International Bioinnovation Program

??Are you a STEM student, thinking about applying for the International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program? Deadline is just around the corner – luckily, you still have 5 days until the application deadline on March 15th! Don’t miss your chance to gain hands-on experience in a Silicon Valley startup and become part of the bioinnovation ecosystem! ?? Apply via link in comment!

Are you interested in biotech and want to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey? ?? Join us for the online Q&A on March 6 at 20:00 CET, where we and Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley answer all your questions about the International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program. During the session, we’ll guide you through the key aspects of the program, including the application process, what the scholarship program covers, life in California, and how it can help impact your future! This is your chance to get the details you need before the March 15 application deadline. Scan the QR code or click the link below to sign up and to get one step closer to spend a semester in California! ? https://lu.ma/fb9w0r81

Caroline Took the Leap – Will You Be Next? After an intense semester in Silicon Valley, Caroline Damsgaard Jensen has just completed the International BioInnovation Scholarship Program. For a semester, she worked with OneSkin on inspiring longevity and health research, learned how to drive user-centered innovation, and built a strong network in the world’s leading innovation hub. Join us in celebrating Caroline’s impressive journey! ?? ?? Want to learn how to turn research into real-world solutions? The application period for the fall semester is now open! Apply by March 15! Who knows, maybe you’re the next BioInnovator?

Welcoming Our Newest Bioinnovators to Silicon Valley! ?? Time is flying! In December, we gathered in Copenhagen to kick off our newest cohort of the International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program at BioInnovation Institute Institute, and in the beginning of February we welcomed our six new Bioinnovators to San Francisco. Over the next five months, they’ll get first-hand experiences by working daily alongside a bio-Startup, integrating into the Silicon Valley innovation hub. Alongside they will take part in our Lab 2 Market course, taught by leading Silicon Valley experts, equipping them with the skills to transform ideas into real-world solutions!?? We’re excited to follow their journey! Help us give them a warm welcome to Silicon Valley! ??

?? Open Call for STEM students: Work in a Silicon Valley Startup! Have you ever dreamed of being a part of a Silicon Valley startup? Now's your chance! The International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, gives six top students from Danish universities the opportunity to spend five months in a startup in Silicon Valley. Gain hands-on experience, expand your global network, and explore the worlds leading innovation ecosystem - an opportunity that could kickstart your entrepreneurial journey! This is for you if: - You’re a Master’s student (or a Bachelor with guaranteed Master’s admission). - You study a STEM field. - You have a passion for entrepreneurship. The program covers major costs, including visa, housing, flight tickets, a monthly stipend, and full support from Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley throughout the stay. Program period: August 1 – December 31, 2025 Application deadline: March 15, 2025 ?? Apply now: bioinnovationprogram.dk

Calling All Bioinnovation Startups in the SF Bay Area! Are you ready to take your research projects to the next level? The International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program is looking for five startups to host talented Danish scholars for Fall 2025 (August–December). This is a fully funded opportunity for your startup to collaborate with Danish top STEM talent at no cost to you. The scholars are highly skilled and ready to tackle research projects defined by your team. Here’s What’s Covered: Scholar’s monthly stipend, housing, flights, and visa support Access to a global innovation ecosystem Tailored research to meet your needs Eligibility: Startups must have at least 5 full-time employees and a 12-month funding runway. ?? Applications are open until January 9, 2025. Learn more and apply here: bioinnovationprogram.dk Let’s build the future of bioinnovation together! ??? Questions? Reach out to Program Manager Josefine Strandgaard at [email protected]. ?? Help us spread the word by sharing this post with your network!

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting our advisory board for a full week in California, and it was both inspiring and valuable. ?? During their visit, they got the opportunity to explore the International Bioinnovation Program by visiting our current scholars and their host companies, as well as local start-up accelerators, venture capitalists, and top universities including Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UC Davis. ?? Throughout the week, our advisory board engaged with the Silicon Valley ecosystem, attending networking events, workshops, and discussions about the future of the International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program. ? We are grateful to be supported by such a competent and diverse group of advisors and would like to thank our advisory board members: Susan Jenkins, Trine Winter?, Bjarke Bak Christensen, Henrik M. Geertz-Hansen, and Jeppe D?rup Olesen for your support, engagement, and invaluable contributions in continuously shaping the future of the International Bioinnovation Scholarship Program. We look forward to continuing the collaboration.?

Last week, we dove into our third Lab to Market session, and it was a game changer!??? ? Executive Director at Cleantech Open, Ken Hayes, was our guest speaker, he introduced the scholars to BMC and broke down the key difference between startups and established companies: while startups are searching for their business model, companies are focused on executing theirs. The traditional "Plan + Financial Statement" approach is no longer enough—today, it’s all about testing Business Model Canvas (BMC) hypotheses to achieve success in a startup. ? Ken highlighted that a lot of startups often fail because they lack customers, and run out of time and money. Therefore, he underlined the importance of getting out there and testing assumptions. Customer discovery isn't about guessing—it’s about engaging with real people, gathering insights, and adjusting your hypotheses based on facts. Identifying key customer types, such as the end user, payer, decision-maker, and even the saboteur, is crucial for adapting your startups approach effectively. ? This session was an important learning for the scholars that resilience and constant iteration are crucial in startups to find the path to their Product-Market Fit.

Last week, students from International Bioinnovation Program and DARE Fellowship gathered for the second Lab to Market session with guest speaker Ilana Lipsett, who shared insights on futures thinking and moving from idea to concept. ? The participants explored the "Cone of Possibilities" to recognize signals of change and strategies for overcoming cognitive biases. They also played the "Thing from the Future" game by Situation Lab to imagine potential futures and ask critical questions. ?? The session emphasized a designer mindset, exploring problems from multiple angles with frameworks like regenerative design and design justice. ?? ?? Follow their journey as they move their ideas from lab to market. ??

??? LAST CALL for Ambitious STEM Students!??? ? Dreaming of an exciting five-month adventure in Silicon Valley? ?? ? The International Bioinnovation Program, sponsored by?Novo Nordisk Foundation and run by Innovation Centre Denmark Silicon Valley, offers six scholars the chance to work with innovative startups, gain entrepreneurship skills, and expand their network. The scholarship program includes financial support for visa, housing, and a monthly stipend for living expenses. ????? ? ??Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity! ? ??? Deadline to apply: September 15, 20:00 ? For details and to submit your application, visit?bioinnovationprogram.dk?and?take?the first step towards an incredible journey in Silicon Valley! ?????