SLAS Ignite

Innovation AveNEW provides start-up or emerging companies in the life sciences and laboratory technology space the opportunity to elevate the promotion of their new company, product or service at the annual SLAS International Conference and Exhibition and/or SLAS Europe Conference and Exhibition.

Companies selected for Innovation AveNEW are given:

• a complimentary exhibition kiosk space in a specially designated area of the exhibition floor
• full conference registration
• travel and accommodations for two company representatives
• entrepreneurial business consulting
• option to participate in the Ignite Award competition
• access to purchasing influencers and decision-makers from around the world 
• additional pre-, during and post-event publicity opportunities

Innovation AveNEW companies who opt-in to compete for the SLAS Ignite Award are judged on a combination of key concepts, including their marketing plan, market presence and potential; funding prospects; plan for growth and the existence of a balanced company leadership, among other qualities, for a chance to win $5,000.

Applications are now closed for SLAS2026 and SLAS Europe 2026 program.
To be considered, interested companies must align in some fashion with life sciences research and laboratory 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.

Application Process

All applications are reviewed by the Innovation AveNEW Review Panel, who will evaluate applications for technical merit and commercial feasibility as well as other criteria, inclusive of, but not limited to:

• Compelling science and technology
• Clarity of vision and market opportunity (business plan)
• Strength of management team
• Impact on the field of life sciences discovery and technology
• Start-up status

SLAS reserves the right to select and deselect any company at any given time. All decisions are final. Companies selected for participation in Innovation AveNEW must agree to and adhere to the rules and regulations for participation.

Benefits of Participation

SLAS is dedicated to advancing life sciences discovery and technology and connecting its users to each other. To fulfill that mission, companies selected to participate in Innovation AveNEW receive at no cost:

• Kiosk exhibit space on the floor of the Exhibition, including space for a computer and literature, signage, an Internet connection and power (Participants must have an official company representative present in their booth space at all times during show hours.)
• Travel and lodging for two (2) people coordinated through SLAS Travel Service Desk (must be pre-approved, airfare up to $1,500 USD max per traveler, and three nights lodging)
• Access to thousands of practicing life sciences researchers, purchasing decision-makers and potential business partners; ample time for networking, access to SLAS Ignite entrepreneurial workshops and presentations, and opportunity to collaborate with expert life sciences business professionals
• Mentorship opportunity to collaborate with expert life sciences business professionals
• Invitation to be featured on the SLAS podcast, New Matter: Inside the Minds of SLAS Scientists
• Discount on booking fees associated with exhibition and sponsorship at future SLAS events
• Ability to opt in to be considered for the SLAS Ignite Award
• All participating companies are invited to submit a previously unpublished scientific manuscript (original research or a related review paper) for peer-reviewed, post-conference publication in one of two SLAS journals — SLAS Discovery or SLAS Technology

Download the Innovation AveNEW Brochure

The SLAS Ignite Award recognizes the best start-up or emerging company exhibiting within Innovation AveNEW, the specially designated area for start-ups and emerging companies within the SLAS International Conference and Exhibition and SLAS Europe Conference and Exhibition.

Companies selected for Innovation AveNEW, and who opt-in to compete for this prestigious award are judged by an SLAS panel on a combination of key concepts, including their marketing plan, market presence and potential; funding prospect; plan for growth and the existence of balanced company leadership, among other qualities. The winning company takes home a $5,000 cash prize.

Past SLAS Ignite Award Winners

2026: XDemics (USA)
2025: InSimili (Italy)
2024: Depixus (France)
2023 Europe: Bionomous SA (Switzerland)
2023: Okomera (France)
2022 Europe: shinephi (an ICFO spin-off, Spain) 
2022: BennuBio (USA)
2021 Digital: Artificial, Inc. (USA)
2021 Europe: Hopstem Biotechnology Co., Ltd (China)
2020: Correlia Biosciences (USA)
2019: SEED Biosciences (Switzerland)

View SLAS Ignite Award Guidelines

 

Hear from Past InnovationAveNew Participants