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elsa program
The Entrepreneurial Life Science Accelerator ELSA program helps life science start-ups shape their business ideas to make them viable and propel them to the next level in the shortest possible time. As a continuation of the former AHEAD Life Science Track, the program is conducted by the Life Science Factory in collaboration with our partner Fraunhofer, Helmholtz Munich and H3 Health Hub. Selected life science start-ups receive free support in a condensed period of 3×2 days, focusing on technology, market and customer understanding, as well as strategy and investor outreach.
The accelerator program emphasizes individual coaching sessions with experts on specific topics such as financing models, intellectual property (IP), or pitch training. Through interactions among themselves and with our coaches, start-ups are empowered to advance their projects intensively. The program concludes with a pitch event in front of an expert and investor jury, as well as a wide audience. All components of our program are conducted in English.
application for the ELSA Track 2024
Who can participate?
Individuals, teams or start-ups with a technology related to life sciences (drug development, medtech, biotech, food and more.) If you are unsure whether the ELSA program is suitable for you, please feel free to contact us.
How does the application process work?
Fill out the contact form, including a pitch deck or a short presentation (e.g., information about technology, market, team, support needs), and submit it. The earlier we receive your application, the sooner we can start the personal exchange and provide optimal support for your idea!
The application period for this year’s ELSA Track has unfortunately already closed. Would you still like to learn more about the program or discuss your options with us? Please do not hesitate to contact us.
contactabout the elsa program
program structure
ELSA is short for Entrepreneurial Life Science Accelerator. The ELSA program kicks off with the Bootcamp in September. The other check-ins will take place in Göttingen in the period from October to December.
What are the objectives of the ELSA program?
- Developing a viable business model and market validation
- Creating a target group oriented pitch
- Forming an entrepreneurial team
- Enhancing business development and acquisition expertise
- Establishing a network with relevant partners in the life science industry
What is happening at the ELSA program?
The program consists of keynote speeches and workshop sessions covering topics such as team, market and product, as well as networking events with industry partners, life science entrepreneurs and experts. The core of the program lies in the individual coaching sessions with up to 15 experts on various topics from the life science field.
process and dates
Bootcamp: Intensive kick-off day: September 5, 2024
- Stress test for team and project
- Needs assessment with lead coaches
- Day concludes with a special event including networking
1st Check-in: October 8-9, 2024
2nd Check-in: November 12-13, 2024
3rd Check-in: December 11-12, 2024 (including final pitch event)
- 2-day topic workshops by experts on validation market / product / team
- 1-on-1 coachings with life science coaches
- Pitch sessions and networking event with potential partners and investors
Registration for this year’s Pitch Bowl will open in October 2024.
more about the pitch bowl
coaches & experts
Lawyer, Associate, Neuwerk
Head of Center for Digital GreenTech, AWS Institut
Corporate M&A, Business Development, Sartorius
CEO & Co-Founder, CrystalsFirst
Managing Director, mediq innovation experts
Head of Research, Eternygen GmbH
Consultant, MedTech360
Geschäftsführerin, Arkadien Finanz GmbH
Life Sciences & Health Technology Specialist
Business Designer, Freelance Consultant
Biotech Venture Building, Blue Ribbon Partners
QM & Regulatory, Life Science Factory
Lawyer, Associate, Neuwerk
Venture Manager, Life Science Valley
Managing Director Business Consulting, white IP
Equity Management & Valuation, Ascenion
Global Health & Life Sciences Consulting
Scientific Opportunity Development
interviews with start-ups and coaches of the program
Experiences of Mnemogen
Mnemogen participated in the Life Science Track 2019 and won the special prize “Life Sciences” at the LIFT-OFF start-up competition last year! Get an insight into the team’s experience in the interview!
Experiences of Advosense
The Advosense team also took part in the Life Science Track 2019! Insights into the team’s experiences during the track and information about the current status of the start-up can be found in the interview!
Experiences of Grit Zahn
Grit is one of our LEAD coaches in the AHEAD Life Science Track and now in the ELSA program! She already participated in the last years and will also support all teams this year. What you can learn from Grit and what is special about the Life Science Track from her point of view, you can find out in this interview!
Experiences of Thomas Reichthalhammer
Thomas already coached our teams 2020 and was a great enrichment for all teams with his expertise! Thomas as also a LEAD coach of the program – he is just like Grit a permanent contact person for the teams! How exactly Thomas supports the teams and why he is part of the AHEAD Life Science Track, you can read in the interview!
contact
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Wildcard Challenge
1x a year
Let’s develop your idea together!
Do you have a sound idea for a start-up? Is your idea embedded in the field of life sciences (biotechnology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, etc.)? Do you want to develop your idea with excellent coaches and get straightforward feedback?
Then you are a perfect contestant for our Accelerator Wildcard Challenge!
Together with our partners White IP and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), we’ll devote a day to input and feedback all about your idea. You will learn the Business Model Canvas and Roadmap approaches. We’ll work with you to develop a tailored roadmap for your upcoming challenges.
And the best part is: You may win a wildcard spot in the ELSA program!
Join us there and make the most of this opportunity! Will you be the next Life Science Unicorn? You’ll never know unless you try!
Goals and advantages of the Wildcard Challenge
What do we do at the Wildcard Challenge?
- Evaluate your business idea
- Create a business model canvas and a roadmap tailored to your idea
- Evaluate the innovativeness, marketability, go-to-market options, regulatory aspects, and product security options for your idea
- Offer input on investor meetings, as well as strategies for potential partnerships and understanding the customer base
What are your advantages?
- You receive free coaching from selected life science experts
- You are shown possible stumbling blocks at an early stage
- You learn to better understand your potential customers and partners
- You add valuable contacts to your personal network
Application procedure
Registration for the Wildcard Challenge is not open yet. If you are interested or have questions about the program, just fill out the contact form to get in touch with us. If you sign up for our newsletter, you will be informed as soon as registration for the Wildcard Challenge opens.
RequestProcedure of the Wildcard Challenge
09.30 to 10.00 AM: Warm-up
Status analysis based on the Business Model Canvas for idea/technology | market | IP | financing
10.00 AM – noon: Work session
Transfer from BMC to the roadmap
1:1 session between teams & coaches
Noon – 1.00 PM: Lunch break
1.00 – 4:00 PM: Work session
Transfer from BMC to the roadmap
1:1 session between teams & coaches
4.00 – 6.00 PM: Next steps
Determining the next steps from roadmap
1:1 session between teams & coaches
6:30 PM: Award ceremony & get-together
Information about the Wildcard Challenge will be published soon. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
Jury 2022
Organizers of the Wildcard Challenge
High-Tech Gründerfonds
HTGF is a seed investor, seeking out and financing technology start-ups that have growth potential. With a volume of around €900 million spread across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has accompanied more than 650 start-ups since 2005. Their team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts supports the young companies with know-how, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion. The focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital tech, industrial tech, life sciences, chemistry, and related business areas. More than €4 billion in capital has been invested in the HTGF portfolio by external investors in more than 1,800 follow-on financing rounds to date. In addition, the fund has sold shares in more than 150 companies.
The fund investors in this public-private partnership include the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, KfW Capital, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and 32 companies.
white ip group
White IP Business Solutions GmbH is part of the White IP Group, alongside White IP Patent & Legal GmbH. They support pioneering companies with respect to both business management and legal matters in all aspects of innovation. From intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, designs, etc.) to exploitation possibilities, strategies, and realization of business projects, their expertise is your advantage.
White IP can advise start-ups on their strategic orientation, protection and exploitation of their ideas, process design and even corporate transactions.
The White IP Group has a patent law firm and a management consulting company as legally independent entities, giving them the interdisciplinary expertise to partner with you in addressing questions concerning intellectual property rights and business management.
Patent law firm and management consultancy, Dresden | white ip (white-ip.com)
Life Science Factory
The goal of the Life Science Factory is to promote scientific progress in the life science sector and strengthen research and development of innovative technologies that have a clear application focus.
Since January 2022 we have been offering start-ups fully equipped laboratory space, including state-of-the-art equipment, in the Sartorius Quarter.
In its 3,300 m² meter facility, the new Life Science Factory is also home to innovative event and office spaces, as well as the Maker’s Factory.
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life science valley
about the program
The Lower Saxony high-tech incubator for start-ups in the life sciences
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs is funding a number of high-tech incubators at various locations throughout the state with the objective of accelerating the establishment of new high-tech companies in Lower Saxony, supporting innovations, and ensuring the viability of the region into the future.
Life Science Valley’s founding partners
Life Science Valley GmbH was founded jointly by the University of Göttingen Medical School, Life Science Factory, and Sartorius in a collaborative effort combining excellent science & research, profound knowledge of start-up incubation and acceleration, and innovation-driving industry.
For more information on Life Science Valley, click here.
contact
Levke Johanna Deutsch
HTI Programme Management
Levke-Johanna.Deutsch@lifescience-valley.de
+49 1511 719 3023
