Start Codon is now accepting applications from early stage start-up companies in the life sciences and healthcare space, and these are invited to apply

Start Codon, a life science and healthcare business accelerator based in Cambridge, UK, has announced that it has closed Start Codon Fund I LP (the “Fund”) at £15 million. The Fund will be used to support Start Codon’s offering to start-ups, which includes a minimum of £250K seed funding, business support services, expert guidance, and access to cutting-edge office and lab facilities. Limited Partner ("LP") investors in the Fund include Novartis International AG and Cambridge Innovation Capital.

In addition to their investment in the Fund, Novartis will work together with Start Codon and its founders to select exceptional technologies and entrepreneurs to join the Start Codon business acceleration programme, which aims to translate early-stage research into successful companies, ready for funding and partnership. Novartis will also provide support and mentoring to the founders of the start-up companies, and opportunities for partnering as their research evolves.

Founded in 2019 with investment and support from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Cambridge Innovation Capital, the Babraham Research Campus through Babraham Bioscience Technologies, Dr Jonathan Milner and Dr Ian Tomlinson, Start Codon plans to invest in and support up to 50 start-up companies over the next five years. Start Codon showcased its first cohort of companies in June and recently enrolled its second cohort of start-ups.

Dr Michael Anstey, Partner at Cambridge Innovation Capital, said: “This venture fund will provide start-ups with the opportunity to kick start their development and will bring novel and innovative ideas to commercialisation. We are delighted to have supported Start Codon since its inception and are excited to see it act as an important facilitator in creating success in Cambridge and throughout the UK.”

Dr Jason Mellad, Co-founder and CEO at Start Codon, said: “This venture fund is part of our strategy to provide our entrepreneurs with the funding they need for start-up costs, such as in-licencing of IP, recruitment, and proof of concept studies. In addition, we provide the opportunity to network and learn from the most successful industry leaders in our sector. With both Genentech and Novartis on board to support our cohort companies in their development, and potentially provide opportunities for commercial partnerships in the future, we are extremely well-positioned to nurture and commercialise the next generation of world-class healthcare companies, which we hope will positively impact many patient’s lives.”

Start Codon is now accepting applications for its next cohort of companies and early stage start-up companies in the life sciences and healthcare space are invited to apply.

Learn more | Apply here

About Start Codon

Start Codon is a new model of life science and healthcare business accelerator, and the first in Cambridge, UK to provide companies with a combination of business support services, seed funding, facilities, mentoring and access to a dedicated team and network of industry leading contacts. The hands-on support provided by the Start Codon team includes company formation and set-up, license negotiations, fundraising, IP strategy, marketing and PR, and recruitment and HR.

Founding investors in Start Codon include Cambridge Innovation Capital, the Babraham Research Campus through Babraham Bioscience Technologies, Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, Dr Jonathan Milner and Dr Ian Tomlinson.

Founded to identify ideas that have the potential to impact the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of disease, and support their development to successful Series A funding, Start Codon aims to revolutionise the way life science and healthcare innovation is commercialised, de-risking investment opportunities and developing companies that are built to succeed globally.

About Cambridge Innovation Capital 

Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) is a leading venture investor in Cambridge backing and building category-leading deep tech and life sciences companies. CIC currently manages £275 million and has invested in 30+ companies. CIC is also a preferred investor for the University of Cambridge, Europe’s top source of founders for venture-backed start-ups.

Cambridge Innovation Capital Manager Limited (FRN:918898) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.