An international hub in Denmark for research-based innovation and entrepreneurship. We help people with a great idea in life science to commercialize research.

We cover the areas of pharma, medtech and biotech.

BII embraces every phase of a life science start-up. Whether the idea of pursuing entrepreneurship has briefly crossed your mind, or you already have a full business plan for your company, there is a place for you at BII.

None, yet. We expect the first companies in BII to receive external funding in 2020.

In Copenhagen Science City, Denmark, see under contact.

BII is a Novo Nordisk Foundation initiative.

Yes, we regularly host events at BII that you are welcome to join.

See under Meet the BII team

Click here and scroll to see if we have any open positions at the moment. See under vacancies.

Yes, do sign up to stay up to date on everything that goes on at BII, including dates for open calls.

Yes, connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn.

On our website, see under Meet the BII team to find contact info for each team member. Reach out.

BII labs have the infrastructure and equipment for basic research and also more advanced technical equipment to suit the needs of the majority of projects. See more under facilities.

BII has a network of local and international partners with special facilities and knowledge, in case it is not available at BII. We will guide you to the right partner and set up a framework for the services.  

Yes, we have facilities for GMO Class 1 and 2. 

Yes, you can do small-scale radioactive work.  

The BII laboratories are registered with the Danish Working Environment Authority, and we can help you submit an application for your project. 

No, but we have several partners close by that can provide such services. It is possible to do work on animal tissues in BII labs. 

Yes, we have set up a mechanical shop in addition to the “wet labs”, where you can prepare e.g. a prototype of your product. We also provide 3D printers and an electronic/wood/metal shop. 

Yes, as part of the BII you will get private lab-benches in our open labs according to your needs, and you will also have access to all common lab facilities. 

No, everyone including the BII team works in the open office space, but we do have bookable meeting rooms. 

You are very welcome to take a guided tour with one of the BII team members. Get in touch with our lab manager Bo.

Comply with the instructions set forth in the BII application pdf’s, specific to each program. The discrepancies are due to default settings within The Novo Nordisk Foundation Application and Grant Management System (NORMA), which are unchangeable.

• One example is for the Proof of Concept, the NORMA system allows 10.000 characters for your application, however in the instructions for PoC, it’s stated your application should contain 5.000 characters, which is what you must adhere to.

One of the founders.

Unfortunately no. BII operates with a lean team and does not have the capacity to give individual feedback for all the applying projects.

BII has two committees of industry experts to advise the BII board of directors during the establishment phase.

BII is built around a common trust that works in the world’s most successful accelerators and incubators. In addition to this, all participants, including lecturers, mentors and experts, sign a confidentiality agreement. 

For any technical issues, please contact norma-support@novo.dk 

We have open calls biannually for the Proof of Concept– , Business Acceleration Academy– and Creation House program.

We allow for simultaneous applications within the following programs:

• Proof of Concept and Business Acceleration Academy
• Creation House (Incubation) and Business Acceleration Academy

Simultaneous applications for BII’s Proof of Concept and Creation House (Incubation) programs or Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Exploratory Pre-seed Program are not accepted.

If you submit the same (or a very similar) application in two consecutive call rounds without being granted funding, you will be quarantined from applying for the program in question for the next round, unless you can show clear project progression or the project is of a different character/focus.

Yes, if you have a substantial connection to Denmark and a work permit in Denmark.

BII asks you to focus on your discovery and obtain a preliminary technical proof of concept during the support period.   

Up to 12 months.

Preliminary proof of concept – a prerequisite for the BII programs Business Acceleration Academy and Creation House.

After having established the preliminary proof of concept, you can form a company and apply for the Business Acceleration Academy program to develop a solid, initial business plan.

PoC is eligible for projects in Denmark within the fields of pharma, biotech and medtech. The projects must have strong commercial aspirations.

For PoC, BII can support up to 10 projects per call given that the applying project are of high quality.

No, you will work from your current host institution or location.

The PoC grant covers expenses for up to a maximum of DKK 1 million for each project. 

The PoC grant can cover expenses such as salary for staff (not for applicant), research activities, prototypes, publications, IPR and patent expenses not related to Tech Transfer, and other commercialization process activities.

The PoC grant cannot cover overhead (e.g. water, electricity), conferences, travel or applicant’s salary.

None.

Yes, but only non-dilutive funding is accepted. 

Yes, but any for-profit funding may exclude your project from applying for the Business Acceleration Academy program and the Creation House program.  

Yes, if you have a substantial connection to Denmark and a work permit in Denmark.

You commit to relocating the project team to BII and participating on a daily basis, giving everything you have to accelerate your business while engagin with peers and the BII community.

11 weeks, full time.

An initial, solid business plan and entrepreneurial skills for your team. This is also a prerequisite for the Creation House program.

You will be ready to execute your business plan and apply for the BII Creation House program.

Besides the other program participants you will collaborate with world-class coaches and mentors, experienced entrepreneurs and subject matter experts and the BII staff.

BAA is eligible for companies in Denmark within the fields of pharma, biotech and medtech. The companies must have strong commercial aspirations.

For BAA, BII can support up to 5 companies per call given that the applying companies are of high quality.

Yes, BAA is an 11 weeks full time program in Copenhagen.

No, it is not mandatory, however during the BAA program we expect that you gain clarity around your IP situation.

Yes, the grant is awarded to Danish CVR registered companies only.

The BAA grant is up to a maximum of DKK 600,000 for each company.

The BAA grant covers the 11 weeks full-time acceleration program. Furthermore, the BAA grant can cover expenses during the program such as salary for the team, consultancy, relocation cost and project-related travel.

The BAA grant does not cover overhead (e.g. water, electricity) or conferences.

None.

Each project is paired with a BII anchorperson who together with an external mentor will follow your progress and support you through the full program.

Yes, but only non-dilutive funding is accepted. 

Yes, but any for-profit funding may exclude your company from applying for the Creation House program.

The BAA program accepts applications from CVR registered companies where one of the founders submit the application.

The boot camp is the kick off for the BAA and the focus is to help each company do a gap analysis to prepare the tailor-made program for each team.  

It is an intensive boot camp in a remote location where BII staff and subject matter experts work closely with each team to establish their status and prioritize needs.

Yes, if you have a substantial connection to the Nordics and a work permit in Denmark.

Throughout the Creation House program, we ask you to focus on the commercial acceleration of your company. The program takes place at BII’s labs and offices in Copenhagen and your team and all main activities must relocate to BII; here we expect you to engage fully with peers and the community. 

Up to 18 months.

A prototype or lead candidate

To bring the project to a stage where it can attract funding (e.g. series A) to support further development and/or growth. 

Creation House is eligible for companies in Denmark within the fields of pharma, biotech and medtech. The companies must have strong commercial aspirations.

For Creation House, BII can support up to three projects per call given that the applying project are of high quality.

Yes, the team must relocate to BII. Your company’s main activities must be at BII.

You should have control of the IP that is the basis of your company, e.g. through ownership or license agreements.

Yes, the convertible loan is provided for Danish CVR registered companies only.

Up to a maximum of DKK 10 million, paid in tranches linked to scientific and commercial milestones.

The Creation House convertible loan is issued unsecured and it is founder-friendly. The loan has a maturity of up to three years.

The Incubation program loan can be used for activities such as research, prototypes, patents, salary for staff and other costs associated with the commercialization process.  

BII can convert 1/3 of the loan into equity and 2/3 of the loan into an exit bonus dependent on the size of the company exit. 

In collaboration with the team, BII staff will evaluate on the project’s value infliction points and setup milestones.

Yes, however a criteria for joining the Creation House is that the company possess the skills needed to execute the company’s business plan. 

Yes, but only non-dilutive funding is accepted. 

The Creation House program accepts applications from CVR registered companies where one of the founders submit the application.

Yes.

The convertible loan may be converted into a grant if the company fails based on terms to be agreed between BII and the individual company.