Welcome to the NC BIONEER Venture Challenge, for Biotech Pioneers bringing life sciences innovations to the marketplace in North Carolina. 

The North Carolina Biotechnology Center launched this life-sciences-based, innovation-focused venture challenge to raise the profile, increase the volume, and enhance the successes of life science commercialization, innovators, entrepreneurs, and companies in every region across North Carolina.

NC BIONEER Venture Challenge Benefits

• A 2-month period of mentoring assistance and networking opportunities
• Public and private networking and educational events to enhance our connected networks of entrepreneurs, investors, and others in the region and beyond, especially as they relate to biotech innovation and commercialization
• Targeted assistance from the NC Biotechnology Center Life Science Intelligence team--e.g., industry and market research
• A pitch challenge at the end of the assistance process, which will yield significant monetary awards, in addition to the invaluable mentoring and networking each venture will experience during the assistance phase
• Monetary Awards Totaling $40,000 IN EACH REGION: Top Award, $20,000; Second Award, $10,000; Third Award, $10,000. (Total: $200,000 across the state)
• Incubator tenancy and/or support partnerships with local incubators, accelerators, and support providers where applicable
• Promotion in the region and beyond of our impressive community of biotech innovators, entrepreneurs, and ventures

Statewide Challenge: The winner from each of the 5 regional challenges will continue to the statewide challenge for additional mentoring assistance, NC Biotechnology Center Life Science Intelligence team support, promotion, public appearances, and monetary awards.

Mentoring, Networking, and Awards Events

• March 3, 2022: Kickoff Celebrations - Regional (All applicants, mentors, presenters, others)
• March 10, 2022: Notifications to Candidates and Selected Finalists

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the NC BIONEER Venture Challenge, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Physical presence in a North Carolina county represented by an NC Biotechnology Center Regional Office (Eastern, Greater Charlotte, Southeastern, Piedmont Triad, Western).
• Life Sciences/Biotech-related business ventures, including ventures that support life sciences and biotech through equipment, technology platforms, and software applications. For example, ventures may be related to a broad range of biotech-related innovations and applications including agriculture, bioenergy, health/nutrition, advanced materials, industrial biotech, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, biomanufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, technology, or marine biotech.

Application Period: Feb. 1 - 25, 2022