Passion for Bioentrepreneurship: 6th Edition of the Course 'Keys to Bioentrepreneurship'

Becoming a bioentrepreneur and bulding a business around an opportunity in biotechnology or biomedicine is an increasingly common and interesting reality. Successful companies include a special blend of ingredients: people with the clear intention to help solve real problems, a scientific discovery or solution that can be put into practice, capital, intellectual property, a sustainable business model, and the ability to commercialize it. This is not science fiction: in 2015 over 100 million Euros were invested in biotechnology projects born in Catalan universities and research centres. Barcelona is already on the map of European Biotech.

The Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBG), the Association of Biotechnologists of Catalonia (ASBTEC), Biocat, CataloniaBio, and the Entrepreneurs School Foundation organize the sixth edition of the course "Keys to Bioentrepreneurship" with the aim of conveying the personal experience of the most important bioenterpreneurs of Catalonia, who are at the head of innovative international companies.

The initiative, which has the support and recognition of the Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation, makes it possible to meet 12 entrepreneurs who will explain the successes, failures, problems, and satisfaction involved in Bioentrepreneurship in a very accessible way.

The course is aimed at students and researchers, and its goal is to answer questions such as: When is an idea a good opportunity? - How can I protect it? - Which is the best business model to carry out my idea? - How can I gather the best team? - Do I need funding? If I need it, where can I find it? - Which are the main risks of small companies? - How do companies evolve, what should I have in mind for the future? - What problems, risks, and opportunities await me in the process? The speakers will answer these questions in a direct and accessible way during the four sessions of the course.

"Successful bioentrepreneurs share their personal experience, and their passion for entrepreneurship, for launching a project and creating value for society," says Jordi Naval, director of the FBG and co-founder of five companies in the field of health, a serial bioentrepreneur. Naval will also be in charge of moderating panel discussions during the four sessions of the course.