Interested companies must align in some fashion with the area of life sciences and technology and while not required, an established relationship with a university, bioscience incubator or research institution is preferable. The company’s products and/or services must be available for sale/distribution within the year of their conference participation.
To ensure that participating startups are well-positioned for the Innovation AveNEW program, the following eligibility criteria will be considered:
- Company Age: Must be registered and in operation for a minimum of six (6) months but not exceed eight (8) years.
- Technology Maturity: Should possess a market-ready product or service, preferably with some initial customer traction.
- Capital Raised: Must not have raised more than $10 million in total funding, excluding grants and research-oriented funds.
- Industry Relevance: Should operate in a sector that aligns with the focus of the SLAS Innovation AveNEW program, such as life sciences, laboratory automation or related fields.
- Geographical Operations: Open to startups from any country but must be willing to participate in either the International or Europe conferences and exhibitions.
Companies that have previously exhibited on Innovation AveNEW are not eligible to apply again. Innovation AveNEW companies are not permitted to purchase a booth on the exhibit floor.
By adhering to these criteria, Innovation AveNEW aims to attract startups that are mature enough to engage meaningfully with potential clients and investors, yet still young and agile enough to benefit from the program's offerings. If your company is more mature, we suggest applying for SLAS's New Product Award, which will support your mission and marketing strategy.
