Fueling the future of bioeconomy

Fueling the future bioeconomy - World Fund’s Nadine Geiser drives funding and deep tech innovation at the Bioinnovation Institute 

‍Backed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the BioInnovation Institute non-profit brings its expertise in deep tech investing to accelerate life science innovation across Europe. 

After a challenging time in 2022 and 2023, private funding for biotech startups rose again in the first quarter of 2024. Deep tech funding now comprises around 20% of VC investments in total. However, while VC funding serves as a vital catalyst for biotech innovation, investors remain cautious.

Synthetic biology (Synbio) investments are a challenging frontier for investors, involving supporting nascent technologies and lengthy development cycles. Often, synbio and agrifood startups need at least €100m in funding to scale, and can take 25% to 40% longer to mature than other tech investments. As a result, investors often prefer to back established teams focused on enhancing existing technologies, rather than taking risks on new cutting-edge developments. 

Complex global issues, like climate change, require advanced solutions, making deep tech investments essential. Due to high R&D costs, synbio and agrifood startups require investors who are committed to long-term innovation. Investors with STEM backgrounds understand these intricate timelines and challenges, making them particularly valuable. 

That’s where the BII (BioInnovation Institute) steps in. Financially supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, BII is an international hub and incubator in Denmark dedicated to accelerating world-class life science innovation. Operating as a non-profit international enterprise foundation, it provides financial support to early stage biotech startups.

BII focuses on financing projects that target human and planetary health. It offers four incubator programs based on a company's maturity: BioStudio, Venture Lab, Venture House, and Deep Tech Lab - Quantum. 

‍Dr. Nadine Geiser, a Principal at World Fund, sits as a non-executive advisor to BII’s accelerator programs. With a PhD from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, and a distinguished background in biotechnology, Nadine is the perfect ally to grasp the mission, challenges, and strategic roadmaps of emerging biotech founders. Leveraging World Fund’s resources, networks and insights into the European biotech scene, Nadine has expedited the progress of notable portfolio startups including Symbiomatch, oasicare, FAERM, and norfalk. Collaborating with a distinguished committee of investors and industry veterans from VCs such as the March fund, Gullspång Re:Food and Novonesis, Nadine provides support, resources, and networking opportunities to companies harbouring truly groundbreaking ideas. 

Understanding the unique development cycles inherent in synbio and agrifood startups, Nadine works with BII to tailor support to nascent European biotech ventures. With founders often fresh out of university, the BII accelerator programs afford new founders the necessary time for growth and maturation. Prior to accepting cohort members, BII conducts thorough due diligence, including patent attorney reviews and financial and legal assessments, to pinpoint startups with significant long-term potential. This rigorous process provides a valuable stamp of approval to VCs and investors in the network.

World Fund is  committed to investing in deep tech to decarbonise the global economy - and to backing the founders building a regenerative world. We recognise the immense value that STEM specialists like Nadine bring to early stage deep tech startups, and look forward to her continued collaboration with BII to drive long-term solutions to today’s biggest problems.

Applications for the next program are open now, with the new cohort beginning by the end of August.

For more information, please contact: 

Dr. Nadine Geiser, Principal, World Fund

nadine@worldfund.vc