About us
TechBio Boost is a fast-paced accelerator program designed to support early-stage UK companies at the intersection of technology and biotechnology. Through expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and access to industry leaders, investors, and peers, participating startups gain the insights and connections they need to scale.
The program brings together a diverse cohort of Series A-stage companies tackling challenges in drug discovery, diagnostics, synthetic biology, and more—leveraging AI, computational biology, and other cutting-edge approaches. With tailored support and strategic guidance, TechBio Boost helps founders refine their business models, strengthen their teams, and accelerate their path to success.
Organized and run through a partnership between the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA) and KQ Labs, the program is funded by UKSPF funding from the Mayor of London’s office, with the support and guidance of London & Partners and Grow London. It culminates in a Demo Day, where startups showcase their progress to investors and key stakeholders in the TechBio ecosystem. By bridging the gap between biotech and tech, TechBio Boost plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of innovative companies in the UK.
Our experience with TechBio Boost has been transformative. We received dedicated 1:2:1 support, both virtually and in person, which helped us refine our growth and fundraising strategy. The workshops provided valuable insights into market expansion, funding opportunities, and regulatory pathways. As a direct result, we secured new partnerships, increased revenue, and expanded our team with two new hires.
I highly recommend TechBio Boost to any emerging techbio company in the London area. This
program is the go-to resource for driving growth and success in this dynamic sector.
The programme is incredibly well-structured, offering a diverse mix of workshops, networking
events, and 1:1 mentoring sessions that address key challenges faced by startups in the biotech
and pharma sectors. The focus on practical topics, such as fundraising, commercialization, and
collaborations with pharma, ensured that we left with actionable insights and skills.
The highlight of the programme is the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and investors
throughout and the TechBio Boost Demo Day, which are pivotal for building networks and
gaining visibility.
Early stage growth is a complex and challenging period where support and networking are
absolutely critical to success. This program offered both of these in abundance and has be
instrumental in helping to understand and prepare for key decisions that will impact the
company long-term.
About BIA
The BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the voice of the innovative life sciences and biotech industry, enabling and connecting the UK ecosystem so that businesses can start, grow and deliver world-changing innovation.
BIA is an award-winning trade association with over 600 members including start-ups, biotechnology and innovative life science companies; pharma and tech companies; universities, research centres, tech transfer offices, incubators and accelerators and a wide range of life science service providers.
About KQ Labs
KQ Labs is an accelerator programme at the Francis Crick Institute, dedicated to transforming healthcare through data-driven solutions. Located in London’s Knowledge Quarter, KQ Labs connects start-ups with partners across the UK and globally, fostering growth and driving healthcare innovation. They support early-stage start-ups with a customised curriculum, offering domain-specific expertise, strategic introductions, and tailored mentoring from a network of hand-picked experts. Their programme maintains a global outlook, ensuring start-ups are well-positioned for international success.
Meet TechBio Boost team
Barbara Domayne-Hayman
Barbara has worked on the commercial side of life sciences for thirty years, first in a large organisation (ICI/Zeneca/AstraZeneca), before transitioning to the entrepreneurial world of biotech. Barbara joined the Francis Crick Institute in January 2018 as Entrepreneur-in-residence, where amongst other things, she co-founded, led and now is Chair of the KQ Labs accelerator, which is focused on start-ups from all over the UK who are making use of data/AI applied to health. She is also Chief Business Officer of Autifony, where she is responsible for strategic partnering, fundraising and commercial aspects of drug development for CNS disorders. Barbara was also Chair of Puridify, a UCL spin-out with a breakthrough biotherapeutics purification technology, which was acquired by GE (now Cytiva) in November 2017. She is a member of the investment committees of the LifeArc Ventures Fund, and the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Fund. Previously, Barbara was CEO of Stabilitech, and she was Commercial Director at Arrow Therapeutics until the company was acquired by AstraZeneca. Barbara was also Senior Business Development Manager at Celltech. Barbara has a BA and D Phil in Chemistry from the University of Oxford, and is a Sloan Fellow from London Business School.
Jane Wall
What does your role at BIA involve?
Strategic leadership of the organisation and oversight of P&L to ensure that BIA is a sustainable, successful, and ever-evolving association. Serving the needs of existing members, growing new communities, and increasing member benefit; producing sector-leading thought leadership and events, growing influence, reach and impact.
Previous experience & achievements
25 years of experience managing teams in academic publishing and membership organisations: providing strategic and editorial direction combined with business acumen; driving operational, organisational and community development, profitability, and innovation. Previous roles at Oxford University Press, Taylor & Francis (Informa PLC), Oxford Brookes University, Fire Protection Association and Food and Drink Federation. Jane holds a first degree in Italian and European Literature from Warwick University, MA in Social Anthropology from SOAS and MBA from Oxford Brookes Business School.
If you could invite any scientist to dinner, who would it be?
Galileo Galilei: having been slightly obsessed with Italian culture and the Renaissance, I was fascinated by Florence, the Medicis and their patronage of artists and scientists. I am always in awe of the bravery and foresight of individuals willing to push human understanding beyond what was/is generally acceptable at the time: Galileo was willing to risk the ire of the Inquisition and to live condemned as a heretic in times when the punishment was extreme – to become the ‘father of modern science’.
Sam Cruickshank
What does your role at BIA involve?
As Programme Manager, Sam oversees the agenda for events that the BIA runs, coordinating with speakers and ensuring that we deliver interesting events that meet the needs of our members and the wider sector. He also oversees BIA's start-up activities to support early-stage companies in the UK ecosystem.
Previous experience & achievements
Sam previously worked in scientific publishing, coordinating peer review and strategic planning and development of scientific journals. Prior to this, he studied for Masters in Biology at the University of Sheffield.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
Probably Darwin – as well as being a fascinating person, given the other strange things he ate, he’s unlikely to complain about my cooking!
Alina O'Keeffe
What does your role at BIA involve?
Alina joined the BIA in October 2021 as Head of Marketing and Membership Communications. She leads the marketing team and is responsible for developing effective marketing strategies, which play an integral role in achieving BIA's strategic goals and strengthening brand awareness and member engagement. She also helps manage the BIA's Charity of the Year partnership and other strategic collaborations.
Previous experience & achievements
Alina has more than ten years of experience in management and international communications. She plays an integral role in achieving BIA's strategic goals. Her experience lies in various sectors, from the UK's further education sector and national bereavement charity to an international humanitarian and & development organisation and finance/energy events company. She is a published author on marketing, leadership and innovation with a focus on international development and sustainability.
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
I'd love to meet Maria Salomea Sklodowska, mostly known by her French name - Marie Curie. Despite facing some daunting hurdles, both because of her gender and her family’s poverty, which stemmed from the struggle for independence from the Russian regime, she was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for their work on radioactivity and discovering new elements.
Emma Fox
Emma joined the Crick in 2019, and is the KQ Labs Programme Lead. Prior to the Crick, Emma coordinated clinical trials at the Health Literacy and Learning Program at Northwestern University in Chicago. Emma also has experience designing and facilitating workshops around NHS improvement and human centred design.
Charlotte Rupp
Charlotte is the Entrepreneurship Administrator at KQ Labs. Before joining, she studied Neuroscience and previously worked as a project coordinator at an NGO, managing initiatives to foster youth advocacy and leadership.
Cristina Hernandez Vazquez
What does your role at BIA involve?
As the Skills Programme Executive at the BioIndustry Association (BIA), I am dedicated to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent within the life sciences sector. I oversee a range of initiatives designed to equip our members with the skilled workforce they need to thrive. By providing targeted training programs, fostering industry collaborations, and advocating for policies that support workforce development, I ensure that our member companies have access to professionals with the right expertise to drive innovation and growth. <br>
Previous experience & achievements
I studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at King's College London, earning First Class Honours for my dissertation on the impact of healthcare policy changes on hospital function. During my time at King's, I completed a government affairs internship at a telecommunications company in Spain. After graduating, I backpacked across South America and secured a digital marketing internship, successfully increasing year-on-year bookings for a venue during the off-peak season. <br>
If you could invite any scientist or entrepreneur to dinner, who would it be and why?
If I could invite any scientist to dinner, it would be Dr. Jane Goodall. Her groundbreaking work in primatology has not only advanced our understanding of chimpanzees but also highlighted the importance of conservation. As a leading female scientist and a passionate advocate for the environment, she has inspired generations to appreciate and protect wildlife. I would love to discuss her discoveries, her conservation efforts, and her insights on the future of our planet. <br>