizes will be awarded at the end of the program?
LevelUP Accelerator doesn't offer money prizes, only support services.
9. Do I need to give up equity?
No, founders do not need to give up equity or shares to participate in the program.
10. Can I sign up if I only have an idea?
Yes, if either (1) it is an idea developed within an existing company targeting one or more fields of life sciences or (2) it is an idea targeting one or more fields of life sciences and you commit to founding a company to develop the idea at least 3 months before completing the program.
11. What expenses are not covered?
The costs, amounting to 8000 Euros per start-up, are covered by INNO/NW RDA and EIT Health. The only expenses to be borne by the participant will be transportation and accommodation in Cluj-Napoca (if applicable) and transportation to the location of the introductory bootcamp (if applicable). All other costs, including accommodation and meals during the Bootcamp are provided.
12. Can I get in touch with the organizing team if I have more questions?
Of course! If you have further questions, you can email us at inno@nord-vest.ro