Fueling Life Science Innovation: University Lab Partners Secures $2M for Accelerating Scalable Ventures

by Genesis Graves

University Lab Partners (ULP), a leading nonprofit wet lab incubator situated in Orange County, California, is delighted to announce its selection as one of 220 recipients nationwide for a $2 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Build to Scale program.

The Build to Scale initiative, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, plays a crucial role in fostering innovation, supporting technology entrepreneurs, and driving economic growth. The program aims to improve inclusive access to entrepreneurial assistance and startup capital. ULP’s $2 million award, matched by $2 million in local funding, will be dedicated to expanding its accelerator and commercialization initiatives in Orange County and the broader Southern California region over the next three years.

Karin Koch, Executive Director of University Lab Partners, expressed her excitement about the grant, stating, “This investment by the EDA will scale ULP’s proven incubation and acceleration programs. Our startups don’t just dream about improving human health – they strive to make it a reality every day, and ULP is an extension of their teams in so many ways.” This acknowledgment underscores ULP’s critical role in fostering innovation and economic development in Orange County.

Since its establishment in 2019, ULP has incubated 63 companies and graduated 6, resulting in the creation of 448 new jobs within the region. Positioned as a leader in the Orange County innovation ecosystem, ULP provides state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and superior services, fostering an environment conducive to collaboration and growth. With a commitment to advancing innovation, the Build to Scale grant will significantly amplify the impact of ULP’s accelerator services.

Emre Koyuncu, Founder and CEO of Crescenta Biosciences, emphasized the grant’s importance, stating, “Being a part of the ULP community, I see this grant as a crucial catalyst for innovation in the region. In the hands of ULP’s proven leadership, it will empower life science startups with the resources and support needed to transform their discoveries and early programs into life-saving medical innovations.”

The ULP Accelerator’s primary goal is to empower and accelerate scalable ventures in the life science and medical technology sectors. The program offers tailored advisory/consulting, specialized life science-focused entrepreneurial training, access to scientific infrastructure for technology commercialization, and increased early-stage capital access, culminating in regional high-wage job creation for a diverse workforce.

Ahmed Zobi, Co-Founder and CEO of Syntr Health Technologies, a resident company at ULP, expressed his excitement about the EDA Build to Scale grant, stating, “I am thrilled to witness ULP being awarded this grant. It holds the potential to assist numerous founders in Irvine, guiding them along the entrepreneurial path and facilitating the scaling of their ventures. The funding is instrumental in cultivating a robust medtech and biotech hub right in the heart of Irvine.”