● 2026 Programme • NOW OPEN
Biotech
Commercialisation
Series
A free hybrid programme designed to introduce students and researchers to the world of biotech entrepreneurship. Real conversations, expert-led sessions, and direct access to Africa’s growing biotech ecosystem.
Who it's for
MSc, PhD & PostDoc researchers
Duration
June - November 2026
Format
12 webinars + in-person events
Final showcase
Pitch to investors March 2027
Cost
Completely free. Limited spaces
What’s Included
Built around real-world exposure
No exams, no coursework, no heavy theory. Instead, direct access to the ecosystem through conversations, expert sessions, and opportunities to collaborate.
Online Webinar Series
Facilitated directly by the experts themselves. Two sessions per month covering each theme, recorded and available to rewatch at any time.
In-Person Events
Connect with the local ecosystem through networking sessions, meet-your-cofounder events, mentoring sessions, and collaborative workshops.
Opportunity to Pitch
Promising founders and ideas will be selected to pitch at a large-scale showcase event in March 2027, gaining exposure to investors and ecosystem partners.
2026 Series
A month-by-month progression
Each month focuses on a key theme with two focused webinar sessions. Webinar recordings are embedded below as they become available.
June
Foundations & Market Orientation
Focus: How research translates into real-world opportunities
Introduction to the programme, founder insights from the field, and frameworks for market-driven research. Learn how to approach problem-solution fit and customer discovery in a biotech context.
July
Venture Formation & Team
Focus: Building the right team and legal foundations
Defining what you’re building and why it matters. The importance of your founding team, how to do your own due diligence, and understanding legal company structures for a biotech startup.
August
Funding Pathways
Focus: Understanding where funding begins in biotech
An introduction to the funding landscape for early-stage biotech. Where funding begins, institutional support mechanisms, and a deep dive into venture capital with active investors.
- COMING SOON
September
Understanding IP
Focus: Protecting your intellectual property strategically
A foundational and strategic overview of intellectual property in biotech -what can be protected, how to think about IP from early-stage, and the key decisions researchers face when moving towards commercialisation.
- COMING SOON
October
Regulatory Considerations
Focus: Navigating regulatory requirements in biotech
An introduction to regulatory pathways across the biotech sectors – health, food, agriculture, and related industries. How to think about compliance and regulatory strategy in early-stage planning.
- COMING SOON
November
Pitching & Investor Readiness
Focus: Communicating biotech ideas clearly and compellingly
How to communicate complex biotech innovations effectively to different audiences. Pitching, storytelling, and preparing your narrative for investors, partners, and the public.
- COMING SOON
THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAMME
In-person events & community
In addition to the webinar series, participants have access to a range of in-person events designed to build real connections across the ecosystem.
Ecosystem Networking Events
Connecting researchers, founders, investors, and industry stakeholders. Casual, informal, and designed to spark real conversations.
Meet Your Co-Founder Sessions
Structured opportunities to meet and form interdisciplinary teams. You don't need an idea to attend-just curiosity and a willingness to collaborate.
Founder & Expert Engagement
Real-world insights and informal discussions with the people building biotech companies right now. Mentoring and direct access to ecosystem expertise.
Biotech & Beers -Community Nights
Relaxed community networking events open to the broader OneBio ecosystem. A low-barrier way to stay connected and meet others in the space.
The Finale
Final Pitch & Showcase
Selected participants will have the opportunity to present venture ideas at a large-scale pitch and showcase event -gaining real exposure to investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners.
- Top ventures selected from programme participants
- Pitch to investors, industry leaders, and partners
- Mentor sessions and pitch refinement in the lead-up
March
2027
Save the date
More Info
Coming Soon
Who Should Apply
You don't need a business idea to join
The programme is designed for anyone curious about commercialisation -whether you have a startup in mind or are simply exploring what the ecosystem looks like.
IDEAL PARTICIPANTS
- Senior students (MSc, PhD)
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Academic researchers
You do not need a business idea to join. Curiosity is enough.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN
Understanding of how research becomes a business
Exposure to funding, IP, and regulatory pathways
Practical tools for thinking about real-world applications
Access to a growing biotech ecosystem
Get Involved
Ready to explore biotech commercialisation?
Spaces are limited and we encourage early registration to secure your place.