What's this program about?

With selected startups, we set up an intensive, founder-first collaboration built around your technology, your team, and your path to scale. All with one single goal in mind: to get your startup ready for seed funding in 18 months.

BY INVITATION ONLY

What you will gain

  • €250k cash investment 
    Non-dilutive funding strategy support to help you extend your runway and reduce dilution risk.
  • in-depth support
    Access to scientists, mentors, biotech entrepreneurs, corporate partners, investors, finance -, IP – and legal experts
  • biotech-first homebase
    Access to coworking space, molecular biology labs, greenhouses, and a peer community — all backed by VIB’s cutting-edge research ecosystem. From technical support to research partnerships, everything you need to build with scientific depth is within reach.

What's expected from you

  • Active Participation
    Weekly sessions with our team and network. We expect you to show up, iterate fast, and stay focused on your next fundable milestone.

  • Give as You Grow
    Engage with your fellow founders. You’ll be part of a community where peer learning and support are as important as expert guidance.

  • Be Present
    We’re based in Ghent for a reason. Physical presence at key moments (events, sessions, workshops) is part of what makes the journey transformative.

Ready to build something bold?

If you’re selected for investment, we go all in with you.
Because at biotope, we don’t just write checks, we help write your next chapter.

First apply for basecamp

Success stories

What makes biotope unique?

First believers
We say yes, when other say 'too early'

Founders first
Because strong companies start with stronger people

Quality over quantity

We meet each founder where they are and grow with them from there

We fix the science first

Biotech is our blueprint, with VIB at our core. We help founders get the biotechnology right, because no biotech scales without a solid foundation.

Diversity is key

We build a community that reflects the world we operate in, across backgrounds, identities, and beliefs.

Get sh*t done

We move fast and solve problems instead of waiting for perfect conditions