7 Arizona bioscience startups receive $30K in entrepreneurship program

PHOENIX — Seven Arizona-based bioscience startups are each receiving $30,000 in funding after being selected to participate in the Phoenix-based Flinn Foundation entrepreneurship program, according to a press release on Tuesday.

In addition to the funding, each firm will receive a personalized learning plan to help advance the company to become investor-ready as well as be connected with some of the state’s bioscience leaders in business, research and policy through membership to a committee.

The bioscience firms, five of which are located in Phoenix and two from Tucson, were selected based on being engaged in the commercialization of bioscience research and biotechnology or the sale of products related to bioscience, according to the release.

A few of the innovations worked on by the selected startups include a rapid digital virus screener for COVID-19 and other pathogens, wearable technology to address undiagnosed concussions and unreported falls and an AI-powered digital assistant that provides a personalized behavioral approach in caring for cognitively impaired individuals.

“We are thrilled to welcome these seven Arizona startups into our program, which we believe will accelerate their path to success in the biosciences and lead to innovations that will improve the lives of Arizonans and people around the world,” Tammy McLeod, Flinn Foundation president and CEO, said in the release.

The firms selected this year join a list of 47 picked by the foundation to participate in the program since 2014, with nearly $1.4 million being provided as part of the entrepreneurship through a nonprofit partner, according to the official website.

The program was created to build a critical mass of bioscience firms in the state as part of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, a long-term strategic plan that debuted in 2002 to advance Arizona’s bioscience sector.

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