The Bio-incubator
TLS Foundation is committed to facilitate the start-up creation process through the development of its Science Park located in Siena, where to attract companies operating in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. To achieve this goal, TLS Foundation has taken its first step in 2006 by setting up a bio-incubator to host new entrepreneurial initiatives in the life sciences field. Three floors of the restored building, located within the industrial area of Torre Fiorentina for a total of 3000 sm, was completed and equipped with several state-of-the art laboratory modules (from 60 sm to 150 sm units), animal house facility, PCL3 laboratory, analytical equipment, storage of chemicals, refrigerators and freezers available to all companies hosted. The bio-incubator also features furnished offices, meeting rooms, a reception and a recreational area.
Companies wishing to locate within the bio-incubator are subject to an evaluation of their assets and business ideas. For this purpose, the TLS Foundation has devised a selection procedure supported by an international Evaluation Committee, composed by individuals belonging to industrial, academic, and business communities. The selected companies may rent laboratories and offices for a maximum period of 3-5 years. Fees for space rental and access to services and technological platforms are extremely competitive when compared with international market standards. Moreover, a dedicated “seed capital” company (BioFund Spa) has been set up, aimed at investing with a minority equity model in the start-ups in order to sustaining their financial needs during the first three years of incubation period. In addition other financial tools are available in the area like the MPS Venture and Toscana Innovazione Investment Fund (www.sicisgr.it) made up with the contribution of the Tuscan Region and regional bank foundations for a total amount of 45 million euro available for innovative entrepreneurial initiatives.
Module A (mq.90)
Companies wishing to locate within the bio-incubator are subject to an evaluation of their assets and business ideas. For this purpose, the TLS Foundation has devised a selection procedure supported by an international Evaluation Committee, composed by individuals belonging to industrial, academic, and business communities. The selected companies may rent laboratories and offices for a maximum period of 3-5 years. Fees for space rental and access to services and technological platforms are extremely competitive when compared with international market standards. Moreover, a dedicated “seed capital” company (BioFund Spa) has been set up, aimed at investing with a minority equity model in the start-ups in order to sustaining their financial needs during the first three years of incubation period. In addition other financial tools are available in the area like the MPS Venture and Toscana Innovazione Investment Fund (www.sicisgr.it) made up with the contribution of the Tuscan Region and regional bank foundations for a total amount of 45 million euro available for innovative entrepreneurial initiatives.
Module B (mq.90)
Module C (mq.60)
