2024 BioChallenge Competition announces Silicon Valley Bank as presenting sponsor
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is proud to announce Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, as presenting sponsor for the 2024 BioChallenge pitch competition, slated for Oct. 31, 2024. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the relaunch of the annual competition, aimed at fostering biotech innovation and promoting equitable health security solutions.
The BioChallenge pitch competition, a cornerstone event for NOBIC, invites researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups to present their groundbreaking ideas and technologies. This year's focus is on developing accessible medical countermeasures to address the public health and medical consequences of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, pandemic influenza and emerging infectious diseases.
"Silicon Valley Bank is proud to support the BioChallenge and the innovative entrepreneurs driving the future of health security. We believe in the power of innovation to transform lives and are excited to work with NOBIC to help bring these groundbreaking solutions to market," said Christopher Hollins, Head of Global Product Sales, Strategy and Design, at Silicon Valley Bank.
The BioChallenge is not just a competition; it's a platform for breakthrough ideas that have the potential to revolutionize our nation’s health security posture. The BioChallenge pitch competition will be held at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center in downtown New Orleans, following BIO on the BAYOU, an academic biotechnology research symposium.
"We are thrilled to relaunch the 2024 BioChallenge, a NOBIC signature event that has produced many local and national success stories. With Silicon Valley Bank on board as a major partner, we are confident that this year’s competition will reach new heights, showcasing innovative solutions that focus on access and equity," said Kris Khalil, Executive Director of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center and Managing Director of BioFund.
The BioChallenge pitch competition will be held at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center in downtown New Orleans Oct. 31, 2024, following BIO on the BAYOU, an academic biotechnology research symposium. The event is free and open to the public, registration is available here.
Past finalists and winners of the BioChallenge include local biotech trailblazers such as Instapath, Axosim, Junum, Obatala Sciences and BioAesthetics. This year's winners' total prize pool, supported by multiple stakeholders, is over $100,000 and growing.
Learn more about the BioChallenge here. Learn more about Silicon Valley Bank here.
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About New Orleans BioInnovation Center: The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (“NOBIC”) is a nonprofit business incubator focused on advancing life science entrepreneurship and technology commercialization in Louisiana. The mission of NOBIC is to create a successful biotech ecosystem by providing emerging companies with customized commercialization services, premier facilities, and a comprehensive support network. Through relationships with research institutions, economic development organizations, and industry stakeholders, NOBIC helps its clients de-risk novel technologies, attract funding, and improve global health outcomes. For more information, visit neworleansbio.com/.
About Silicon Valley Bank: Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank, is the bank of some of the world’s most innovative companies and investors. SVB provides commercial banking to companies in the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity and venture capital industries. SVB operates in centers of innovation throughout the United States, serving the unique needs of its dynamic clients with deep sector expertise, insights and connections. SVB’s parent company, First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCNCA ), is a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $200 billion in assets. First Citizens Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at svb.com
About BIO on the BAYOU: BIO on the BAYOU, the premier biotechnology conference for the broader Gulf South region spotlights cutting-edge biotech advancements from universities and start-ups located in Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Puerto Rico. Notable presenters included Dr. Monica Embers of Tulane University, who discussed a new diagnostic platform for improved Lyme disease testing, and Dr. Michael Dunham of LSU Health New Orleans, who described his novel tumor margin device. Multiple academic startups also presented, including BioAesthetics, Chosen Diagnostics, Informuta, and PainVox.