Scientist-founders who have recently launched a company, or are preparing to do so, building on science-based technology or innovation to address critical needs in health or wellbeing.
Info Session
Learn how the Catalyst program works and hear directly from founders in our first cohort as they share their experience and progress.
Join us
Timeline
Application (Sep – Oct 2025)
Cohort Selection (Nov – Dec 2025)
We will select 10-12 scientist-founders to advance their technology-based companies.
Online Mentoring (Jan-Jun 2026)
Launch program end of Jan 2026
Online meetings twice a week with selected experts from the biotech ecosystem covering all required steps to advance early stage biotech startup
Weekly peer group meetings for collaborative feedback and relationship building
Matching with Business and Tech experts
Meetings with potential investors for continued feedback and support
Roadshow (June 2026)
A week-long roadshow in Silicon Valley to meet local biotech, consulting and venture capital representatives, individual meetings with potential partners, and an exclusive pitch night with local and international investors.
Q&A
If you have further questions, please contact info@nestcatalyst.com
Q) Can my technology or idea be relevant to any scientific field?
A) Yes, as long as it is based on scientific research in health or wellbeing.
Q) I already have a team, should we all apply?
A) No, please choose your key person that will handle the application and list all team members in the application.
Q) If I am selected, will I need to attend online or in person meetings?
A) Yes. Participation in all program content is a must, please see the timeline for more details.
Q) My company has recently raised significant capital, can I still apply?
A) No. This program is specifically geared towards early-stage founders that have not raised more than $1M for their companies.
Q) I am a founder of a company, am I eligible to apply?
A) Yes, as long as you have not raised more than $1M for your company.
Q) Do I need to live in US to apply?
A) No. The program is geared towards all scientist-founders, based in US and Israel.
Q) Is there a preference for individual rather than team project proposals?
A) No, however, the program is geared towards science-founders. If you do not have a team in place, you can request a partnership with a technological partner.
Q) How is intellectual property handled during the course of the Nest program?
A) Participating in Nest Catalyst program does not modify your intellectual property (IP) position, or any other aspect of your ongoing project.
Please note, any IP developed in academic labs is owned by the institution to which it belongs. If you developed the technology during your Ph.D. or Postdoc at a research institution, you are expected to obtain consent from the relevant tech transfer office and present it before starting the program. You can work with the tech transfer office during the program to support its licensing and commercialization.
Q) The commercial exploitation rights of our innovations will be completely ours or will they belong to the organization of Nest Catalyst?
A) Our goal is to help to strengthen your project idea. Throughout the program, your idea remains completely yours.