Accelerating Innovation, Co-Creating the Future: Merck China Accelerator Launches Call for Applications for its Fourth Cohort
On February 22, 2021, Merck China Accelerator officially launched the recruitment for its fourth cohort.
As the bridge connecting Merck with startups, the Merck China Accelerator is dedicated to identifying high-potential startups, empowering business development, and jointly exploring and promoting innovative commercial opportunities that create value for the world, thereby achieving mutual growth and sustainable business partnerships.
Starting this year, the Merck China Accelerator will officially be held once annually, with additional slots opened to outstanding startups from both China and around the world. The 10–12 selected startups will undergo a six-month acceleration program, gaining access to China’s most vibrant innovation ecosystem, receiving support from Merck’s internal and external resources, and connecting with Merck’s global experts to explore collaborative opportunities.
Looking back on the past year, amidst adversity, Merck China Innovation Center has consistently faced challenges with a spirit of bold innovation, resilience, and agility, continuously supporting the growth and business development of startups to jointly build an innovative ecosystem. Over the course of this year:
1. 83% of the alumni companies from Phase III of the Merck China Accelerator have established project collaborations with various business units of Merck. For instance, in the field of organoids, a key focus area for Merck, we have partnered with Daxiang Technology to jointly address challenges related to the standardization and success rate of organoid culture.
2. Facilitated nearly 200 hours of in-depth exchanges and discussions on innovation collaboration projects between startups and Merck’s global experts
3. Six Merck Accelerator Alumni Companies Secure New Round of Financing
4. Through the accelerator’s alumni network, two startups formally signed a partnership agreement to jointly develop innovative drugs for lung cancer
5. Connecting government, corporate, and investment resources to accelerate enterprise development
Hear What Merck Accelerator Alumni Companies Have to Say
Drawing on experience from previous projects, we have gained deeper insights into how to guide and facilitate selected companies in identifying synergies with internal partners at Merck, thereby accelerating project collaboration and driving mutual success for both parties.
Meanwhile, the new cohort of the Merck China Accelerator Program will also provide selected companies with more in-depth and comprehensive customized training courses, focusing on the pain points of early-stage growth for startups, offering more targeted guidance, and providing additional opportunities to connect within the innovation ecosystem network. This will help startups establish connections with potential partners, supporting their development and industrialization process.
Engage with Merck China’s local network, establish connections with diverse partners, conduct in-depth one-on-one project discussions with Merck experts, and identify potential collaboration opportunities.
Join the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystem, visit Merck’s diverse business operations in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, and other cities, and further connect with Merck’s robust external innovation ecosystem and partner network, including government entities, investment institutions, and other large enterprises.
Join the Merck Global Startup Alumni Network to collaborate with like-minded alumni companies and expand your business.
Share innovative office spaces with Merck China Innovation Centers (Shanghai, Guangzhou), and have the opportunity to be stationed at the “Merck Shanghai Innovation Base” located in Zhangjiang, Shanghai.
Participate in the industry’s most influential events alongside Merck to increase exposure and enhance visibility among investors and other business partners.
Secure funding support of up to €50,000 and additional investment opportunities
Benefiting from customized coaching and workshops provided by Merck’s internal experts and external innovation resources, while driving joint innovation through collaborative projects with both Merck’s internal experts and external mentors.
Seed to Series A Startups
We focus on pharmaceuticals and healthcare, life sciences, high-performance materials, and related innovative fields, including:
AI-Empowered Health Solutions
Liquid Biopsy Technology
Clean Meat
Bioelectronics
Organoids
Neuromorphic Systems
Application Date: February 22, 2021–April 22, 2021
Result Notification: The selection results will be notified via email in May.
Project Acceleration: June–December
Project Location: Shanghai and China
Contact Us: 18696792036 (Teacher Deng)
