BioInnovation Institute

What BioInnovation Institute does

BioInnovation Institute (BII) is a Copenhagen-based non-profit life science and deep tech accelerator founded in 2018 and funded primarily by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Its mission is to accelerate research and startups from academia to business across human health, planetary health, and societal resilience sectors. BII operates a platform-plus-programs architecture spanning four core accelerator programs: Venture Lab (a 12-month early-stage program offering up to DKK 4 million / EUR 500,000 in convertible loan funding), Bio Studio (a 3-year academic translation program offering up to DKK 5.35 million / EUR 720,000 per year, with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence driving spin-out creation), Quantum Lab (a 6-month program in collaboration with NATO DIANA providing EUR 100,000 contractual funding for dual-use quantum technology startups), and the recently launched AI Lab (a EUR 7 million Danish Industry Foundation-backed platform for AI commercialisation). The institute also operates Upscalator (EUR 25 million) for biosolutions scaling and CardioMetabolic Bridge (EUR 60.2 million over six years) for cardiometabolic drug discovery, with the latter expanding into London, Italy, and Germany.

BII's underlying infrastructure comprises over 2,600 square meters of laboratory space in Copenhagen's Innovation District, including GMO 1 classified general labs (1,200 sqm), GMO 1 special labs covering DNA/RNA, microscopy, fermentation, analytical, and cell labs (900 sqm), GMO 2 classified cell labs, and a 3D printing and prototyping workshop, alongside 1,400 square meters of plug-and-play open office space. Lab benches are rented to startups and corporates at DKK 19,500 per month with shared equipment, basic consumables, cold storage, and 24/7 access included.

BII's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: the Novo Nordisk Foundation provides the vast majority of capital through multi-year commitments (DKK 5.5 billion for 2026-2035 alone), supplemented by co-investment from Novo Holdings, Lazio Innova, and Panakès Partners for specific vehicles such as the BII Catalyst Fund I for Italy (EUR 20 million+ first close in July 2026). Lab and office rentals provide a modest secondary revenue stream. To date, BII has supported 142 startups with EUR 145 million in funding, and those companies have collectively attracted more than EUR 1.1 billion (DKK 7 billion+) in external investment. Notable exits include Embark Biotech, which was acquired by Novo Nordisk.

Name

BioInnovation Institute

Legal name

BioInnovation Institute

Website

https://bii.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

BioInnovation Institute is a Copenhagen-based non-profit life science and deep tech accelerator, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, that runs Venture Lab, Bio Studio, Quantum Lab, and AI Lab programs providing non-dilutive funding, laboratory infrastructure, and mentorship to early-stage startups across human health, planetary health, and societal resilience.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Life Science and Deep Tech Accelerator/Incubator

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Accelerators & Incubators (Investor-Operated) (FSANAAAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD), Process Development & Tech Transfer Services (upstream/downstream) (HLAAAKAF), mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC), Clinical Trial Informatics (EDC/CTMS/eCOA/eTMF) (HLAGAJAM), Foundation Model Developers (LLM/Multimodal Model Labs) (HDAAACAA), Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI), Life Sciences & Biotechnology Congresses (THAHAJAB)

Keywords

• Life science accelerator
• Biotech incubation programs
• Startup funding programs
• Laboratory infrastructure services
• Academic-to-business translation

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Novo Nordisk Foundation Grants: BII operates as a non-profit organization primarily funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The foundation has committed DKK 5.5 billion (approximately €736 million) from 2026 to 2035, representing one of the largest philanthropic commitments to life science innovation in the Nordic region.
2. Lab & Office Space Rental: BII generates revenue through renting plug-and-play laboratory benches and office space to startups and corporates. Lab benches are priced at DKK 19,500 per month with full support services included.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

BioInnovation Institute is a Copenhagen-based non-profit life science and deep tech accelerator that runs multi-stage programs (Venture Lab, Bio Studio, Quantum Lab, AI Lab, Upscalator, CardioMetabolic Bridge) and rents plug-and-play laboratory and office space to support startups from early-stage acceleration through scaling. It provides non-dilutive and convertible-loan funding, state-of-the-art GMO-classified lab infrastructure, mentorship, Entrepreneur-in-Residence support, and access to a curated investor and industry network.

Product overview

BioInnovation Institute (BII) is a Copenhagen-based non-profit innovation hub funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation that operates a platform-plus-programs architecture for life science and deep tech startups. The core offering comprises four accelerator programs: Venture Lab (1-year early-stage program with up to DKK 4M funding), Bio Studio (3-year program for academic spin-out creation with up to DKK 5.35M per year), Quantum Lab (6-month NATO DIANA partnership program with EUR 100K funding), and AI Lab (AI commercialisation platform with €7M funding). These programs are complemented by Upscalator (€25M biosolutions scaling initiative) and CardioMetabolic Bridge (€60.2M pan-European cardiometabolic research network). BII also provides physical lab and office infrastructure at its Copenhagen location. The institute has supported 142 companies with €145M in funding, which have collectively raised approximately €1.1B in external investments across human health, planetary health, and societal resilience sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Venture Lab A 12-month acceleration program for early-stage life science and biotech startups that addresses early-stage technical and commercial risks while developing resilient founders. Provides up to DKK 4M (~€500,000) in convertible loan funding along with access to BII's laboratory infrastructure, mentorship, entrepreneurial training, and investor network connections. Designed for early-stage startups in human health, planetary health, and societal resilience.
• Bio Studio A 3-year program supporting world-class entrepreneurial academic researchers in translating academic research into innovative products and solutions. Provides up to DKK 5.35M (~€720,000) per year for up to three years, hires the project team at BII, pairs each project with an Entrepreneur in Residence who drives company creation, and provides access to BII's acceleration platform, industry and investment networks, and community events. Spin-out companies are typically formed after 2 years.
• Quantum Lab A 6-month program supporting early-stage quantum technology startups in collaboration with NATO DIANA. Provides contractual funding of EUR 100,000 and access to a NATO-wide network within Defence, Security & Resilience, alongside dual-use technology validation pathways. Eligible companies must be headquartered in a NATO country and address one of NATO's Emerging and Disruptive Technology areas with civilian and military dual-use potential.
• Lab & Office Space Plug-and-play office and laboratory space for innovative startups and corporates in Copenhagen's Innovation District. Plans include dedicated lab benches in shared labs (GMO 1 general and special labs covering DNA/RNA, microscopy, fermentation, analytical, and cell labs; GMO 2 classified cell labs; 3D printing and prototyping lab) with access to shared equipment, basic consumables, cold storage, glass wash and autoclaving, and lab coat supply. Pricing for a single lab bench is DKK 19,500 per month with two 24/7 access cards included.
• Upscalator A €25 million initiative helping biosolutions startups scale from laboratory to production scale. Provides access to advisory services, process design facilities, service provider networks, funding vehicles, and a community network. The program targets the critical gap between laboratory validation and commercial scaling, aiming to cut up to one year off typical startup scaling timelines for European biosolutions startups working on the green transition.
• CardioMetabolic Bridge A pan-European research incubator network funded with €60.2M over six years to translate academic discoveries in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic disease into drug development projects. Managed by BII from Copenhagen, with the first site opening in London (June 2026) followed by sister hubs in Italy and Germany. Aims to support around 30 projects across the six-year horizon.
• AI Lab An innovation platform supporting the commercialization of artificial intelligence research and early-stage AI startups in Denmark, backed by €7M (DKK 60M) from the Danish Industry Foundation. Provides selected startups with non-dilutive financial support, access to datasets, computing infrastructure, and connections to potential customers, addressing the gap between Denmark's strong digital infrastructure and slower AI adoption within Danish industry.
• BII Catalyst Fund I for Italy An investment fund dedicated to supporting Italian therapeutic startups in early stages, with first close exceeding €20M. Led by Lazio Innova (€20M through Lazio Venture 2) with co-investors Novo Holdings (€5M) and Panakès Partners. The fund leverages BII's innovation platform for startup scouting and selection and bridges the funding gap between scientific discovery and the maturity required for later-stage international capital in Italy's biotech sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• 142 startups supported to date with €145M total BII funding
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• Cambridge EnterpriseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Technology transfer arm of University of Cambridge collaborating on Leaps programme to help Cambridge start-ups access new markets, talent, and investment worldwide. BII Foundation is one of the global partners selecting companies for London debut.
• Balderton CapitalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Global venture capital firm collaborating as partner on Cambridge Enterprise's Leaps programme to help start-ups access markets and investment.
• Phoenix CourtminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 June 2026Partner in Cambridge Enterprise's Leaps programme for helping Cambridge start-ups access global markets and investment.
• Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Australian research institution partnering with QIMR Berghofer and Danish institutions backed by BII and Novo Nordisk Foundation to launch Ibnova Therapeutics for stem cell-based heart disease treatments.
• QIMR BerghoferminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2026Australian research institute collaborating on Ibnova Therapeutics launch with MCRI and Danish institutions backed by BII and Novo Nordisk Foundation for stem cell therapies for heart disease.
• NATO DIANAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration for Quantum Lab program supporting early-stage quantum technology startups. Companies must be headquartered in NATO countries and address NATO Emerging and Disruptive Technology areas with dual-use potential for civilian and military applications.
• UC DavisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Collaboration to improve protein nutrition on a global scale through joint innovation efforts between UC Davis and BioInnovation Institute.
• MITminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2024Collaboration with MIT and UNC to support new Bio Studio project, expanding BII's academic translation reach to top US research institutions.
• UNC (University of North Carolina)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2024Collaboration with MIT and BII to support new Bio Studio project for translating academic research into innovative products and solutions.
• Ferring International Center S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Strategic partnership with BII Holdings A/S to accelerate innovation in women's health and reproductive medicine. Aims to address historical underinvestment in female-specific healthcare areas through support for early-stage projects and startups.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• IndieBio: IndieBio is the world's largest life science accelerator, running multi-month programs that provide seed funding, lab space, and mentorship to biology-driven startups. It is the most direct comparator to BII's Venture Lab and Bio Studio programs given its similar thesis of converting scientific discoveries into fundable companies.
• Mass Challenge: Mass Challenge is a global non-profit accelerator running equity-free programs for early-stage startups across sectors including health and biotech. It is comparable to BII in non-dilutive funding model, cohort structure, and global mentor network, though it lacks BII's specialized wet-lab facilities.

Broad incumbents

• SOSV: SOSV is the parent venture capital firm of IndieBio and HAX, running multiple vertical-specific accelerator programs (biotech, hardware, climate) globally. It is comparable to BII as a multi-program life science and deep tech accelerator with proprietary lab infrastructure and a venture fund attached.
• JLABS (Johnson & Johnson Innovation): JLABS is a global network of life science innovation hubs operated by Johnson & Johnson, offering lab space, equipment, and mentorship to early-stage biotech startups. It is comparable to BII's plug-and-play lab infrastructure model, though corporate-backed rather than foundation-backed and focused on therapeutic areas aligned with J&J.
• Y Combinator: Y Combinator is the world's largest startup accelerator, with a growing biotech vertical (YC Bio) offering standard seed funding and mentorship to life science founders. It is a partial comparator given shared accelerator mechanics, but is software-first and lacks BII's dedicated wet-lab infrastructure and non-dilutive grant funding.
• MaRS Discovery District: MaRS is a large urban innovation hub in Toronto supporting science, health, and tech startups with lab space, mentorship, and capital network access. It shares BII's model of combining physical lab infrastructure with a venture ecosystem, though at significantly larger scale and broader sector focus.
• Techstars: Techstars is a global accelerator network running sector-specific programs including Techstars Healthcare and life science partnerships. It shares the accelerator DNA with BII but is venture-backed and provides smaller equity-for-funding structures rather than the non-dilutive grants that characterize BII's model.

Regional players

• Karolinska Institutet Innovations: Karolinska Institutet Innovations is the technology transfer and venture arm of Sweden's Karolinska Institute, supporting academic spin-outs in life sciences. It is comparable to BII's Bio Studio program in translating academic research into companies, though operating in a different Nordic geography.
• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus located in Paris, hosting a health and biotech program with office and lab space for early-stage companies. It is comparable as a European innovation hub offering physical infrastructure to startups, though it operates more as a real-estate-plus-community platform than a deep-tech accelerator with funding.

Emerging players

• Apollo Therapeutics: Apollo Therapeutics is a UK-based translational biotech venture firm backed by AstraZeneca, GSK, and the British government that funds and develops early-stage therapeutic programs from academia. It is a partial comparator to BII's Bio Studio given its academic-to-commercial translation thesis in European life sciences.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bioinnovation-institute
• Xx.com/BioCPH
• Facebookfacebook.com/BioInnovationInstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

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

M&A

Investments86 records

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

Frequently asked questions about BioInnovation Institute