BioLeap Startup Grants: Third Cohort Awards $340k to 17 Companies
BioLeap, managed by parallel18 and the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, announced its third cohort launch today. The program will award $20,000 grants to 17 local life science companies.
The completely free initiative provides entrepreneurs with three key benefits: 12 weeks of business education, 16 weeks of technical assistance, and ongoing mentorship from industry experts. These experts guide participants through commercial and regulatory challenges.
Program participants gain practical tools to structure their businesses. They launch functional prototypes and develop patentable technologies. The ultimate goal: commercialize innovations worldwide.
Meet the Gen. 3 Companies
The companies selected in Gen. 3 of BioLeap and that will receive the grant are: BeyondBox, Capicú, ClinBiomap, FC Health Hub LLC, karē Corp, KDL LLC, Minds2CREATE, Inc., Novo Heal, Protein Dynamic Solutions, Pumpocket, Liberri LLC, QuantumCare LLC, Stream Sampling Kit, TOA LLC, VidaLens, Inc., Wellbyn, and VANTHEON.
These companies operate across multiple sectors. They develop solutions in healthcare, biopharma, biotechnology, environmental sciences, health-tech, diagnostics, digital health, and pharmaceutical therapies.
The long-term impact in the Puerto Rican biotech scene
Lucy Crespo, CEO of the PRSTRT, shared her perspective: “At the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, we are proud of the impact BioLeap continues to have on local life sciences entrepreneurship. This cohort represents a strategic boost to strengthen the biosciences ecosystem and position the island as a global innovation hub.”
Dr. Héctor Jirau, executive director at parallel18, emphasized the broader impact: “This third cohort accelerates product development. Moreover, it reduces investor risk by strengthening teams, business strategy, and regulatory readiness. The message is clear: talent exists here, opportunities abound, and we are building companies designed to compete globally.”
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) funds BioLeap through its “Build to Scale” grant program. This grant supports organizations promoting technological entrepreneurship and innovation.
The distribution of these grants was made possible by the recent allocation of $9.5 million to the PRSTRT by the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) and the Government of Puerto Rico, with the goal of boosting the knowledge economy in the country.
For more information about BioLeap and other parallel18 programs, you can contact [email protected] or visit: www.parallel18.com.