BioTools Innovator VANGUARD

Enabling Innovations to Improve Clinical Research and Care Coordination

BioTools Innovator VANGUARD is at the forefront of biomanufacturing innovation, enabling life science tools startups to develop solutions that improve drug discovery and development; increase speed, capacity, portability, and scalability; and improve clinical research and clinical care coordination. VANGUARD stands ready to support startups in deploying innovative medical countermeasures that enhance the United States’ readiness for public health emergencies.

VANGUARD is a joint initiative between BioTools Innovator, the world’s first-ever accelerator focused on life science research tools, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

BioTools Innovator VANGUARD Offers Accelerator and Funding Opportunities for Life Science Tools Startups

BioTools Innovator VANGUARD consists of two programs, a wraparound Accelerator program as part of the core BioTools Innovator annual cohort, and a specialized product Development, Evaluation, and Validation (DEV) funding opportunity. Companies may apply to either or both programs.

The BioTools Innovator VANGUARD Accelerator will select up to 10 companies annually to participate in a specialized track of the BioTools Innovator accelerator, a four-month program.

BioTools VANGUARD will also award non-dilutive funding to support through the Development, Evaluation, and Validation program for technologies that advance BARDA’s mission to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.

Applying to BioTools Innovator VANGUARD

All early-stage innovators developing tools and services for biotechnology, biomedicine, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry with uses for public health emergencies are encouraged to apply.

Join the Waitlist

Preferably, applicants will have prototype or proof of concept evidence and available financial runway remaining to execute on current milestones. Founders who have developed an applicable technology but have yet to form a company may still apply; however, they must be incorporated as a company before starting the accelerator program.

Companies accepted to the program must commit a (co-)founder, chief executive officer, or appropriate senior member of their leadership team to participate in the four-month virtual accelerator program and be present for the Capstone Event showcase and finals in October.

The BioTools Innovator VANGUARD Experience for Life Science Tools Startups

mentorship

Mentorship

In-depth, customized mentorship from senior industry leaders featuring pitch coaching, goal setting, value proposition development, and corporate mentorship.

curriculum

Educational Curriculum

A bespoke educational curriculum, including cohort-driven webinars, open office hours, and hands-on workshops.

community

Community

Engagement with a robust ecosystem of peers, alumni, and strategic subject matter experts.

recognition

Recognition & Visibility

Recognition and visibility to potential partners, investors, and suppliers.

resources and funding

Resources & Funding

Access to unparalleled resource opportunities through networking, leading industry events, and BTI's ecosystem.

Backed by BioTools Innovator, the First Accelerator Focused on Life Science Tools

Since 2012, MedTech Innovator (“MTI”) has built a proven track record of identifying and transitioning research and development products of all stages of technology readiness to follow-on investment and successful commercialization. MedTech Innovator has been a catalyst for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, reviewing 12,000 applicants and fostering the growth of 612 companies that have collectively raised over $8 billion in follow-on funding and introduced more than 350 products to the market, transforming the lives of millions. 

In 2021, MTI launched BioTools Innovator, the first-ever accelerator dedicated to life science tools and diagnostics, which leverages MTI’s successful accelerator model to advance innovation in areas such as drug and vaccine discovery and development, diagnostics development, and biomanufacturing.

Who Should Apply?

research

Research Products & Instruments

Companies that manufacture and/or sell kits, assays, reagents and instruments that are used in corporate R&D, drug discovery, manufacturing and academic research. Products are not subject to regulatory approval.

manufacturing

R&D & Manufacturing Services

Companies that provide outsourced services to academic labs and companies in biophrama, diagnostics, agriculture and food at all stages of R&D.

drug discovery

Drug Discovery Technologies

Companies utilizing technologies enabling the discovery, development, manufacturing and delivery of drugs.

Common Use Cases for Technologies Suitable for BioTools Innovator:

  • Cell Research, Analysis, and Imaging
  • Drug Discovery, Lead Selection, Drug Formulation, and Preclinical Development
  • Bioproduction
  • Protein Analysis
  • Clinical Development
  • Sequencing
  • Nucleic Acid Reagents and Instruments
  • Automation
  • Informatics & Data
  • Cell Engineering Technologies
  • Cell and Gene Therapy
  • Microbiome Analysis
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Diagnostic and Biomarker Discovery
  • Other Molecular Biology

The BARDA Accelerator Network 

In Partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

The BARDA Accelerator Network aims to provide comprehensive support to health security innovators, startups and BARDA portfolio companies through wrap-around accelerator services, technical and business/commercialization expertise, and resources. The network will facilitate the rapid development, evaluation, validation and commercialization of medical countermeasures.

Learn more at the BARDA Accelerator Network.

In addition to the BioTools VANGUARD Enabling Technologies Hub, other Hubs in the BARDA Accelerator Network include:

Diagnostics & Medical Devices

The International Consortium for Research, Engineering, Acceleration of Technology Excellence (I-CREATE) Hubsupports the development and acceleration of novel diagnostics and medical devices to detect, prevent, or respond to medical consequences that result from health security threats.

Digital Health Tools

Focus on the development and application of digital health tools to empower people to prepare for and respond to health security threats and improve the continuum of clinical care.

Special Populations

Focus on innovations that can improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and informed outcomes in pediatric/neonatal populations and immunocompromised populations to enable health equity solutions in traditionally underrepresented communities and low-resource settings.

Therapeutics and Vaccines

The Vaccine Innovations and Therapeutics Acceleration Launchpad (VITAL) Hub will support the development and acceleration of next-generation therapeutic and vaccine platforms and technologies.