Our guest blogger is Dr. Tia Lyles-Williams, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of HiveBio. Find out more about Dr. Tia on LinkedIn.
Biotech innovation has the power to transform lives, but there needs to be equity in how we are helping the future of the industry. HiveBio exists to change that.
The Problem: A Funding Gap in Life Sciences
As a biotech entrepreneur myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of securing capital in this space. Unlike tech startups that can build and launch products within months, life sciences startups operate within a highly regulated industry, often requiring years of development before commercialization. Most accelerators are designed with a fast-paced tech model in mind, failing to address the unique hurdles biotech founders face.
Many underrepresented founders lack access to a “friends and family” funding round, which is often a crucial stepping stone in the early stages of company formation. Without this initial financial boost, many promising ideas never get the chance to evolve into viable businesses. HiveBio is here to change that trajectory by providing a bridge to crucial early-stage funding.
The HiveBio Solution: Funding, Mentorship & Community
HiveBio is a first-of-its-kind accelerator designed to empower underrepresented founders with the tools, resources, and networks they need to thrive. Our program offers comprehensive support, including expert mentorship, strategic business development guidance, and access to essential funding opportunities.
A key component of our approach is helping startups navigate the complex landscape of non-dilutive funding, including Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. These federal grants serve as a crucial stepping stone for early-stage biotech startups, providing validation and financial support without requiring founders to give up equity.
In addition to funding guidance, HiveBio fosters a collaborative ecosystem where founders can connect with industry leaders, refine their commercialization strategies, and gain hands-on experience in scaling their ventures. By addressing the unique challenges faced by biotech entrepreneurs, we aim to build a more inclusive and impactful future for the industry.
To ensure our founders have the best shot at success, the cost of professional grant writers is also included — a $6,000 value per participant — to assist in crafting competitive SBIR/STTR applications. HiveBio is a launchpad designed to directly impact a startup’s ability to secure funding and scale.
The Why: Diversity in Biotech Innovation
A thriving biotech industry must reflect the diversity of the populations it serves. When innovation lacks diverse perspectives, healthcare solutions can fail to meet the needs of all communities. If we want to achieve true health equity, we need more diverse voices driving biotech advancements and developing solutions that address the needs of everyone in our community, including historically underserved populations.
By empowering underrepresented founders to bring their ideas to life, HiveBio isn’t just supporting individual entrepreneurs — we’re driving systemic change in the biotech industry and improving patient outcomes for all.
Join Us: Apply for HiveBio’s Inaugural Cohort
Our inaugural cohort is an opportunity for biotech founders in the Greater Philadelphia region to gain the support they need to take their startups to the next level. We are selecting 10 founders to receive this game-changing support, and we encourage anyone with a high-impact biotech innovation to apply.
The application deadline is February 16, 2025. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to secure funding and build a biotech company that makes a difference, this is your chance.