International

VitaLabs Longevity Incubator Season 2 (2024)

VitaDAO

About This Scheme

An incubator program for early-stage longevity research, leveraging a vast network of geroscientists, biotech entrepreneurs, and web3 builders to commercialize bold ideas into new biotech companies.

VitaLabs is an innovative incubator program dedicated to accelerating early-stage longevity research by fostering a collaborative ecosystem. This program brings together a diverse network of top geroscientists, seasoned biotech entrepreneurs, and cutting-edge web3 builders to redefine the traditional paradigms of scientific discovery and commercialization. The core mission is to transform how groundbreaking longevity research is conceived, developed, and brought to market, promoting a more equitable and collaborative approach.

The program employs an open, community-driven methodology, engaging its extensive network from the initial stages to ensure that the most impactful ideas in longevity biotech are nurtured by the most fitting teams. A key tenet of VitaLabs is the empowerment of contributors through direct ownership of project intellectual property (IP), rather than corporate control, fostering a unique environment for innovation.

Operating on a seasonal research model, VitaLabs features intensive four-month sprints designed to drive rapid iteration and measurable outcomes. This structured approach instills urgency and accountability, sharpening hypotheses and accelerating learning cycles. The program champions 'moonshot' ideas – high-risk, high-reward science that often falls outside conventional academic funding, pushing the boundaries of human health and longevity.

Benefits

Selected projects receive a significant investment of up to US$50,000 (approximately ₹47.5 lakh), deployed through a community governance vote.
This funding supports initial experiments and in-depth research to test core hypotheses.
Participants benefit from a highly structured 4-month incubation program, featuring fast-paced sprints and clear deliverables.
The program provides unparalleled access to a vast network of leading geroscientists, biotech entrepreneurs, and web3 experts, facilitating mentorship and collaborative development.
Additionally, VitaLabs offers robust incubation support, guiding teams from ideation through project development to the eventual spin-out of new biotech companies, with a unique model that prioritizes contributor ownership of intellectual property.

How to Apply

Rolling basis

Selection Process

The selection process for VitaLabs involves a community-driven approach, particularly during the Quadratic Funding (QF) Round.
After Fellows and teams are formed and project proposals are submitted, the community participates in a QF round to select the top projects for funding.
This ensures that ideas developed by best-fit teams receive support, with the community actively contributing to the decision-making process.
For Season 1, this process resulted in 4 projects being approved for funding through a governance vote.

Quick Info

Amount / Funding

Varies

State / Region

International

Ministry / Dept

VitaDAO

Application Window

Rolling