Biotechnology Institute

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.

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

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

• Biotechnology education
• STEM education programs
• Youth science competitions
• Biotechnology workforce development
• K-12 science enrichment

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BioFuture Conference / CURE Innovation CampuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Host 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 & JohnsoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Corporate 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoCalBio 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorado 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 InstitutecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelaware 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 InnovationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeorgia 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIowa 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaine 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 UndefeatedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew 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)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth 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 TechnologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPennsylvania 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 FoundationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVirginia 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.
• AmgencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor 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 ConventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual 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 CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/BiotechInstitut
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebiotechinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biotechnology-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Biotechnology Institute