Biotechnology Institute
The Biotechnology Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C. that runs the BioGENEius Challenge and related bioSTEM education programs for U.S. grades 3-12 students, funded by corporate sponsorships and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Biotechnology Institute does
The Biotechnology Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C. that operates a portfolio of biotechnology-focused STEM education programs for U.S. students in grades 3-12. Its flagship is the BioGENEius Challenge, a national high-school research competition with three tracks (Global Healthcare, Global Sustainability, Global Environment) whose finals are held at major industry events such as the BioFuture Conference. The Institute supplements the Challenge with BioDiversity (a 12-week afterschool bioSTEM program for underserved grades 3-8 students), the Writing Intensive Workshop (a 36-week hybrid program culminating in peer-reviewed student publication), and BioGENEius Innovators (a women's mentoring retreat). It also administers annual Leadership Awards (Hall of Fame, Mentor, BioSTEM Leader).
Program delivery runs through a network of 13+ state partner organizations (e.g., California Life Sciences, iBIO, IowaBio, BioME, NCSAS, Harrisburg University, Virginia Bioscience Foundation), an At-Large virtual competition for students outside partner geographies, and a parallel Canadian BioGENEius Challenge. The organization is led by President Quinta Jackson and operates with a 1-10 person staff.
The Institute generates revenue entirely through corporate sponsorships, grants, and individual donations via the GiveButter platform; programs are free to student participants. Named corporate sponsors include Johnson & Johnson (BioDiversity Winter Institute) and Amgen (Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge), and the Institute is actively soliciting additional 2026 sponsors in Healthcare, AgBio (sustainability), and Industrial/Environmental Biotechnology. There are no publicly disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or parent-company ownership; the Institute is an independent charitable entity affiliated with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), a co-founder.
Biotechnology Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Biotechnology Institute
- Legal name
- Biotechnology Institute
- Website
- https://biotechinstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Biotechnology Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1998 in Washington, D.C. that runs the BioGENEius Challenge and related bioSTEM education programs for U.S. grades 3-12 students, funded by corporate sponsorships and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Biotechnology Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM / Biotechnology Education
- NAICS
- All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC)
Keywords
Where Biotechnology Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Biotechnology Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Corporate Sponsorships: The primary revenue stream comes from corporate sponsors who provide financial support to sustain programs, national reach, and new opportunities. Sponsors include biotechnology companies that fund specific programs and receive prescribed and customizable deliverables. The Institute is actively seeking new corporate sponsors for 2026 in Healthcare, AgBio (sustainability) and Industrial/Environmental Biotechnology.
- Donations and Patron Support: Individual donations from patrons who support the Institute's mission. The Biotechnology Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and gifts are tax-deductible as provided by law. Donations can be made through GiveButter platform.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Biotechnology Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Biotechnology Institute delivers biotechnology-focused educational programs and competitions for students in grades 3-12. Its offerings span a continuum that includes the flagship BioGENEius research competition, the BioDiversity after-school STEM enrichment program, the BioGENEius Innovators program, and the Writing Intensive Workshop. Programs are delivered free to student participants through a network of state partners and at international venues including the BIO International Convention.
Product overview
The Biotechnology Institute operates a portfolio of STEM education programs centered on biotechnology awareness and workforce development. The core flagship product is the BioGENEius Challenge series, a national science competition for high school students (grades 9-12) featuring three specialized tracks: Global Healthcare, Global Sustainability, and Global Environment. Supporting programs include BioDiversity (grades 3-8 afterschool bioSTEM education), Writing Intensive Workshop (36-week scientific writing program), and BioGENEius Innovators (women's mentoring retreat). The portfolio also includes annual Leadership Awards (BioGENEius Hall of Fame, Mentor Award, BioSTEM Leader Award) and the Gene Pool spontaneous competition. Programs serve students nationwide through a network of state partners and an At-Large virtual competition pathway.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BioGENEius Challenge: The flagship program of the Biotechnology Institute providing high school students with opportunities to compete and be recognized for outstanding research in biotechnology. Includes Global Healthcare, Global Sustainability, and Global Environment challenge tracks.
- BioDiversity
- BioGENEius Innovators
- Writing Intensive Workshop
- Journal of the Biotechnology Institute
- BioGENEius Hall of Fame Award
- BioGENEius Mentor Award
- BioSTEM Leader Award
Products and services
- BioGENEius Challenge
- BioDiversity
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 25 years of experience engaging young minds in biotechnology
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Biotechnology Institute
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Biotechnology Institute technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
Biotechnology Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- BioFuture Conference / CURE Innovation CampuscoreHost venue for 2024 BioGENEius Challenge competition. Held at CURE Innovation Campus in New York City from October 28-30, 2024. Finalists participated, meeting industry leaders, touring labs, and attending sessions.
- Johnson & JohnsoncoreCorporate sponsor of the inaugural 2020 BioDiversity Winter Institute. Students enrolled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Camden City/East Orange communities of New Jersey. Sponsor enables delivery of bioSTEM education program to underserved communities.
- California Life Sciences (CLS)coreCalifornia Life Sciences conducts the Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge, sponsored by Amgen. Recognizes outstanding high school research in the San Francisco Bay Area. First-place winner advances to compete in the International BioGENEius Challenge. Competition held at Amgen in South San Francisco with up to 28 students selected.
- Southern California Biomedical Council (SoCalBio)coreSoCalBio conducts the Southern California BioGENEius Challenge. The trade organization represents more than 900 bioscience companies in the 5 county Greater Los Angeles area. Draws students from all southern California. Finalist chosen from annual California Science & Engineering Fair participants.
- Colorado State University (CSSF)coreColorado BioGENEius Challenge draws finalist from the Colorado State Science Fair (CSSF) in Fort Collins. Promotes professional skills, high ethical standards, diversity, and continuing intellectual development in science and technology.
- Delaware Biotechnology InstitutecoreDelaware State BioGENEius Challenge hosted by Delaware Biotechnology Institute. Delaware students grades 9-12 compete during three local science fairs: New Castle, Kent and Sussex County Science Fairs. Winner advances as Delaware BioGENEius finalist.
- Georgia Bio / Center for Global Health InnovationcoreGeorgia BioGENEius Competition held during Georgia Science and Engineering Fair (GSEF) in Athens. Competition open to any Georgia student regardless of GSEF qualification who are doing outstanding research in biotechnology.
- Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO)coreIllinois BioGENEius Challenge conducted by iBIO, representing nearly 88,000 life sciences employees at member companies, universities, service providers and venture firms. Students compete for first place, cash prize and opportunity to present at iBIO and BioGENEius Challenge.
- Iowa Biotechnology Association (IowaBio)coreIowa BioGENEius Challenge coordinated by IowaBio. Students grades 9-12 who participate in annual State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa (SSTFI) are considered. Winner receives stipend for travel and accommodations to compete at International BioGENEius Challenge.
- Bioscience Association of Maine (BioME)coreMaine BioGENEius Challenge for Maine high school students doing research with biotech/life sciences focus. Coordinated by BioME and held during BioME Student Showcase event in Portland.
- Learning UndefeatedcoreHosts virtual Maryland BioGENEius Challenge together with Biotechnology Institute. Maryland students grades 9-12 with original research in biotechnology are encouraged to apply. Maryland finalist represents state at BioGENEius Challenge competition.
- New Mexico Bio (NMBio)coreNew Mexico BioGENEius Challenge for high school students doing original research in biotechnology. Students must qualify through one of six Regional Fairs to advance to New Mexico Science and Engineering Fair state competition.
- NC Student Academy of Sciences (NCSAS)coreNorth Carolina BioGENEius Challenge requires students to first compete in District competitions to qualify for state NCSAS competition. High school students must place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd to qualify. One finalist selected to represent North Carolina.
- Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologycorePennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge hosted by Biotechnology Department of Harrisburg University. Competition represents research projects by high school students selected from several regional science fairs from across the state.
- Virginia Bioscience FoundationcoreVirginia BioGENEius Challenge co-hosted with Virginia Bioscience Foundation for high school students doing research in biotechnology, agriculture and/or industrial and environmental science. More than 300 students participate in Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair with over 200 projects.
- AmgencoreSponsor of California Life Sciences Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge. Provides venue at Amgen South San Francisco for competition. First-place winner advances to International BioGENEius Challenge. Includes celebratory awards program and networking with industry professionals.
- BIO International ConventioncoreAnnual BIO International Convention serves as venue for BioGENEius Innovators mentoring retreat. Includes on-site corporate campus tours of area biopharmaceutical companies. BioGENEius Challenge finals traditionally held at world's largest biotech gathering.
- BioGENEius CanadacoreCanadian BioGENEius Challenge (biogenius.ca) open to Canadian students. Top finalist invited to compete at International BioGENEius Challenge. Enables international participation in the BioGENEius competition series.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Biotechnology Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Project Lead The Way (PLTW): Provides K-12 STEM curriculum and pathways including biomedical science tracks. Comparable as a national non-profit delivering biotech-adjacent STEM curriculum to schools and competes for the same sponsor and district relationships.
- HHMI BioInteractive: Howard Hughes Medical Institute's free biology/biomedical multimedia resources for high school and undergraduate educators. Comparable as a larger, well-funded life-sciences education provider, though its delivery model is content rather than competition-based.
- Genentech / Roche STEM Education Programs: Corporate-sponsored K-12 and undergraduate STEM programs run by major biotech employers. Comparable as a corporate-funded channel into the same workforce-development narrative that drives sponsorship decisions affecting Biotechnology Institute.
- FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): Operates K-12 STEM competitions (FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Robotics Competition) with massive sponsor backing. Comparable as a large national STEM competition non-profit competing for the same sponsor pool and student audience.
Direct peers
- Science Buddies: Non-profit providing K-12 science project guidance, particularly for science fairs. Comparable audience and mission (supporting student-led research projects), though delivered via online resources rather than in-person competitions.
- Science Olympiad: Runs team-based STEM competitions across elementary, middle, and high school nationwide. Comparable as a national K-12 STEM competition platform; differs by being team/event-based rather than research-project-based.
- Broadcom Foundation (Broadcom MASTERS): Operates the Broadcom MASTERS competition for middle school STEM researchers. Comparable as a corporate-sponsored national STEM research competition targeting grades that overlap with Biotechnology Institute's BioDiversity cohort.
- Society for Science (Regeneron Science Talent Search, ISEF): Operates the Regeneron Science Talent Search and International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the most prestigious K-12 science research competitions in the U.S. Comparable to Biotechnology Institute's BioGENEius in mission, target audience (high school research students), and reliance on corporate underwriting.
- BioBuilder Educational Foundation: Non-profit providing biotechnology-focused curriculum, lab kits, and competitions for high school students. Most directly comparable peer given shared biotech-education focus and K-12 audience.
Others
- Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO): Industry trade association that co-founded the Biotechnology Institute and hosts the BIO International Convention where BioGENEius finals are held. Not a competitor but a foundational ecosystem partner whose event strategy directly shapes the Institute's flagship offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Biotechnology Institute social profiles
Digital presenceBiotechnology Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Biotechnology Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Biotechnology Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Biotechnology Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Biotechnology Institute
What does Biotechnology Institute do?
The Biotechnology Institute delivers biotechnology-focused educational programs and competitions for students in grades 3-12. Its offerings span a continuum that includes the flagship BioGENEius research competition, the BioDiversity after-school STEM enrichment program, the BioGENEius Innovators program, and the Writing Intensive Workshop. Programs are delivered free to student participants through a network of state partners and at international venues including the BIO International Convention.
Is Biotechnology Institute a public or private company?
Biotechnology Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Biotechnology Institute founded?
Biotechnology Institute was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Biotechnology Institute based?
Biotechnology Institute is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Biotechnology Institute make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Corporate Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are donations and Patron Support.
Who are Biotechnology Institute's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Project Lead The Way (PLTW), HHMI BioInteractive, Genentech / Roche STEM Education Programs and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Direct peers are Science Buddies, Science Olympiad, Broadcom Foundation (Broadcom MASTERS), Society for Science (Regeneron Science Talent Search, ISEF) and BioBuilder Educational Foundation. Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is listed as an others.
Does Biotechnology Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Biotechnology Institute.
What industry is Biotechnology Institute in?
Biotechnology Institute's product category is STEM / Biotechnology Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMABAF, Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy), with a secondary code of EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs). Its NAICS code is 61169 and its SIC code is 8200.