WCBA: Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator (The Catalyst)

Join us NEXT TUESDAY, January 21st, for an evening of pitching and networking as we convene the Westchester County life science entrepreneurship community! You'll have the chance to meet our 2025 WCBA cohort, which includes: 💡 Atsuo Ochi 💡 Dov Biran 💡 Eric Bouhassira 💡 Fawaz Al-Mufti 💡 Funda Suer 💡 Jui Chaugule 💡 Justin Burdge, PhD 💡 R. Lea Sanford 💡 Manija Kazmi 💡 Marian Okondo 💡 Mehek Bapna 💡 Lisette Fernandez Meet the 2025 WCBA Cohort teams and listen to seasoned WCBA alums pitch. Each team will briefly introduce their innovation, followed by the official kick-off of the 2025 WCBA program, and celebrate innovation in the Westchester County bioscience community with networking. Network, discover new ideas and, help us kick off 2025! https://lu.ma/go3ngc20

🚨 The Westchester Bioscience Community Kickoff is less than TWO WEEKS away! 🚨 📅 January 21, 2025 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM ET 📍 BioInc@NYMC Biotechnology Incubator, Valhalla, NY 🔗 RSVP now: https://lu.ma/go3ngc20 Get ready to celebrate the launch of the 2025 WCBA program and immerse yourself in Westchester County’s thriving life sciences community! ✨ What to Expect: ➡️ Meet the innovators of the 2025 WCBA Cohort as they unveil their exciting ventures. ➡️ Hear pitches from seasoned WCBA alumni driving industry impact. ➡️ Network with key players across the biosciences ecosystem, from mentors to corporate sponsors. This is your chance to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the next wave of life sciences innovation. Don’t wait—secure your spot today! 📢 Let’s make 2025 the year of groundbreaking ideas!

Congratulations to the impressive founders joining our program for the next 6 months! We're excited to learn more about your solutions and see you reach important milestones in medtech innovation.

Happy Holidays from all of us at FirstXFounder! 🎄❄️ As we close out another year of innovation, collaboration, and growth, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and partners. Wishing you a season of joy, reflection, and inspiration. Here’s to a bright and impactful 2025! Entrepreneurship Lab (ELabNYC) Bio & Health Tech, ABCT: Accelerator for Biosciences in Connecticut and WCBA: Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator (The Catalyst)

Kick-off 2025 with an inspiring evening of innovation, connection, and collaboration in the heart of Westchester County’s life science ecosystem. 📅 Date: January 21 ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM ET 📍 Location: BioInc@NYMC Biotechnology Incubator, Valhalla, NY 📝 What’s in store? During this networking event, you'll meet the 2025 WCBA cohort, and get a first look at their cutting-edge innovations. You'll also hear from WCBA alumni, who will share valuable insights as they pitch their ventures, and share updates on their progress. Take advantage of this valuable networking opportunity to start 2025 off right! Connect with entrepreneurs, mentors, sponsors, and industry leaders shaping the bioscience landscape. This event is the official kickoff for the 2025 WCBA program and an opportunity to celebrate the thriving Westchester County bioscience community. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this dynamic evening! 🔗 Reserve your spot today: https://lu.ma/go3ngc20

Empowering Entrepreneurial Dreams: The FirstXFounder Impact "The progress of the teams during and after the programs has been inspirational. Even new entrepreneurs emerge ready to raise a healthy seed round." - Craig Kenesky, Ph.D., PhD, Associate, Patents & Innovations at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Since 2011, FirstXFounder has been a catalyst for emerging ventures in the life sciences ecosystem. Our mission goes beyond traditional acceleration—we're about creating a supportive network that transforms innovative ideas into fundable, scalable businesses. With support from corporate partners like Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, we've built a proven curriculum that guides entrepreneurs through critical startup challenges. From strategic advice to funding connections, we're committed to empowering the next generation of life science innovators in the Metro New York area. Proud to be driving innovation with our top four programs: Entrepreneurship Lab (ELabNYC) Bio & Health Tech, Next Milestone, ABCT: Accelerator for Biosciences in Connecticut, and WCBA: Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator (The Catalyst).

💡 WCBA Mentor Spotlight: Deborah Smook Since joining the WCBA mentorship program in 2021, Deborah has been a driving force in helping ventures tackle manufacturing challenges, from scaling processes to optimizing operations. As the founder of TurboFil Packaging Machines, she brings firsthand entrepreneurial expertise, coupled with a passion for education, networking, and championing early-stage businesses. Her support and insights have been instrumental in empowering WCBA innovators to achieve their goals. Thank you, Deborah, for your unwavering dedication!

🎉 Exciting News for FirstXFounder! We’re honored to announce that FirstXFounder has received the "Ecosystem Partner" Award from LifeSciencesNY!🏆 This recognition celebrates our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next wave of healthcare entrepreneurs. We’re incredibly proud to be part of this thriving community and collaborate with many inspiring partners driving the life sciences forward. 💡 Thank you, LifeSciencesNY, for this incredible honor! Here’s to reaching more milestones and expanding the impact of first-time founders in healthcare innovation!

Discover cutting-edge developments and opportunities at Westchester Life Sciences 2024! Westchester County, the organization behind the WCBA, invites you to an exclusive event on December 3, celebrating innovation and growth in the life sciences ecosystem! This gathering is a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders, academics, and fellow startups, fostering the exciting future of biotech in the region. Secure your spot to connect, gain insights, and be part of shaping Westchester’s thriving biotech community! Don’t miss your chance to engage with key decision-makers and explore how Westchester is becoming a hub for biotech innovation. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eXp4vWpT

Bioscience innovation is in full swing as we gear up for an impactful end to 2024 and beyond! From the surging interest in the WCBA program to the launch of the Biomedical Manufacturing Alliance, our programs are creating fresh opportunities and growth for healthcare entrepreneurs. Check out October’s event recaps, exciting partner updates, and get a sneak peek at what’s on the horizon for 2025! 🌱 👉 Read more in our newsletter for all the latest: https://zc.vg/HOBig?m=0