Entrepreneurship in iGEM is about fostering the development of a new industry where Synthetic Biology is the underlying technological platform. As with any new industry, it is not clear which business plans will be the most successful. But, there are also more fundamental questions: What Business models will succeed, how will intellectual property affect company formation and funding, what skills are required at each stage of company’s life cycle, how will government policies promote or hinder new companies, what will be the social contract with Synthetic Biology companies, [Insert your question here]?

For this first year we will be considering at least four tracks examining critical business, regulatory and market issues that will determine the path of the Synthetic Biology industry:
* Business Plans
* Economic and Business Models
* Industry Development
* Business and Regulation
If you have an idea for a project that does not fit in any of these tracks, let us know and we will figure out how to make it work.

We will be opening up registration along with the World Championship registration after the regional Jamborees of the collegiate competition have concluded. iGEM HQ has generously set the registration fee for the Entrepreneurship Division the same as the collegiate World Championship Fee, and therefore Entrepreneurship Division participants will have access to not only the Entrepreneurship Division events but also all World Championship events. Stay tuned for more details. In the mean time, you may want to book your hotels at https://2012.igem.org/World_Championship_Jamboree/Hotels .

Several of the teams have noted that this is the first week for many of them after the summer vacation. Therefore, in fairness to all the teams, we have extended the deadline to submit the elevator pitch videos and presentations to Saturday September 8, 2012. In addition, if you would like feedback before posting please email Jose J. Pacheco (jose AT igem.org) to schedule a video conference call.

Registration for the inaugural year of the Entrepreneurship Division has closed. We have sixteen teams registered: Eleven from North and South America, one from China, and four from Europe. The teams have just started developing their plans and deciding on their projects. Stay tuned here for more information as the summer progresses.

Any questions can be directed to iGEM Headquarters (hq AT igem.org) or Jose J. Pacheco (jose AT igem.org).

As the first round of registration closes, we are excited by the energy and interest that the Entrepreneurship Division has garnered around the Globe. Since this is the the first year, we have heard from several potential teams that the process of securing the support from the business advisors is taking a little bit longer than expected. Therefore, we are now opening up a late registration period. Please proceed to create a team as usual.

Online registration for the iGEM 2012 Entrepreneurship Competition is now open.The fun begins.

Any questions can be directed to iGEM Headquarters (hq AT igem.org) or Jose J. Pacheco (jose AT igem.org).

See who is sponsoring the iGEM 2012 E Competition on the sponsors page!