Life sciences startups across the North are set for a boost with the launch of a new £500k accelerator.
The North of England Life Science Accelerator (NELSA) was announced at the fifth annual BioCap Conference, held this week (September 29) at the multi-million pound Alderley Park science campus in Cheshire.
Set-up by a group featuring science park operator Manchester Science Partnerships, bioscience incubation centre BioCity, investment firms Catapult Ventures and Alderley Park Ventures (APV), university collaboration N8 Research Partnership and the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA), the accelerator will be anchored at Alderley Park.
NELSA will aim to support young life science businesses across the North by providing seed funding for up to 10 early-stage commercialisation projects for a maximum of 12 months.
It is hoped that the cash would allow businesses to carry out proof-of-concept research, but eligible firms will also be offered additional support such as workshops, coaching and mentors.
Further, companies will be given access to the facilities and equipment at Alderley Park.
To be eligible, startups must work in the fields of life sciences and healthcare, covering areas such as diagnostics, therapeutics, devices and digital.
All accelerator applications must be submitted by January 31 2017.
Read more at bdaily.co.uk