Discovery Park launches £100,000 business growth competition

Kent's science and innovation campus Discovery Park has launched a competition which will see one company secure £100,000 of business support, laboratory space and investment.

The Discovery Spark programme, which is open to early-stage life science companies, offers business support, learning and mentoring over a period of eight weeks, helping all participants to lay the foundations and skills needed when pitching to investors. 

This free-to-enter programme aims to ignite the commercial potential of participating companies through providing said companies with access to the facilities, people, and networks at Discovery Park.

Successful applicants to the programme will have the opportunity to pitch for the £50,000 investment and support package at an investment conference in London in November.  

Entry requirements are that companies must have been incorporated in the UK, have demonstrated proof of concept, and have the end goal of pitching their business concept to a panel of investors, industry experts and partners. A further ‘wildcard’ prize of free lab space will also be available to programme participants, voted for by attendees.

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26 September is the official start date of the programme. Delivered in four in-person sessions, and including mentoring, networking and group learning, the programme will cover teams, coherent communications, financials, market impact and pitch prep. It concludes with all participants making their pitch at Discovery Park. 

Discovery Spark is currently accepting applications from life-science start-ups across Kent and the South East, with a closing date of 20 August. 

Renos Savva, Head of Innovation at Discovery Park and original founder of Cambridge-based Drug Discovery CRO, Domainex, said: “Discovery Spark is essential for all future leaders looking to audit and hone their skills to excel in business and win investment. The winning organisation will have unique access to industry analysts, seasoned leaders and executive trainers for advice and support, plus a new network of peer entrepreneurs. 

“The winner’s benefits go far beyond the £50,000 investment and the year’s free lab space. This bespoke prize also includes business support from Barclays Eagle Labs and a range of pro bono support from firms specialising in IP and legals, finances and tax, talent and board management, marketing and PR, and web and data management. As an experienced bio-business facilitator and mentor, I’ll be providing dedicated and ongoing mentorship, coupled with other specialist colleagues at Discovery Park.” 

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