iGEM Startups

“Someone already had this idea” = the excuse that kills too many startups.
Execution > originality.
We're unpacking the most common myths that stop students from starting their business journey.🚀
Heard any other myths about startups? Tell us in the comments!

We’re debunking the most common myths that keep students from taking the Startup leap. 🚀
No, you don’t need a million-dollar idea to begin.
You just need to start! 🧗‍♀️
Save this for when you need a reminder to go for it!

Common myths stopping students from starting Startups

Myth: Only business students can start a startup. Truth: Regardless of your field of study, you can start a startup!

Myth: I need to be rich to start a startup Truth: Utilising iGEM Startup’s free resources and workshops, you can be connected to investors and accelerators to help you!

Myth: I already need to have everything planned to the tiniest detail before I begin. Truth: iGEM Startups Venture Foundry program provides guidance to help you along the way.

Many students hesitate to start a startup because of common myths — like "you need a ton of money" or "failure will ruin your resume."
We say: Not true! 📣
Check out our “Myth or Truth?” breakdown to bust the biggest misconceptions and get real about startup life as a student! 🚀

Looking to expand your entrepreneurial skills and mindset? Explore firsthand insights from iGEM alumni who have navigated the startup journey. Our blogs and reports offer guidance for your synthetic biology entrepreneurship path!

🔗Link to access: https://linktr.ee/igemstartups_reports

The end of the 2025 Venture Creation Lab has arrived! Join us for Pitch Day on May 16, 2025, at 6 PM (IST, BST, and EDT).

Missed this year’s VCL? Sign up for our mailing list to stay updated on next year’s applications! https://bit.ly/StartupsNewsletter2025 
 #synbio

Max Lebeau, iGEM Startups Mentor and Bio Investor, shares his perspective on the value of mentorship. 
👉Join as a mentor at iGEM Startups now! - bit.ly/StartupsMentor25

Announcing the third week of VCL sessions!
We will run a Pitching Workshop across three regions on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 6 PM (IST, BST and EDT). 
Missed this year’s VCL? Sign up for our mailing list to stay updated on next year’s applications! https://bit.ly/StartupsNewsletter2025

Jonty Corrin, Associate at Ananda Impact Ventures and Founder of Future.Bio, joined the 2024 iGEM Grand Jamboree panel on healthcare innovation. We interviewed him asking for insights on VC perspectives on investing in early-stage startups.
👉 Read the full interview at blog.igem.org.

Announcing the first week of Venture Creation Lab sessions!
We will have a Founders Workshop run across three regions on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 6PM (IST, BST and EDT). 
Sign up for our mailing list to stay updated on next year’s applications! bit.ly/StartupsNewsletter2025

It’s a wrap! 450+ Participants and 45+ teams pitched at the 2025 BioHackathon! Explore more BioHackathon highlights on our blog: blog.igem.org. 

Missed this year's BioHackathon? Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about upcoming events and the latest news: bit.ly/StartupsNewsletter2025

Before the VCL begins, join our regional networking sessions on April 11 and April 18 at 6 PM (IST, BST, EDT) to connect with fellow participants and potential co-founders.

Missed VCL this year? Sign up to stay updated for next year!
https://bit.ly/StartupsNewsletter2025
#synbio

🚨 Just 1 day left to apply for the Venture Creation Lab! 🚀
Happening April 21–May 16, 2025, across three regions. 👉 Apply by end of day April 6: bit.ly/Biofounder2025
Learn more: startups.igem.org

#synbio

🚀 Astromycota, a Mexican team working on space food, joined the 2024 VCL cohort and completed the Venture Foundry program.
💡 Want to turn your idea into a startup? 2025 VCL is happening from April 21–May 16. 
📅 Apply by April 6: bit.ly/Biofounder2025 🔗 More: startups.igem.org 
#igem #Igemstartups

Gregory Segala, CSO and Co-founder of FluoSphera, shares his journey from the iGEM competition to launching a startup that’s set to revolutionize drug discovery.🚀Read the full article at blog.igem.org
#SynBio

🚀 2025 BioHackathon Pitch Day is tomorrow!
Each team gets 2 minutes to pitch, followed by a Q&A with our judges!
📩 Pitch deck submissions close Sunday, March 23rd, at 05.00 AM UTC.
📅 Join us on March 23 at 4.00 PM UTC!

#synbio

Join Ian Schlander, Senior Investor Relations at Vama, for an interactive session on crafting compelling pitches and storytelling for your startup idea. The BioHackathon is happening March 21 - March 23. ⏳ Sign up before the end of the day March 20, 2025 👉 bit.ly/BioHackathon25

#synbio #Biofounder

🚀 350+ have signed up, and we’re extending the deadline! You now have 48 hours left to join the 2025 BioHackathon! 

📅 When: March 21-23, 2025
⏳ Sign up before: March 20, 2025 👉 bit.ly/BioHackathon25
#synbio

🚀 Last day to sign up for the 2025 BioHackathon!
Join us this weekend (March 21-23) for SynBio innovation. Find potential co-founders, pitch your idea & connect with VCs! ⏳Sign up by the end of day today, March 17, 2025: bit.ly/BioHackathon25 

#synbio

🚨 Last chance! Just 1 day left to register for the BioHackathon! 🚀
Join us later this week, March 21 - March 23, for a weekend of SynBio innovation! Connect with potential co-founders and pitch your idea! 👉 Apply before March 17, 2025: bit.ly/BioHackathon25 

#igem #igemstartups #synbio

🚀 2025 BioHackathon Keynote featuring Oxford Nanopore Technologies CSO, Dr. Lakmal Jayasinghe. 📅When: March 22, 2025 | 2PM-3PM UTC. The BioHackathon is happening March 21-23, 2025. Apply now: bit.ly/BioHackathon25 

#synbio

BioHackathon Workshop Highlight: Building a World-Class Team.
This workshop will be led by Alejandra Borda, Instigator at Fifty Years, a pre-seed and seed VC firm backing founders tackling the world’s biggest problems. The BioHackathon is happening March 21-23, 2025. Apply now: bit.ly/BioHackathon25

Happy International Women’s Day! 🎉 On this day to celebrate women’s achievement, Dr. Kennedy McDaniel Bae shares her insights on women’s leadership in STEM and her journey as a leader. Full video on our instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn!

#InternationalWomensDay

🚀Announcing 2025 BioHackathon Keynote Speaker, Prof. George Church!
A pioneer in genetics and a serial entrepreneur, Professor Church will deliver a keynote on his groundbreaking work in synthetic biology and bioentrepreneurship.
📅When: March 21, 2025 | 2PM-3PM UTC
👉 Apply now: bit.ly/BioHackathon25

"Crazy, challenging and worth it!"— That’s how Marta Luterek and Nina Kurowska of Team JU Krakow describe their iGEM journey. As Poland’s first-ever iGEM finalists, they balanced lab work with startup learning at the BioHackathon & VCL. 🚀BioHackathon is happening 21-23 March! 👉 bit.ly/BioHackathon25

Have questions about the iGEM Startups BioHackathon? 🤔 We've got answers! 
🚀 BioHackathon: March 21-23, 2025.
🌍 Free and fully virtual—join solo or with a team!

🔗 Apply now: bit.ly/BioHackathon25
📖 More info: startups.igem.org
#synbio

iGEM Startups 2025 BioHackathon application is OPEN! 🌍
The BioHackathon, taking place March 21–23, 2025, is a 100% virtual event to:
🚀 Brainstorm & pitch ideas;
🤝 Collaborate with SynBio enthusiasts;
📚 Learn startup essentials.

Apply here: bit.ly/BioHackathon25 by March 17, 2025!
#synbio #igem2025

🚀 Applications for the iGEM Startups 2025 Committee are open!
Be part of the team shaping the bioeconomy. Join us and drive innovation with visionary startups.
💼 Open roles: Venture Fellow, Marketing, Venture Analysts, Partnerships, Representatives
⏳ Apply by Dec 23: bit.ly/startups-tea...

#synbio

What if your lamp did more than light up your room? 🌿💡
Nambi is creating bioluminescent lamps that purify the air! 🚀 From an iGEM 2022 project to a startup in Venture Foundry 2024, they’re making waves.

🖇️Check them out: nambi.ca
🚀Ready to launch your idea? Join us: bit.ly/Biofounder25

#synbio

ClearMark Biosciences, a startup company developing a rapid concussion biosensor founded by Keane Deas and Oliver Loreto, @universityoforegon.bsky.social undergraduates with #KnightCampus ties, won the Grand Prize at the 2024 iGEM Startup Showcase. The award included a $10,000 prize: bit.ly/3OziLZZ

Have a SynBio idea or want to continue your iGEM project? 🚀
Learn Startup 101 and build your proof of concept with @igemstartups’ Venture Foundry program! Kicking off April 2025 across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas.

👉 Secure your spot now: bit.ly/Biofounder25 #synbio #startups #founders