Immobazyme and UVU Bio have partnered to launch Catalyst 2024, a pitch competition for early-stage biotech startups.
UVU Bio is the biotech arm of non-profit startup ecosystem support player UVU Africa, formerly the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative, while Immobazyme is a Stellenbosch-based biotech company.
Together, the two have launched Catalyst 2024, which aims to empower aspiring biotech founders by offering access to vital resources, mentorship, and connections.
Applications are open here until October 8, with two elimination rounds then producing seven finalists who will pitch their ideas during a live event at UVU Africa’s innovation hub in Woodstock, Cape Town on November 7.
The winner will receive a comprehensive startup launchpad, valued at over ZAR350,000 (US$20,000), to help transform their idea from concept to MVP. This includes six months of free lab space at UVU Bio, specialised support through UVU Bio’s business programme, six months of personalised mentorship from Immobazyme’s executives, among other perks.
“South Africa’s emerging bioeconomy is experiencing a surge of innovative biotech startups. Our collaboration with Immobazyme offers an exciting platform for showcasing these new ideas and driving their growth through a comprehensive support package. This initiative is poised to accelerate the advancement of our bioeconomy and empower the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs,” said Dheepak Maharajh, CEO of UVU Bio.
