The North of England Life Science Accelerator (NELSA) is being launched today and aims to offer seed funding for up to 10 early-stage projects for a maximum of 12 months. Tony McDonough reports.
Life science start-ups in the Liverpool city region are being urged to apply to join a new £500,000 business accelerator programme.
The North of England Life Science Accelerator (NELSA) is being launched today and aims to offer seed funding for up to 10 early-stage commercialisation projects for a maximum of 12 months.
Based at Alderley Park in Cheshire, the accelerator will allow participating businesses to carry out roof-of-concept research.
They will also be provided with additional support to help them achieve rapid growth, such as workshops, coaching and access to experienced mentors and industry leaders, as well as full use of the world-class facilities and equipment at Alderley Park.
NELSA has been set up by a group that features the Alderley Park life science campus, which is part of the Manchester Science Partnerships, BioCity, Catapult Ventures, Alderley Park Ventures, N8 Research Partnership, and the Northern Health Science Alliance.
It is being announced today at the fifth annual BioCap Conference held at Alderley Park Conference Centre.
Ned Wakeman, director of BioCity, which manages the BioHub at Alderley Park, said: “BioCity’s programmes have already proven highly successful in supporting the creation and growth of successful life science companies.
“Joining forces with great innovation originating from within N8 Research partnership, combined with clinical access and validation from within NHSA, and funding will help promising life sciences businesses bring great ideas to commercial reality.”
For more details visit: www.biocity.co.uk/accelerator or email nva@biohubatalderley.co.uk