HiveBio

What HiveBio does

HiveBio is a virtual accelerator program that supports first-time life science founders from underrepresented backgrounds, including founders who identify as BIPOC, first-generation, women, nonbinary, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, or immigrant. Founded in 2023 and publicly launched in January 2025, the program operates virtually from the Greater Philadelphia area and is owned by HelaPlex Co. Its inaugural cohort (Cohort 1) comprises 10 startups spanning therapeutics, medical devices, digital health, and biotech supply chain. HiveBio delivers services through a cloud-based all-in-one platform that integrates scheduling for mentor sessions, gamified learning for pitch deck development, messaging tools, and a deal room for business document creation. Curriculum is co-developed with WorldUpstart Impacts and TurboSBIR, and the program offers mentorship, investor discovery, pitch deck coaching, SBIR/STTR application support, and fundraising facilitation.

HiveBio does not charge participating startups; its Cohort 1 was made possible at no cost to participants via a $250,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The company is co-founded by Dr. Tia Lyles-Williams (HelaPlex) and Becky Beattie (LaunchBio CEO), with operational support from WorldUpstart and a distributed mentor network. Partnerships with MilliporeSigma, BioLabs Philadelphia, PACT, TurboSBIR, LBV Ventures, gen8tor, Higgs Insights, and the Greater Philadelphia Precision Medicine Tech Hub extend its reach. As of December 2025, 80% of Cohort 1 companies had secured external funding, collectively raising $3.56M+, and 5 of 10 had been selected to pitch at the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference. HiveBio's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, anchored in partner amplification through LaunchBio's 18,000+ innovator community.

Name

HiveBio

Legal name

HiveBio

Website

https://hivebio.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HiveBio is a virtual accelerator program supporting first-time life science founders from underrepresented backgrounds in the Greater Philadelphia area, delivering mentorship, investor access, and SBIR/STTR support to early-stage biotech startups at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Life science accelerator
• Biotech startup mentorship
• Investor pitch development
• SBIR grant support
• Biotech founder services

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: HiveBio is funded through grants and philanthropic support rather than revenue from portfolio companies. The inaugural cohort was made possible at no cost to participants thanks to a $250,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The program is the result of collaboration between HelaPlex, LaunchBio, and WorldUpstart. HiveBio does not charge participating startups for accelerator services.
2. Program Support Services (in-kind): HiveBio provides virtual accelerator services including mentorship, investor access, and commercialization support at no cost to cohort participants, funded through grant funding from foundations and partners. The program serves as a catalyst for change by empowering minority-owned life science startups.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HiveBio runs a virtual accelerator program for first-time life science founders from underrepresented backgrounds, delivering cohort-based mentorship, investor pitch development, SBIR/STTR grant application support, fundraising coaching, and commercialization guidance through an all-in-one cloud platform. The program serves selected early-stage biotech, medical device, digital health, and biotech supply chain startups at no cost to participants, funded through grants and partner support.

Product overview

HiveBio is a virtual accelerator program that serves as a first-of-its-kind platform built by and for underserved life science founders. The company does not offer a traditional SaaS product but rather provides a structured accelerator service encompassing mentorship, investor narrative development, fundraising support, and peer networking. The program supports 10 portfolio companies across therapeutics (Ajaya Bio, Bound Therapeutics, Higher Medicine, Trevarx Biomedical, Valfard Therapeutics), medical devices (BioLattice, Cerespectus, DRS.LINQ, Vasowatch), and biotech software/infrastructure (QuneUp). The accelerator's core offering includes investor pitch deck development, SBIR/STTR grant application support, and connectivity to a growing network of biotech founders and investors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HiveBio Virtual Accelerator Program A cohort-based virtual accelerator program providing expert mentorship, investor pitch deck development, investor discovery, financial projection support, SBIR/STTR grant application assistance, one-on-one commercialization guidance, and access to a network of biotech founders, operators, and investors for first-time life science founders from underrepresented backgrounds. Delivered via an all-in-one cloud platform with scheduling, gamification, mentor messaging, and a deal room. Cohort 1 includes 10 startups across therapeutics, medical devices, digital health, and biotech supply chain.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Cohort 1 startups successfully secured external funding during or after the program
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• BioLabs (Philadelphia)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025BioLabs for Advanced Therapeutics Philadelphia hosted HiveBio's first-ever Investor Showcase in their newly expanded 8th floor space. BioLabs also hosted the 2025 Investor Day where BioLattice won Startup of the Year. BioLabs provides wet lab space and serves as a hub for the Philadelphia life science startup ecosystem, partnering with HiveBio to elevate portfolio company visibility.
• Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies (PACT)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 October 2025PACT hosted the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Capital Conference where five HiveBio portfolio companies were selected to pitch on stage. PACT is one of the region's biggest gatherings for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, providing high-visibility pitching opportunities for HiveBio startups.
• MilliporeSigmaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 September 2025MilliporeSigma (Sigma-Aldrich) served as the presenting sponsor of HiveBio's first-ever Investor Showcase on December 3, 2025. The event brought together investors, industry leaders, mentors, and community partners in a sold-out event hosted at BioLabs. MilliporeSigma's sponsorship demonstrates commitment to empowering early-stage biotech companies and inclusive innovation.
• LaunchBio (Investor Showcase Co-Host)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 September 2025LaunchBio co-hosted HiveBio's first-ever investor showcase with HiveBio, presenting the inaugural cohort of 10 biotech startups to investors, industry leaders, and community partners on December 3, 2025.
• HelaPlexcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025HelaPlex co-founded HiveBio and is the parent company (HiveBio is owned by HelaPlex Co.). HelaPlex brings life sciences industry expertise to the program and provides operational infrastructure. HelaPlex is led by Dr. Tia Lyles-Williams, HiveBio's Founder and Chief Innovation Officer.
• LaunchBiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025LaunchBio powers HiveBio's branding and marketing while integrating their community of 18,000+ life science innovators into the program. LaunchBio CEO Becky Beattie co-founded HiveBio and serves as Chief Communications Officer. LaunchBio co-hosted the inaugural Investor Showcase and webinar introducing Cohort 1.
• WorldUpstart ImpactscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025WorldUpstart provides curriculum development and global startup recruitment for HiveBio. As a collaboration partner, WorldUpstart contributes expertise in accelerator programming and startup ecosystem development. HiveBio is also described as powered by WorldUpstart Impacts.
• TurboSBIRcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 January 2025TurboSBIR offers SBIR/STTR grant writing support to help HiveBio founders secure crucial non-dilutive funding. This partnership is integrated into HiveBio's service offerings, providing specialized guidance for navigating the SBIR/STTR application process.
• LBV VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025LBV Ventures guides HiveBio founders through angel/VC fundraising processes and facilitates partnerships with Big Pharma for licensing opportunities. LBV Ventures contributes to the program's fundraising and business development support capabilities.
• gen8torminorStrategic or Co-development Partnergen8tor is listed as a HiveBio partner on the company's website partner section. gen8tor is a national accelerator and startup support organization that aligns with HiveBio's mission to support diverse founders.
• Higgs InsightsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHiggs Insights is listed as a HiveBio partner on the company's website partner section. Higgs Insights provides market intelligence and insights that support the HiveBio accelerator's mission.
• Greater Philadelphia Precision Medicine Tech Hub (EDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Greater Philadelphia Precision Medicine Tech Hub, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), is listed as a HiveBio partner. This designation supports the regional tech and innovation ecosystem in which HiveBio operates.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• BioGenerator: St. Louis-based life sciences startup creator and accelerator that supports early-stage biotech and healthcare ventures with mentorship, funding, and lab space — directly comparable in cohort-based life sciences acceleration.
• Camelback Ventures: Accelerator and venture fund specifically focused on underrepresented founders, particularly BIPOC entrepreneurs. Directly comparable DEI-first accelerator mission and cohort structure, though not life sciences-specific.
• Springboard Enterprises: Accelerator/venture catalyst focused on women-led technology and life sciences companies. Comparable cohort model and fundraising focus; serves as peer for HiveBio's woman-founder portfolio companies.
• LaunchBio: Life sciences-focused community and programming organization whose CEO co-founded HiveBio. Operates overlapping programs (e.g., Larger Than Life Science) supporting biotech entrepreneurs and serves as a peer channel to founders.
• gener8tor: National accelerator network with explicit focus on diverse, underrepresented founders. Listed HiveBio partner; runs cohort-based programs with comparable mentorship and investor access mechanics across multiple verticals.
• MBC BioLabs: San Francisco/Bay Area biotech incubator offering lab space, mentorship, and accelerator-style programming for early-stage life sciences startups — directly comparable in serving the same founder demographic with shared lab/partner infrastructure.
• IndieBio: Leading life sciences/biotech accelerator that runs cohort-based programs for early-stage science startups. IndieBio is the closest direct peer to HiveBio in mission and structure, though it operates globally and is not specifically DEI-focused.

Broad incumbents

• Newlab: Innovation hub supporting early-stage companies in advanced technology, including life sciences and biotech. Operates cohort/accelerator-style programs for venture-ready startups with shared infrastructure.
• Y Combinator (Biotech Track): Largest global startup accelerator with an increasingly active biotech/life sciences track. Represents the broad incumbent against which specialized accelerators like HiveBio must differentiate, particularly on DEI focus and life-sciences-specific mentorship.
• BioLabs: National network of shared lab/coworking spaces for biotech startups that hosts investor days, pitch events, and accelerator-style programming. Hosts HiveBio's Investor Showcase and serves as a broader incumbent in life sciences startup infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hivebio-accelerator
• Instagraminstagram.com/hive.bio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HiveBio