LOCAL PROGRAM
Fueling Life Science Entrepreneurship
BioLeap bridges the critical gap between Life Sciences research and successful commercialization, fostering innovation in Puerto Rico’s scientific landscape. Our mission is to propel visionary projects from the laboratory to the market, accelerating translational research into tangible solutions. In a field where promising ideas often struggle to navigate the complex and extensive journey from concept to market, BioLeap stands as a catalyst for transformation, offering strategic mentorship, resources, and a collaborative ecosystem.
What does our life sciences program offer?
Strong Incubation Curriculum
A 12-week curriculum-driven incubation initiative designed to instruct aspiring entrepreneurs in the life sciences sector on the intricacies of conducting business within the industry.
Technical Assistance
A 14-week period of technical assistance open office hours is provided for participants in the current cohort. During this time, they can receive mentorship and guidance for various aspects of their businesses, including financials, operations, grant writing, proposal writing, marketing and communications, research and development assistance, corporate connections, access to capital, and more.
Connections
A structured path for advancement that includes connections with our pre-acceleration (pre18), acceleration (P18), and post-acceleration (Xpand) programs, ensuring a comprehensive learning and growth experience throughout their entrepreneurial journey.
The program offers immediate entry to the Puerto Rico Economic Development Incentives Office for expedited processing of tax credits, export incentives, and various other advantages.
Support of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
BioLeap is part of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, a private non-profit organization created to maximize the island’s participation and creation of jobs in the global knowledge economy. As we establish a collaborative network that can further Puerto Rico’s Life Sciences sector, we work closely with many of the PRSTRT subprograms. This strategy aims to bridge the divide between the outcomes of scientific research and their effective commercialization in the life sciences sector.
INTERNATIONAL ACCELERATION PROGRAM
P18 welcomes companies from around the world to help them scale from Puerto Rico to global markets. Our mission is to invest in and accelerate the world’s most ambitious founders while positioning Puerto Rico as a global launchpad for innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship.
8.7K+
applications received including Gen. X
279
companies have participated in the program
75%
of the companies that have been through P18 are still in operations
*Based on 2023 Impact Report
Key Offerings
Weekly Follow-ups
The parallel18 team supports weekly progress and strategic plans of the startups with a KPI methodology. This facilitates access to relevant resources such as mentors and service providers.
Bootcamp format
With a highly-curated list of mentors, the P18 curriculum adapts to the cohort’s needs while offering educational sessions ranging from sales, fundraising, operations, among others.
Investment Resources
#P18ners will receive a $100k investment via SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity). Also, the Ventures team actively connects with investors interested in supporting startups participating in P18.
Connections with corporate partners
Parallel18 Connect facilitates intros with local industry leaders that can help startups launch their solutions in Puerto Rico.
Program Timeline
Four-week Bootcamp (Phase 0)
The P18 selection process consists of an initial due diligence term. During a 4-weeks period, the parallel18 team will virtually conduct virtual meetings and workshops to further assess the investment readiness of the startups. Each participant must successfully complete this period in order to advance to the Bootcamp. The pre-program (Phase 0) term is scheduled to occur in April 2026.
16-weeks Curriculum (Phase 1, for 18 selected startups)
Once P18 Gen. 14 is officially selected, the cohort will participate in the acceleration curriculum. Attendance by the designated Team Leader, in person and physically located in Puerto Rico, is mandatory. This phase is anticipated to run from July through October 2026.
LOCAL PROGRAM
A community-driven post-acceleration program designed to support innovative companies that are in a growth-stage path and seek access to resources beyond the actual offerings provided by incubators and accelerators to sustain and expand their growth.
25
Xpand members
(1st cohort 2022)
129M
cumulative valuation
$100K
capital invested in participants
$52M
cumulative revenue
Why does our post-acceleration program work?
International investor network
Access to a vast and international investor network with more than 600 active investors through the parallel18 Ventures subprogram.
Partnerships
Connections and prospective partnership access via parallel18 Connect subprogram’s network of +75 partners.
Talent Bank
Access to parallel18 Talent App with more than 1,300 domain knowledge experts for hire to ease the difficulties of access in terms of talent acquisition.
Co-Working Space
Access to our coworking space throughout the duration of the program facilitating access to parallel18 active mentors-in-residence and also our specialized team of experts.
Business Support Network
Colmena66 will be providing acces to 240+ organizations that are part of the Colemna66 Business Support Network (Red C66) and connecting Xpand members with Red C66 resources partners as needed.
Mentorship
Specialized mentorship by tailoring parallel18’s mentor-in-residence program to align with the program’s participants necessities.
Not sure which program to apply to?
You qualify for BioLeap if:
- Your project is related to Biotechnology, Medical Technology, Digital Health, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Big data, AgriTech, and any of the Engineering fields.
- Your project is a novel Proof-of-concept, Prototype or MVP in the Life Sciences field.
- You’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident that are anticipated to sustain ongoing R&D efforts in Puerto Rico.
- You have proper track record in the development of the project.
You qualify for P18 if:
- Your startup is innovative, and in an early stage with 3 years of operations or less.
- The company is incorporated in Puerto Rico or the United States with authorization to do business in Puerto Rico if selected.
- Participating startups must be prepared to raise an investment round, whether already open or anticipated to open within six months of the program start date.
- To participate, your startup must have at least two (2) full time founders.
- Your startup’s team leader is available to participate in-person through the 16-week bootcamp.
You qualify for Xpand if:
Your company complies with at least two (2) of the following:
-
- 3+ years of operations.
- Operations in Puerto Rico or seek to expand their business in the island.
- Proven impact in Puerto Rico.
- $250,000+ in annual sales. Former parallel18 alumni or participated in an accelerator program.
- The company must have a minimum of two people dedicated exclusively to its operations.
Too early for parallel 18 programs?
Learn about other entrepreneurship programs that are part of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust.
At Colmena66, they facilitate the entrepreneurial process by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need so that anyone in Puerto Rico can start and grow their business.
FASE1 is an entrepreneurship program with two main goals: to provide universal access to entrepreneurship education and to incubate ideas that can be transformed into successful startups.
Questions?
Get in Touch!