Startup Spotlight at BIO-Europe Spring
This exciting competition offers entrepreneurs an affordable opportunity to engage with top-tier investors and other important players in the biotech industry to take their business to the next level.
The deadline to apply has now passed. Please email oguiliana@ebdgroup.com to learn more about the next Startup Spotlght.
Meet the 2026 Startup Spotlight Finalists
Exalt
Year founded: 2024
State of ownership: Public
Area of focus: Biomarkers/Diagnostics/Imaging
Lead product status: Phase II
Eygo Bio
Year founded: 2024
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: Ophthalmology
Lead product status: Preclinical
Helical
Year founded: 2023
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: Drug Discovery and Development
Lead product status: Discovery
Kindling Bio
Year founded: 2024
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: Oncology
Lead product status: Preclinical
Nascent Therapeutics
Year founded: 2024
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: CNS/Neurology
Lead product status: Discovery
Nionyx Bio
Year founded: 2023
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: Cell and Gene Therapies
Lead product status: Preclinical
Serendo Therapeutics AB
Year founded: 2024
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: Autoimmune/Inflammation
Lead product status: Discovery
VRG Chemogenetics Ltd
Year founded: 2024
State of ownership: Private
Area of focus: Cell and Gene Therapies
Lead product status: Discovery
Meet this year's judges
Meet this year's application review committee
PRESENTING DETAILS
Selected companies will have the opportunity to make a 6-minute pitch and participate in a live feedback session with a jury of leading investors, pharma dealmakers, and biotech business key opinion leaders who will evaluate the pitches and select the winner onsite in Lisbon, Portugal.
Pitching Criteria & Fee
Applications can be submitted by companies that meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Company created in the past three years, or innovation incubated within a company for a maximum of three years
- Developing new therapeutic solutions, technology and digital platforms
- Aggregate funding of EUR 10 million or less
- Company with less than 25 employees
Pitch fee: €195.00*
*Qualifying criteria must be met for this rate
If selected to present, you will receive additional steps to claim your complimentary BIO-Europe Spring registration and submit payment to secure your presentation slot.
Pitching Benefits
- Visibility: Generate interest among the global life science audience attending BIO-Europe Spring 2026
- Complimentary registration to attend: Access BIO-Europe Springs one-to-one meetings facilitated by partneringONE®, recorded content, live program sessions, and virtual networking opportunities.
The Startup Spotlight winner, selected by judges, will also receive a complimentary registration to attend a future EBD Group event.

Hear from the 2025 BIO-Europe Spring Startup Spotlight winner
Hear from Carolina Pola, CEO of STAb Therapeutics, who took home the winning prize for the Startup Spotlight pitch competition at BIO-Europe Spring in Milan this year. Carolina highlights the benefits and value of pitching to the judges and global life science audience.
Sponsor or exhibit at BIO-Europe Spring
Enrich your participation and maximize your success with a company showcase or an event sponsorship.
Questions?
Olivia Guiliana
EBD Group
oguiliana@ebdgroup.com











