Kent's Discovery Park welcomes 13 life science start-ups to its programme

Discovery Park in Kent revealed that 12 life science start-ups from a variety of sectors have been selected to join its eight-week 'Discovery Spark' programme aimed at catalysing their growth plans and offering them a support package worth over £100,000.

The programme offers in-person training sessions and the companies will also be able to network and learn from other entrepreneurs.

READ MORE: Kent's Discovery Park provides £324m of value to UK economy

It culminates with an investor pitching event sponsored by Discovery Park as part of the GIANT Health conference on December 5 where the early stage firm with the best pitch can win a package worth over £100,000, including one free year of lab space at the park and £50,000 investment from Discovery Park Ventures, as well as comprehensive business support.

Companies taking part are 3D Synthesis, Awen, Bing Bong Biologics, BioMavericks, BugBiome, CardioCrown, DLOC Biosystems, Dravya Discovery, KASNMR, Matrix Bio, Rapidx Bio, The Future Care and XR-Musica.

Discovery Park’s head of innovation Renos Savva said: "We were overwhelmed by the number of applications for Discovery Spark.

"The start-ups selected show phenomenal potential and we’re excited to accelerate their growth.
"Being investor-ready is essential for start-ups and Discovery Spark ensures participants will have the best team, brand image and business know-how by the end of the programme."

Start-up BugBiome is harnessing the power of the skin microbiome to repel mosquitoes. Where most repellents on the market provide protection for just a few hours and contain persistent synthetic chemicals that can harm the environment, the company aims to use natural bacteria.

Elsewhere, RapidX has developed a disease detection technology for microbial diseases, which can deliver point of care diagnosis in under 30 minutes, and CardioCrown develops MedTech devices that empower stroke rehabilitation at home.

Mayer Schreiber, the CEO at Discovery Park, said: "Not only will participants receive business training fine-tuned to life-science start-ups, but also access to Discovery Park’s cutting-edge facilities, where they will have the opportunity to network, ideate and collaborate.

"Discovery Park is committed to supporting the next generation of life science leaders, and our Discovery Spark programme embodies that."

Discovery Park is home to more than 160 companies employing around 3,100 people across a growing tenant community of dynamic start-ups through to global companies.

Drugs giant Pfizer built the site’s reputation as a centre for drug discovery and discovered some of the most famous drugs in the world there.

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