Richmond’s Activation Capital is launching a pre-accelerator program focused on early-stage founders working in biotech and life sciences.
The program, called Start-the-Journey, includes programing from Fat Robin Consulting that will be tailored to participating startups. Some of the focus will be on market value creation, minimum viable product development and resources for entrepreneurs, the organizers said.
Activation Capital said the pre-accelerator program is geared toward founders in Richmond and across the state, or those considering relocating to Virginia, with a focus on deep-tech biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostics.
"This program provides a foundational experience for entrepreneurs navigating the early challenges of building a biohealth startup,” Jim Pannucci, Activation Capital’s vice president of entrepreneurship, said in a statement. “Our goal is to help them develop the essential skills needed to succeed.”
Start-the-Journey will operate on a rolling model, starting monthly from October through January. The program is offered at no cost and Activation Capital takes no founder equity.
Activation Capital, an independent authority of Virginia that promotes research, commercialization and innovation ecosystem development in the Richmond region and operates the 34-acre VA Bio+Tech Park in downtown, has been increasing its programming in the biotech and life sciences fields. It recently launched the first cohort for its Frontier BioHealth program, an accelerator-like program for startups closer to commercialization.
Activation Capital said the new Start-the-Journey pre-accelerator will ideally prepare founders to advance to Frontier BioHealth.
Start-the-Journey is funded in part through a grant with the Small Business Administration. Program partner Fat Robin Consulting, which is based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, specializes in helping early-stage health care companies build a commercial strategy. It is also partnering with Activation Capital on the Frontier BioHealth program.
