LabCentral
LabCentral is a nonprofit shared laboratory network operating six sites totaling 243,000 square feet in Kendall Square and Harvard, providing lab infrastructure, sponsor-funded programs, and accelerator services to approximately 100 early-stage life sciences and biotech startup teams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersHardwick, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What LabCentral does
LabCentral is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered at 700 Main Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It operates a six-site network spanning approximately 243,000 square feet across Kendall Square and the Harvard University campus, providing shared, fully permitted laboratory and office infrastructure, shared equipment, and operational support to approximately 100 early-stage life sciences and biotechnology startup teams. Its core products include LabCentral 700 (flagship), LabCentral 238 (process development and scale-up), Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge, and the Harvard-affiliated Pagliuca and Blavatnik Life Labs. LabCentral's revenue comes from three primary streams: month-to-month lab and office rental fees from resident companies, tiered sponsorship payments (Gold, Platinum, General) from pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, and grants from government and nonprofit funders such as the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
The organization differentiates itself from a typical coworking operator through a curated ecosystem model. A network of more than 70 sponsor organizations — including Bristol Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda, Lilly, Pfizer, Bayer, AbbVie, Ajinomoto, Servier, and Breakthrough T1D — funds programs such as Golden Tickets ($50,000 residency credits), the annual Ignite contest, and LabCentral First (six months of free bench space for first-time founders). LabCentral also runs the AI BioHub, a 2025-launched center of excellence co-developed with C10 Labs that combines wet lab infrastructure with AI-specific resources, a 10-week accelerator curriculum, and mentorship. Resident and alumni companies have cumulatively raised $21.85 billion in venture capital since 2013, catalyzed 7,915 jobs in Massachusetts, launched 171 clinical trials, and received 1,846 patents, with LabCentral-affiliated companies representing 10% of total US early-stage biopharma venture funding and 16% of Massachusetts early-stage funding. Recent strategic moves include international partnerships with Japan's Shonan iPark and Hong Kong's HKSTP, a 2025 CEO transition, and the addition of a Head of Science Strategy role.
LabCentral firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LabCentral
- Legal name
- Lab Central, Inc.
- Website
- https://labcentral.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- LabCentral is a nonprofit shared laboratory network operating six sites totaling 243,000 square feet in Kendall Square and Harvard, providing lab infrastructure, sponsor-funded programs, and accelerator services to approximately 100 early-stage life sciences and biotech startup teams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LabCentral industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biotech Lab Infrastructure and Incubator Services
- NAICS
- Facilities Support Services (5612), Facilities Support Services (56121)
- SIC
- Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lab Furniture, Facilities & Utilities (Benches, Casework, Gas/Water Systems) (HLAGAIAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI)
Keywords
Where LabCentral is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hardwick
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
LabCentral business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Lab and Office Space Rental: LabCentral provides month-to-month, fully functional lab and office spaces, permitting, waste handling, and equipment for biological R&D. Revenue is generated from bench and office rental fees charged to resident companies. Bench rates were reduced by over 25% for 2026 to support the community.
- Sponsorship Programs: Pharmaceutical and life sciences companies sponsor LabCentral at Gold, Platinum, and General tiers. Sponsors gain access to the startup ecosystem, Golden Ticket programs, mentorship opportunities, and networking. Notable sponsors include Sanofi (Gold), Daiichi Sankyo (Platinum), Ajinomoto (Gold), Bristol Myers Squibb (Platinum), AbbVie, Takeda, Lilly, Pfizer, and Bayer.
- Nonprofit Funding and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, LabCentral receives grant funding from organizations like the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), which provided a $1.9M Sector Spark Grant for the AI BioHub.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | LabCentral First - Free 6-month bench for first-time founders |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Golden Ticket - $50,000 credit for residency |
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Lab Bench and Office Space - Reduced 2026 rates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
LabCentral product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LabCentral operates a six-site network of fully permitted, ready-to-go shared lab and office facilities in Kendall Square, Cambridge and on the Harvard campus, providing month-to-month rental of lab benches and offices to early-stage life sciences and biotech startups. The offering includes shared equipment, permitting and waste handling, operational and facilities support, and access to a curated ecosystem of sponsors, mentors, and peers. Specialized programs layered on top of the physical infrastructure include the AI BioHub accelerator, sponsor-funded Golden Tickets, and the LabCentral First program for first-time founders.
Product overview
LabCentral is a nonprofit organization operating a network of six shared lab and office facilities across Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Harvard University campus, spanning over 243,000 square feet. The portfolio includes LabCentral 700 (flagship main location), LabCentral 238 (process development/scale-up), Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge, Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab, and Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab Longwood. Beyond physical lab space, LabCentral provides a comprehensive ecosystem including the AI BioHub (AI-biotech accelerator with C10 Labs), Golden Tickets ($50,000 sponsor-funded residency credits), LabCentral First (free lab space for first-time founders), Ignite Golden Tickets ($250,000 annual contest), Core Facilities network, Startup Programs, Pathway Programs (What the Heck is Biotech?, Biotech Blend X, Biotech Ready), and Gallery 1832. The organization supports early-stage life sciences companies with lab infrastructure, operational support, programming, and community to accelerate biotech innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AI BioHub: AI-biotech accelerator program run in partnership with C10 Labs offering labs, curriculum, mentorship, and infrastructure for AI-first biotech startups.
- LabCentral First
- Golden Tickets
- LabCentral 238
- Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge
- Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab
- Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab
- Loop Program
Products and services
- LabCentral 700 Main Street LabCentral's flagship site at 700 Main Street in Cambridge, MA, providing month-to-month, fully functional lab and office spaces, permitting, waste handling, and shared equipment for early-stage biotech startup R&D.
- LabCentral 238 Purpose-built facility at 238 Main Street in Cambridge, MA, designed for process development and scale-up, offering specialized infrastructure for startups advancing from discovery to larger-scale operations.
- Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge LabCentral-managed facility with programming curated for entrepreneurs and scientists, providing access to Bayer's ecosystem and specialized biotech support.
- Pagliuca Harvard Life Lab Harvard-affiliated biotech venture facility where Harvard-affiliated startups can access lab space and resources within the Harvard ecosystem.
- Blavatnik Harvard Life Lab R&D facility for Harvard-affiliated pre-seed and seed ventures, providing specialized lab infrastructure for early-stage life sciences companies.
- Core Facilities Network Premier network of core facilities providing access to specialized scientific equipment and expertise to amplify resident R&D capabilities.
- AI BioHub AI-biotech support program providing startups with labs, infrastructure, instrumentation for high-speed cell sorting, automated liquid handling, and network access to integrate artificial intelligence into biological discovery. Includes accelerator program co-led with C10 Labs.
- AI BioHub Accelerator Program 10-week accelerator program providing AI-specific curriculum (Business of Biotech to Generative AI and ML Ops), wet lab access, AI Fellows mentorship, and individualized industry mentorship for early-stage AI-biotech companies. First cohort of 13 teams raised over $8M collectively.
- LabCentral First Program offering eligible first-time biotech founders six months of free lab space at a single bench. Targets first-time founders, new arrivals to Massachusetts, or those pursuing underfunded novel areas of science. Up to 18 startups selected competitively.
- Golden Ticket Program Sponsor-funded residency opportunities providing selected startups with $50,000 in credits toward lab space and services at LabCentral facilities. Awarded by pharma sponsors including Bristol Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda, Lilly, Pfizer, Bayer, AbbVie, and Breakthrough T1D.
- Ignite Golden Ticket Contest Annual Golden Ticket contest awarding five $50,000 tickets totaling $250,000 in value, with winning companies receiving lab space credits plus a one-year fellowship program with expanded access to resources and networks. Co-sponsored by Bayer, Lilly, Pfizer, and Takeda.
Quantifiable outcome
- $1.25B raised by resident companies in 2025; $21.85B cumulative since 2013
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use LabCentral
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LabCentral technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability10 records
Feature4 records
LabCentral partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- HKSTP (Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks)coreHKSTP signed an MOU with LabCentral for cross-border startup support as part of HKSTP's largest-ever delegation to BIO 2026 in San Diego. The partnership aims to provide Hong Kong biotech startups access to the LabCentral ecosystem and Greater Boston biotech community.
- CKD PharmminorCKD Pharm held its 2026 Golden Ticket event at LabCentral in Boston, awarding the sponsorship to Arpelos Biosciences (AI-driven protein engineering for autoimmune diseases). Approximately 50 biotech startups applied, with three finalists competing. The Golden Ticket program serves as CKD Pharm's platform for identifying early-stage innovative technologies.
- SanofiflagshipSanofi joined LabCentral as a Gold Sponsor, hosting their inaugural Golden Ticket reception in January 2026. Sanofi outlined a four-pillar R&D vision (immunoscience, neuroscience, oncology, genomic medicine) and collaborative mechanisms including iAwards, Open Innovation Lab, and startup bridge programs. Sanofi will launch a Golden Ticket program and host office hours with resident startups.
- Bristol Myers SquibbflagshipBristol Myers Squibb sponsors LabCentral's Golden Ticket program as a Platinum Sponsor. BMS evaluates and awards $50,000 credits to early-stage biotech companies working in oncology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and neuroscience. Deck Bio and ReTrax Therapeutics were awarded 2025 BMS Golden Tickets.
- Shonan iPark (Japan)coreLabCentral partnered with Shonan iPark, Japan's first pharmaceutical-initiated science park, to offer selected Japanese startup teams a three-month residency program in Cambridge. Participants engage in executive educational programming and connect with the LabCentral ecosystem. LabCentral and Shonan iPark also co-host the Shonan Health Innovation Conference (SHIC) 2025 in Cambridge. Operated by iPark Institute Co., Ltd., backed by Takeda, IIF, and Mitsubishi Corporation.
- BioLabs and The EnginecoreLabCentral co-hosts the Boston Biotech Investor Day (BBID) with BioLabs and The Engine, now in its second year (2025). The Termeer Institute joined as a co-host. BBID features 48 early-stage companies, 90+ investors and pharma partners, entrepreneur pitches, and poster presentations. Reinforces Massachusetts as a global life sciences leader.
- Termeer InstitutecoreThe Termeer Institute joined as a co-host of Boston Biotech Investor Day 2025. The Termeer Institute empowers a diverse global community of life science innovators, aligning with LabCentral's mission to support the ecosystem around biotech entrepreneurs.
- Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)coreBreakthrough T1D partnered with LabCentral to launch a Golden Ticket competition specifically for companies working to treat or cure type 1 diabetes. The $50,000 award is Earmarked for Disease Modifying Therapies (DMT) and Cell Therapies (CT) in T1D. This is a first-of-its-kind partnership between LabCentral and a mission-driven nonprofit.
- Bayer, Lilly, Pfizer, Takeda (Ignite Golden Ticket Sponsors)coreBayer, Lilly, Pfizer, and Takeda co-sponsor LabCentral's annual Ignite Golden Ticket contest, awarding five $50,000 tickets totaling $250,000. Each winning company also receives a one-year fellowship program with access to resources and networks. The contest is in its fifth year (2025).
- ServiercoreServier expanded its Golden Ticket incubator program globally, partnering with LabCentral in Boston-Cambridge and BioLabs at Saclay in France (Spartners facility). Servier's program offers selected startups one-year incubation, lab facilities, researcher operating costs, and mentorship in oncology and neurology. LabCentral has awarded over 150 Golden Tickets worth $7.5M since 2017.
- C10 LabscoreLabCentral and C10 Labs co-developed the AI BioHub in Kendall Square, a center of excellence for AI-native biotech startups. C10 Labs co-leads multiple AI/bio cohorts, providing AI expertise, fractional AI engineers, cloud infrastructure, and venture studio methodology. The first cohort graduated 13 teams that raised over $8M collectively. The second cohort of 16 teams began in March 2026.
- Anna Marie Wagner (Strategic Advisor)minorAnna Marie Wagner, a leader at the intersection of AI and life sciences, joined LabCentral's AI BioHub as a strategic advisor. Previously an executive at Ginkgo Bioworks (led AI team and corporate development), she serves on boards of Owkin, Bioptimus, Lila Sciences, and others, and advises DARPA. Brings deep expertise in AI-native life sciences to the AI BioHub program.
- Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North AmericacoreAjinomoto Co., Inc. (via its subsidiary Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America) became a Gold Sponsor of LabCentral and a General Sponsor of LabCentral 238. The sponsorship aligns with Ajinomoto's AminoScience strategy and supports cell and gene therapy innovation. Ajinomoto engages with pioneering biotech entrepreneurs through the LabCentral ecosystem.
- AbbVieflagshipA five-year strategic partnership between BioLabs, LabCentral, MBC BioLabs, and AbbVie to foster early-stage innovation across the network. AbbVie sponsors Golden Tickets usable at LabCentral, MBC BioLabs, and BioLabs sites in the US, France, and Germany. Residents gain access to AbbVie Ventures investment, R&D expertise, mentorship, and networking events.
- Daiichi SankyoflagshipDaiichi Sankyo joined LabCentral as a Platinum Sponsor. Daiichi Sankyo recently introduced the Daiichi Sankyo Research Institute of Boston to collaborate with the local innovation ecosystem and is committed to building deeper partnerships with the Boston community for drug discovery.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LabCentral competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BioLabs: BioLabs is the most directly comparable peer — a global shared-lab coworking network also co-founded by Johannes Fruehauf. It operates sites across the US, France, Germany, and Japan with the same nonprofit-adjacent sponsor and Golden Ticket model (e.g., shared Servier and AbbVie partnerships). Both serve early-stage biotechs via subscription bench rentals plus sponsor-funded programming.
- MBC BioLabs: MBC BioLabs operates shared lab facilities in San Carlos and San Francisco with a model and sponsor overlap (joint AbbVie Golden Ticket partnership) nearly identical to LabCentral's. Targets the same early-stage biotech founder segment with subsidized bench space, equipment access, and pharma-sponsored residency programs.
- Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC): CIC is a major Cambridge-based coworking and innovation operator that co-hosts AI BioHub participants and provides office space to AI BioHub teams through its partnership with C10 Labs. While broader than biotech, it is a direct comparable in the Kendall Square coworking ecosystem for early-stage science and tech startups.
- Shonan iPark: Shonan iPark is Japan's first pharmaceutical-initiated science park (backed by Takeda) and LabCentral's partner for a 3-month Cambridge residency exchange. Operates a comparable shared lab and programming model for early-stage biotech startups, but primarily in Japan — making it both a peer and an international channel partner.
Regional players
- The Engine (MIT): The Engine is an MIT-affiliated tough-tech incubator co-hosting Boston Biotech Investor Day with LabCentral. It serves a partially overlapping resident base of science-based startups in Cambridge, including biotech, with venture funding and lab/office infrastructure similar to LabCentral's offering.
- QB3 (California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences): QB3 is a University of California-affiliated nonprofit that operates shared lab incubators (e.g., Bakar Labs, StartPad) supporting early-stage life sciences startups. Comparable mission-driven model providing subsidized lab space, equipment access, and entrepreneur support, but concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area rather than the Northeast.
- Cure (NYC life sciences hub): Cure is a New York City-based nonprofit life sciences campus offering shared lab space, programming, and an innovation hub for early-stage biotechs. Operates with a similar nonprofit-plus-sponsor model and targets the same early-stage resident segment, but serves the New York ecosystem rather than Cambridge.
Broad incumbents
- Alexandria Real Estate Equities: Alexandria is the dominant publicly traded REIT focused on Class A life sciences real estate in Kendall Square and the broader Cambridge cluster. LabCentral is an infrastructure tenant and partner of the broader Alexandria-anchored ecosystem, providing the operator/programming layer atop Alexandria-style lab buildings.
- Alexandria LaunchLabs: Alexandria LaunchLabs is Alexandria's own branded coworking/incubator space for early-stage life sciences companies in New York City and Cambridge. It competes for the same early-stage biotech resident pool and offers turnkey lab infrastructure with a different cost structure (for-profit REIT-backed).
- JLABS (Johnson & Johnson Innovation): JLABS is Johnson & Johnson's global network of life sciences incubators offering no-strings-attached lab space, equipment, and programming to early-stage biotech and pharma startups. Operates as a broad incumbent with overlapping value proposition (turnkey lab + sponsor-backed residency) across multiple geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LabCentral social profiles
Digital presenceLabCentral financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LabCentral leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
LabCentral funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LabCentral M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LabCentral
What does LabCentral do?
LabCentral operates a six-site network of fully permitted, ready-to-go shared lab and office facilities in Kendall Square, Cambridge and on the Harvard campus, providing month-to-month rental of lab benches and offices to early-stage life sciences and biotech startups. The offering includes shared equipment, permitting and waste handling, operational and facilities support, and access to a curated ecosystem of sponsors, mentors, and peers. Specialized programs layered on top of the physical infrastructure include the AI BioHub accelerator, sponsor-funded Golden Tickets, and the LabCentral First program for first-time founders.
Is LabCentral a public or private company?
LabCentral is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was LabCentral founded?
LabCentral was founded in 2013. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is LabCentral based?
LabCentral is headquartered in Hardwick, United States, in the North America region.
How does LabCentral make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lab and Office Space Rental is the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Programs and nonprofit Funding and Grants.
Who are LabCentral's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BioLabs, MBC BioLabs, Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) and Shonan iPark. Regional players are The Engine (MIT), QB3 (California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences) and Cure (NYC life sciences hub). Broad incumbents are Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Alexandria LaunchLabs and JLABS (Johnson & Johnson Innovation).
Does LabCentral have an API?
No public API is recorded for LabCentral.
What industry is LabCentral in?
LabCentral's product category is Biotech Lab Infrastructure and Incubator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAM, Lab Furniture, Facilities & Utilities (Benches, Casework, Gas/Water Systems), with a secondary code of EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs). Its NAICS code is 5612 and its SIC code is 3821.