Bayer Grants4Apps Shanghai Accelerator Program Now Open for Applications – Deadline in Two Weeks!
Mar 10, 2016 22:49
CST Updated
22:49
Song Haibin
Currently serves as the Recruitment Director of the Human Resources Department at Bayer (China) Co., Ltd., responsible for domestic and international recruitment and employer branding in China, with many years of human resources management experience in foreign companies. Graduated from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and holds an MBA degree from CEIBS.
Currently serving as the Shanghai Project Manager at Grants4Apps, with 15 years of diverse professional experience spanning supply chain and human resources across Asia and Europe. Previously a core member of a startup specializing in 3D-printed respiratory masks, which was selected for the Grants4Apps program in Berlin.
What is Bayer’s Startup Initiative?
Bayer’s startup program in Shanghai operates in a manner very similar to its Berlin counterpart. The program will run for a total of 88 days and will be held at Bayer’s office in Lujiazui.
What kind of startups are we looking for?
Of course, we also have certainRequirements。
We hope that the company's business scope is withinThe digital health or biotechnology industrysectors, as we have relatively more extensive experience in these industries;
Hope these companies'The product has taken initial shape.;
Hope he is inThe Early Stage of Entrepreneurship, and at the same time, we hope to provide substantial assistance during this stage;
We hope heThere is a team, and several members of the team have already begun working in this area.
What support or assistance does Bayer provide?
At the same time, we arrange opportunities for them to engage with investors and industry peers, facilitating broader exchanges and intellectual cross-pollination with diverse perspectives. I believe the most significant distinction between this initiative and other similar projects is that participants will have ample opportunities for face-to-face interactions with senior executives of Bayer in China.
How to Apply for Our GrantsApps?
Registration opens on February 22 and closes onMarch 25, for those who are interested, there are still two weeks left to apply.
Why is Bayer supporting this project?
Some startup founders may worry that Bayer might make certain demands, such as requesting equity stakes or sharing intellectual property rights. Here, I can responsibly assure everyone that the answer is no. Bayer has no intention of claiming any equity or ownership rights; all such assets remain entirely with the startups.
88 Days, Three Startups: What Will They Do?
First, Bayer’s senior management team will provide mentoring and coaching to these startups., one of the guidelines was provided by our leader at Bayer China—Ms. Zhu Lixian, this is a great honor. Furthermore, we will have some initiatives targeted at startupsTraining。
How to Design a Business Model?
As startups’ business models are often not yet fully developed, we have partnered with CEIBS to offer a series of courses on business model design and design thinking.
How Should Digital Marketing Be Conducted?
We have invited several venture capital firms to share their insights, offering their perspective on the qualities they seek in founding partners and the characteristics of startups they are most eager to invest in.
How to Deliver a Successful Pitch?
One particularly distinctive aspect of startups is what’s known as the “pitch.” You need to pitch your venture to various investors and partners. This differs from ordinary PowerPoint presentations, as you must showcase your company and highlight its most compelling and strongest points within a very short timeframe. Therefore, this skill is both unique and critical, and participants can learn it here.
Second, we will invite them to work at Bayer’s Lujiazui office.We have specially prepared an office space for them—a comfortable and creative environment that enables them to perform at their best.
Third, and most importantly, where can I find co-founders and investors for a startup?
Within Bayer’s startup program, we have prepared extensive networking resources and opportunities for you, enabling you to pitch your ventures to partners, investors, and even the media.
Finally, our project is called Grants4Apps. As “Grants” refers to funding, Bayer will provide a sponsorship fund of RMB 30,000 to each of the three selected startups.
Why Choose Grants4Apps?
Grants4Apps launched in Berlin in 2013, then expanded to Barcelona, Japan, and Moscow, before arriving in China. Bringing years of international experience and local insights, Grants4Apps has now come to Shanghai.
Vivian, Shanghai Project Manager at Grants4Apps, is a core member of a 3D-printed respiratory mask startup that was selected for the Grants4Apps program in Berlin.
Vivian shares her experience with everyone:
In 2015, we were selected for Bayer’s Grants4Apps program in Berlin, a moment that felt as exhilarating as winning the jackpot. My startup developed a wearable respiratory mask. For us, the Bayer brand represented the greatest possible attraction.We can leverage Bayer’s platform to readily penetrate industries or hospitals that are typically closed to startups.。
We have numerous opportunities to deliver our pitch in various settings.On one occasion, a hospital president heard our pitch and subsequently contacted us, offering us an internship opportunity at his hospital. This allowed us to gain firsthand insight into the daily responsibilities of physicians in managing patients with respiratory conditions. Such an opportunity is truly rare. As an ordinary startup, how could we have possibly secured such a chance?
After the completion of our project, Bayer signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with four startups, including ours, indicating its willingness to collaborate with them.Continued Research and Collaboration。
Because of Bayer, all this happened.
Are you in?
Via the official website: www.grants4apps.com/shanghai; via the WeChat Official Account: G4A Bayer Grants for Apps
Wonderful
Q&A Highlights
Q: What is the screening process for this acceleration program, and what are your criteria?
Vivian: We will first conduct the initial screening to select our top 20. After that, we will notify these 20 startups and ask them to prepare accordingly.
Q: Why did you choose Shanghai?
Song Haibin: As Bayer’s China headquarters is located in Shanghai, our project was also launched there. Therefore, if you are interested in this acceleration program, you may indeed need to come to Shanghai.
Q: Is there an upper limit on team size for this acceleration program?
Song Haibin: Generally speaking, startups cannot be too large. As the selected project’s office is located within Bayer’s premises, a very large office space will not be provided. We believe that an ideal team size would be three to five people.
Q: If the product has only reached the first draft of the PPT design, is it eligible to participate?
Vivian: Simply visit our website and provide answers to questions such as your product’s solution, the target audience you wish to attract, and your revenue model. There is no need to create any PowerPoint presentations.
Q: Can companies not registered in China apply?
Vivian: If some startups are not yet registered in China, but you have been selected for the TOP 20 of our accelerator program, we will require you to register a company in China. In summary, here is what we look for when selecting startups: First, you must be a digital health company; second, we will evaluate your product and check if you have a prototype; third, we will assess your team.
Q: When screening startups, is relevance to Bayer's existing products used as a criterion?
Song Haibin: If this startup’s products are highly aligned with Bayer’s product portfolio, that would be ideal, as we have relatively extensive experience and expertise in this area and believe we can provide greater support. However, this is not a prerequisite; projects in fields such as digital health and biotechnology are also welcome.
Q: Does Bayer have plans for continuous follow-up on these projects? Is there an intention to invest?
Vivian: Bayer’s GrantsApps is purely an incubator designed primarily to support startups. We are not a venture capital firm, so we do not make investments at this stage. All projects emerging from this incubator are considered “graduates” of Bayer’s G4A Startup Program.
Q: Will Bayer intervene in the project's development or acquire an equity stake, or will it merely provide guidance during incubation?
Song Haibin: The answer is no. We will not interfere with the project’s development, nor will we request equity stakes; we merely provide guidance on the development of this plan.
Q: Does Bayer recommend angel investors to companies?
Song Haibin: Some netizens have asked whether Bayer would recommend venture capital firms. The answer is yes; we will introduce some VC firms to everyone. Moreover, we will make our utmost efforts to help you access the corresponding resources.
Q: In the days to come, we look forward to Bayer supporting the development of TCM Telemedicine and Mobile Health 2.0 in mainland China, or leading it onto the global stage.
Song Haibin: I just saw a netizen discussing their expectations for Bayer in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which I believe is a very positive aspiration. Two years ago, Bayer acquired Dianhong Pharmaceutical, a highly traditional TCM enterprise. With the integration of Dianhong Pharmaceutical, traditional TCM products have become part of our portfolio and product lines, such as Kangwang. Therefore, Bayer has made its own commitments in this area.
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