Get ready for a paradigm shift in biotechnology!
Not too long ago, it took millions of dollars and years of development to start a new technology business. But not anymore, as many tech startups get up and running in weeks for under $20K. Biotechnology is poised to follow this trend powered by synthetic biology – genetic engineering done with software-based design tools coupled with low-cost DNA synthesis and assembly. Using synthetic biology, undergraduate students are developing everything from DNA data storage systems to new biofuels or gene therapies in just months; DIYbio enthusiasts are making DNA testing kits, PCR machines and more; and graduate scientists are bootstrapping innovative synbio companies producing custom-made organisms, phage-based diagnostics, and open-source genome design software.
About the Program
Singularity University is partnering with Triple Ring Technologies to launch a pilot program whose mission is to help great synthetic biology ideas turn into startup companies. Promising entrepreneurs with great ideas will be intensively mentored over a 4-month period to develop exciting products and services. The program will run from May to August 2012 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Program benefits include:
- Stipend for 4 months (May – August)
- Lab services and consumables expenses
- Intensive scientific and technical mentorship
- Introduction to exponential technologies
- Business mentorship and support for incorporation into a commercial entity
- Access to a professional biology lab
- Access to DIYbio and maker facilities
- Speaker programs featuring leading thinkers
- High-access networking in the Silicon Valley entrepreneurial community
- Peer-to-peer support and inspiration
Selection Criteria
- A great idea that catches people’s attention, usually in a positive way
- Emerging, passionate bio-entrepreneurs who are ready to work hard and have fun
- Concept that is past breakthrough invention and ready for assembly (development, not research)
- High likelihood to advance to a working demo in 3 months (seeing is believing)
- Requires relatively little capital
- Is understandable to general audiences (non-experts)
- Has identifiable customers and markets
- Has few or no regulatory barriers
- Has high profit and growth potential
Examples of Summer Projects
Write it
DNA synthesis is the heart of synthetic biology and makes programming life easier than ever. Big biotech makes billions selling stuff made from less than 10,000 basepairs of DNA code, or about $2,500 in synthesis. With DNA synthesis, you can play with the big boys. Have you got a favorite metabolic pathway you’d love to boot up in yeast or E. coli? Or a bacteriophage hack that could cure acne or tooth decay?
Think: Becoming the Next Genentech
Read It
DNA sequencing and analysis is getting very cheap, even handheld, but there are few compelling consumer applications. Ancestry.com touched a nerve and has a market cap of $1 billion built on this information. What is your idea?
Think 23andMe meets Oprah. Pet genomics, easy and fast food detection, toenail fungus ID kit…
Analyze it
Do you make 5 iPad applications before lunch? Got an app idea that will connect biotech to the masses?
Think: What would Steve Jobs do? Or Mark Zuckerberg?
Assemble it
A biological process or service that you suspect would work if you built it, or extends previous work. Your idea has a strong theoretical basis, all the ingredients or various bits are out there, you just need to put it together and tinker a bit.
Think: Extreme Science. Technology mashups to make something completely different… bio-printing with Makerbots, real-time biological detection, bio-machine interfaces, environmental chambers to breed extremophiles, enzymatic DNA synthesizer, so many possibilities!
Make it artistic
Something quirky, artistic and appealing. DNA11 makes personalized DNA portraits, even for pets. Giant Microbes makes stuffed dolls of microbes. Mont Blanc sells a pen with personalized ink, (although not yet personalized with a person’s DNA). What could you make?
Think: Etsy meets Bill Nye the Science Guy…
Application and Selection Process
The summer 2012 application period is now closed, please join our mailing list to find out about future rounds.
