Institute Programs

PROPEL

www.ibiopropel.org

Overview

PROPEL, a joint partnership of iBIO and the iBIO Institute, is a series of programs aimed at increasing the number of life sciences start-ups in Illinois and boosting the success rates of existing companies.  PROPEL and the PROPEL Entrepreneurship Center help guide the development of formation-stage and early-stage life sciences companies by providing entrepreneurs with access to specialized resources and expertise.  Industry, academia, service professionals, entrepreneurs, and government agencies connect to create and support a vibrant entrepreneurial community in Illinois and throughout the Midwest through PROPEL programs, including:

• The PROPEL Entrepreneurship Center
• Coaching
• Business Plan Presentation Panels
• Professional Services
• Workshops, Seminars and Educational Programs
• CEO Roundtables and Networking
• Technical Assistance
• Grants

The biotechnology industry in Illinois includes world-class research, management talent, an educated and trained workforce, state-of-the-art facilities, easy access to markets and scientific collaboration, and advanced services infrastructure. iBIO and the iBIO Institute created PROPEL in 2007 to develop these attributes into a self-aware, highly interactive community.

PROPEL is modeled on the best practices of several other programs around the United States including the San Diego CONNECT® Springboard program, which has been shown to dramatically improve start-up company success.

Past and current PROPEL participants include:

• Formation stage and early stage companies
• Industry segments within drugs, medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, consumable medical supplies, other healthcare-related products, biochemicals, and agricultural-biotech products and processes.