Bridging the funding gap in biotech - Annick Verween (Biotope by VIB)

Bridging the funding gap in biotech - Annick Verween (Biotope by VIB)

Author: Hugo Rauch April 24, 2025 Duration: 42:33
New Wave.
BusinessScience

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

***

This week, we’re joined by Annick Verween, Head of Biotope at VIB, where she backs early-stage biotech startups working to improve planetary health. With Biotope recently named one of Europe's leading startup hubs by the Financial Times, it's the perfect time to dig into what’s really going on in early-stage biotech.

In this episode, we explore:

* Why investors are hesitant to back early biotech startups

* How incubators like Biotope bridge the pre-seed funding gap

* The “valley of death” in biotech, and how to survive it

* What makes a startup fundable at the seed stage

* How scientists can become founders and sellers

* The growing opportunity in biotech x AI

* … and more!

If you’re a founder raising capital, an investor exploring biotech, or just curious about what’s next for the sector, this is a must-listen. 👇

***

⌛TIMESTAMPS

* 00:00 Introduction to the episode

* 03:12 Early Stage Biotech Startups

* 05:35 Understanding the Funding Gap in Biotech

* 07:24 Supporting Early Stage BioTech

* 09:45 How Biotope Impacts Startups

* 11:49 What Makes a Biotech Startup Fundable?

* 15:13 Navigating the Valley of Death

* 18:50 Trends in Early Stage Biotech Investment

* 26:00 Approaching Investors for Funding

* 29:32 Investment Timelines in Biotech

* 30:51 Scientific Validation and Funding

* 32:17 Opportunities in Biotech Startups

* 38:18 The Role of Advisors in Biotech

* 40:51 Rapid Fire Questions on Biotech

***

***

▶️ CONNECT WITH ANNICK

* Annick Verween (Head of Biotope at VIB) – LinkedIn

***

📚 REFERENCES AND MENTIONS

* Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)

* “Valley of Death” in startup financing

* Pre-seed to seed funding gap

* VIB (Flemish Institute for Biotechnology)

* Biotope (early-stage investment and incubation arm)

***

🎙️PAST EPISODES YOU’LL LOVE

* How to Exit a Deep Tech Startup - Matt Jones (Syensqo)

* USA vs Europe: Who Wins In Climate? - Matthew Blain (Voyager Ventures)

* Founders Should Operate Like Athletes – Romain Vidal (Teampact Ventures)

* Climate Change Is a Social Issue - Alina Klarner (Impact Shakers)

***

💚 LEAVE A REVIEW

* Apple Podcasts - https://shorturl.at/HIDcg

* Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yDTfR



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit newwavenewsletter.substack.com

Hugo Rauch hosts New Wave, a podcast that lives at the intersection of business ambition and scientific reality. This isn't about distant predictions or abstract science; it's a grounded exploration of the technologies and companies being built right now to address our environmental future. Each episode focuses on the practical journey, dissecting the models, the breakthroughs, and the hard decisions that define the climate tech landscape. You'll hear from founders, researchers, and investors who are actively shaping this space, getting into the specifics of what works, what doesn't, and why. The conversations move beyond hype to examine the tangible mechanics of creating viable solutions, from energy storage and sustainable materials to carbon removal and regenerative agriculture. It’s for anyone who thinks about the climate challenge not just as a crisis, but as a complex and urgent field of innovation. By tuning into this podcast, you gain a clearer understanding of the economic forces and scientific principles driving the next generation of environmental solutions. New Wave connects the dots between the lab, the boardroom, and the impact we need to see in the world, offering a sober yet optimistic look at where substantive progress is truly being made.
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