Meet in Italy for Life Sciences – MIT4LS – has always been a welcoming home for startups, as witnessed by their participation in the eight previous editions (over 750). To better support them, specific training and business development initiatives have been organized since the 2016 edition and have become a key component of MIT4LS. More than 370 applications were collected, with 125 startups benefiting from training sessions and presentations, involving more than 200 investors and corporate representatives.
Since 2020, the flagship initiative has been MIT4LS – Startup Breeding, dedicated to life sciences business ideas and startups and supported by several investment funds and industry players, in which selected finalists benefited from a tailored entrepreneurial pathway, with thematic insights and coaching sessions with industry experts to refine their approach to business and communication of their innovative value.
The selected business proposals and startups will benefit a tailored entrepreneurial journey, diving into coaching sessions with life sciences experts and mentors, who will help them in refining their business approach and the communication of their innovation value, accompanied by seminars on specific topics.
The journey will end with a pitch to potential corporate partners and international investors on the 31st of October 2023. Moreover, at the end of the event, an expert jury will assign the title of MIT4LS 2023 most innovative proposal award and the other Special Awards, offered by the network of partners of Startup Breeding 2023.
MIT4LS Startup Breeding 2023 – stages
| 1) | Call for applications: from Jult, 4th up to the August, 14th life sciences business proposals and startups (see below for criteria) can apply for MIT4LS Startup Breeding 2023 selection. |
| 2) | Beginnig of September 2023
Applications ranking communication: end of selection by the Selection Committee, matching with the coaches and start of the training path. |
| 3) | 11th, September 2023 – 20th, October, 2023
Business training sessions: expert coaches will help the selected startups to define, strengthen and fine-tune their business propoals. On-line sessions will be carried out, analysing weaker aspects of the projects with a focus on the pitch presentation, to prepare the finalists for the final event. |
| 4) | October, 31st – Milan, Palazzo Mezzanotte
Final pitching event (physical event): the finalists will present their business proposal in pitching sessions in front of international investors and corporate representatives. An expert jury will assign the title of the MIT4LS 2023 most innovative proposal and the other Special Awards, offered by the 2023 network of partners, will be assigned. |
The bootcamp is dedicated to life sciences innovative business ideas and startups working in the following areas:
- Medical devices
- Digital health
- Pharmaceutical
- Related value chain activities
No geographical restriction applies. Proposed solutions TRL have to be within 3 and 5 (see here for TRL in life science sector).
Applications selection will be done by the Selection Committee based on:
- Team experience and skills
- Proposed solution and context description (clarity and scientific/technical soundness)
- Market potential
- Marketing strategy and competitors mapping
- Revenue stream and financials credibility
- Quality of the attached pitch
Applications must be submitted in English, with all the mandatory section filled in.
Applicants have to download the following zip file containing the application form, the personal data privacy notice and related authorization
fill out all the application form sections, and send it by e-mail to mit4ls@meetinitalylifesciences.eu, together with a 2010 PowerPoint compatible or pdf pitch presentation, and the pdf of the signed authorization to process personal data.
Applications longer than 4 pages will not be taken into consideration, as well as those received over the deadline. The suggested number of pitch presentation slides is 10-12. Total files size (application form + pitch presentation + personal data processing authorization) cannot exceed 10 Mb. Applicants must not submit confidential material.31st, July 2023 POSTPONED 14TH AUGUST (5:00 pm CEST)
Only MIT4LS 2023 evaluators, coaches and organizers have access to the applications. They are not responsible for the possible protection of intellectual property or other rights of participants. The organisation of the initiative is not responsible for any failure, delay or problems with the receipt of applications. The organization reserves the right to change dates or rules of the competition at any time. The organization will make every effort to communicate any changes in good time on the initiative website and by e-mail to applicants or selected finalists.
For further information: mit4ls@meetinitalylifesciences.eu
