For scientists
The second call for research and innovation projects will be launched on 6 October. The deadline for applications is 7 November. The programme offers funding of up to €190,000 per project to turn scientific innovation into practical solutions.
How to apply?
Regulations and documents
Industry panellists
BioPhot Call 1 PIP Presentation Evaluation Panel
Dr. Irit Yaniv, M.D., MBA, is a healthcare business executive, investor and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience in medical devices and digital health. She is the co-founder and Chairman of Almeda Ventures, a public health technology research and development fund, and was previously a General Partner at Accelmed, a venture capital fund, where she participated in the sale of several successful companies including Eximo Medical, Cartiheal and SoniVie. Dr Janiva has held senior positions at Metacure and Impulse Dynamics and co-founded Digma Medical and NitiNotes. She is an active speaker, mentor and advisor in the Israeli health technology ecosystem and serves on several boards and accelerator programs.
Matīss Neimanis is Managing Partner and CEO of Buildit Latvia, a venture capital fund and accelerator. The fund specialises in early-stage investments in hardware and deep technology and has more than 50 investments in its portfolio. Matīss is also Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association and was previously a board member of the Digital Accelerator Latvia. He has more than 15 years of experience in startup support, innovation policy development and technology commercialisation, including at the University of Latvia and the Green Industries Innovation Centre. He holds a PhD in Sociology and an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Dr Peter Birk is a life sciences executive, investor and advisor with more than 25 years of experience in biotechnology and healthcare innovation. He is a partner at Accelerace, where he leads investments in biotech and medtech and has advised more than 50 start-ups. He is co-founder of the Nordic Mentor Network for Entrepreneurship (NOME) and has been instrumental in helping companies such as MonTa Biosciences and Cessatech raise and develop funding, successfully raising capital and becoming public companies.
Previously, he held senior positions, including Vice President at EpiTherapeutics (acquired by Gilead) and Pharmexa (acquired by Affitech). Peter Burke holds a PhD in protein engineering and is active on several advisory boards and startup evaluation committees across Europe and the US.
Martin Askne is an experienced startup coach, innovation manager and business angel with more than 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship and early-stage business development. He is currently working at RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), where he leads pre-incubation and supports startups using Lean Startup methodologies.
Mārtiņš has co-founded or co-founded 14 start-ups in various sectors including life sciences, information and communication technologies (ICT), food and beverage, and digital outdoor media. He is also a board member and investor in several circular economy and technology companies, including Brighteco and Workify, and co-founded AdCityMedia, a public digital outdoor media company.
Specialises in medical technology development, entrepreneurship and investments in healthcare innovation. With more than 20 years of experience in founding and leading medical device and pharmaceutical companies, he has been a key driver in the commercialisation of ophthalmology and neurology technologies.
Dr Barak Azmon is the founder and CEO of several medical start-ups, including Notal Vision, Potentia and Azura. He is an active advisor and board member to a number of companies and works with venture capital funds in the healthcare technology space. As a partner at Accuitive Medical Ventures and The Innovation Factory, he has contributed to the development of early-stage medical innovation.
With a medical background and clinical experience in ophthalmology, he combines scientific understanding with strategic thinking to create sustainable solutions tailored to patients' needs. A passionate medical innovator, he builds bridges between science, business and investment on a global scale.
BioPhot Call 2 PIP Presentation Evaluation Panel
Ph.D. in Physics - Optics and Photonics, EMBA, MBA; B-Corp leader, high-tech entrepreneur with successful exit, regenerative business practitioner, CDL representative.
More than 20 years of experience in developing and financing sustainable innovations. As an entrepreneur and business developer in the high-tech sector, Julien sold his previous company with over 100 employees to a Japanese company Screen.
Julien has supported the development of several innovation ecosystems and start-ups as a developer and investor. His latest project Beyond Builders helps organisations and projects build sustainable, long-term business models with a positive and measurable impact.
Ph.D. in nanotechnology and materials chemistry; B.Sc. in applied sciences and engineering; early stage investor and board member in deep tech and defence start-ups.
With more than 10 years of experience in investing in breakthrough technologies critical to defence and national security, several of his investments have become “unicorns”. He has helped turn breakthroughs into products and visions for the future.
Nearly 30 years of experience in vacuum and gas handling solutions. Since 1996 Intel, participating in the launch and commissioning of Israel's first 200 mm facility (FAB). Operational and technical leader Intel SubFAB structures around the world.
Launched in 2022 to “bring science into the SubFAB environment” and established International SubFAB Research Labs.
Ph.D. in Sociology; MBA
Early stage investor in deep tech and hardware start-ups, university innovation management, LVCA.
MD, Ophthalmology; founder of medical technology and pharmaceutical companies; innovator in ophthalmic diagnostics; venture capital partner in early stage medical technologies; senior consultant and advisory board member.
One of the Notal Vision the co-founders and the company's former CEO. Company Azura Ophthalmics, Pres-By Vision and V6 Co-founder. Worked in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre in the ophthalmology department. Former partner Accuitive Medical Venture, advised numerous venture capital funds and participated in the development of several medical technologies. He received a grant from the Israel Science Foundation for his research on visual cortex and object recognition.
PhD in organic chemistry; MBA in pharmaceutical innovation; life sciences investment leader; expert in biotechnology and medical technology assessment; entrepreneur with experience in developing and scaling scientific innovations.
LinkedInPh.D. in Biology; Life Sciences executive with over 20 years of experience in business development, technology transfer and alliance management; expert in strategic partnerships, licensing and commercialisation of early-stage biotechnology and medical technologies.
Specialising in strategic partnerships, licensing negotiations and guiding early-stage start-ups to successful commercialisation. She has been Hadasit CEO - Hadassah Medical Organisation's Technology Transfer Facility, where I will transform the company into an innovation hub, generating significant revenue through global partnerships. Co-founder with IBM Hadassah Digital Health Accelerator. She has also led business development and strategy Ramot, She is a professor at Tel Aviv University and co-founder of a biotech start-up.
LinkedInConsulting experts
BioPhot offers expert advice to Research and Innovation (R&I) project promoters, covering technology transfer and intellectual property issues to facilitate successful commercialisation and market uptake.
Expertise: technology transfer, R&D commercialisation, research-industry collaboration, biotechnology and life sciences.
Expertise: intellectual property, patents, designs, technology transfer, valuation of intellectual property.
Expertise: commercialisation of intellectual property, engineering and life sciences.
Expertise: intellectual property protection, technology transfer and commercialisation, innovation readiness assessment.
Expertise: technology and IP commercialisation, know-how transfer and contracting, licensing, prototyping, attracting investors, pre-project technology assessment, technology market, international cooperation. In-depth knowledge of different innovative technologies.
Expertise: intellectual property, knowledge and technology transfer, commercialisation, valorisation, collaboration with industry.
Expertise: intellectual property law and management, technology transfer, contract drafting, intellectual property strategy, institutional technology and innovation policy and regulation.
Ask a question
Mentors
Each project will be assigned a mentor to help with the project's progress.
How to book your first mentoring sessionfor the BioPhoT project call?
1. Please familiarize yourself with the KTH Innovation Readiness Level methodology, paying particular attention to the TRL section.
2. Complete the application form (including TRL information about your innovation project).
3. Select a mentor and book a consultation time, pasting a link to your completed application form (e.g., SharePoint, Google drive in the reservation field.
If the project has been approved within the BioPhoT project call or if you are registering for a follow-up consultation,please select a mentor and make a time reservation.
About the mentor
Specialises in early-stage investments, commercialisation of science-intensive technologies and development of mentoring programmes. With more than 10 years of experience in investment, acceleration programmes and financial management, he has fostered high-tech innovation and the growth of young entrepreneurs.
Andris works at Riga Technical University, supporting the transaction flow management of the BioPhoT platform. As UniLab Manager, he develops early-stage entrepreneurship programmes, develops university start-ups and leads the expansion of the mentor network, including the creation of the NATO DIANA Accelerator within UniLab Defence.
Member of the Board of the Commercialisation Reactor Fund, leading early-stage investments and investor relations. While at ALTUM, he developed state-backed investment funds, including Baltic Innovation Fund I (EUR 130 million) and its EUR 156 million investment fund. EUR 156 million. Experience at the Latvian Ministry of Finance has given him a broad understanding of financial management and strategic investment planning.
A passionate connector between science, industry and investment, supporting deep-tech start-ups, mentoring programmes and the development of innovation ecosystems in Europe.
About the mentor
Science-intensive (deeptech) is a technology entrepreneur and strategic mentor specialising in technology commercialisation, systemic change and career development in science-intensive industries. As co-founder and CEO of a biotech start-up, she has gained an in-depth understanding of innovation development and market uptake. She has advised early-stage start-ups and helped researchers translate scientific discoveries into market-ready solutions
Works closely with the European Innovation Council's accelerator, venture capital networks and mentoring programmes to support technology transfer and investment strategies. Her expertise lies in bridging research and business, managing innovation and fostering sustainable growth.
About the mentor
Commercialisation expert, entrepreneur and business strategist specialising in technology transfer, start-up development and investment attraction. More than 10 years of experience in raising €700,000 of venture capital for high-tech start-ups, managed the first European Space Agency contracts for Latvian start-ups.
As a senior expert at the Institute of Solid State Physics at the University, he accelerates the commercialisation of research in sensors, electronics, optics and biotechnology. He has co-founded several start-ups and mentored more than 20 deep-tech start-ups, building bridges between science and industry.
About the mentor
More than 20 years' experience in science, innovation and technology commercialisation, helping to turn research results into real solutions. His expertise covers renewable energy, photonics and smart materials, with a particular focus on fostering science-industry collaboration.
As Head of Development at the Institute of Solid State Physics, he has led commercialisation projects, supported start-ups and fostered collaboration between research and business. He has organised industry hackathons, designed innovation programmes and contributed to the development of the Latvian photonics and smart materials ecosystem.
In addition to management experience, he has practical knowledge of intellectual property management, technology transfer and business strategy. He founded and managed a high-tech start-up in the field of solar technologies, where he was responsible for business strategy, product development, marketing and investment attraction.
As a mentor, he helps science and innovation teams understand the commercialisation process, develop market strategies, attract investment and build collaborations with industry.
Entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in startup development and technology-driven product creation. I’ve co-founded and led ventures across various sectors, including digital identity, document management, fintech, data governance and SaaS solutions. My focus is on early-stage development from idea to MVP and market validation, working closely with users and industry partners to build solutions that deliver real value.
I bring broad experience in fundraising through both traditional venture capital and alternative financing channels. Over the years, I’ve built a strong investor network across Europe and the US and have a deep understanding of what it takes to turn a concept into an investable opportunity.
As a mentor, I support teams in structuring their development path, identifying the right market fit, and crafting a clear value proposition. I’m particularly interested in helping research-based innovations successfully transition into scalable, growth-ready businesses.
About the mentor
Business development and innovation expert with more than 18 years of international experience working with corporations, start-ups and multinational organisations. She has worked for globally renowned companies including Microsoft, Procter & Gamble and NielsenIQ, where she learned the ins and outs of sales, marketing, strategic partnerships and operational management.
Deep understanding of business growth strategies in different sectors, based on experience in international markets and multi-stakeholder work.In addition to working in a corporate environment, she was an innovation and business development advisor at ECR Baltic.
Active in the start-up ecosystem, combining entrepreneurial experience with strategic mentoring. She has been a mentor and evaluator at EIT Food, NewChip Accelerator and UniLab, supporting the development of early-stage startups.
Her expertise lies in fostering innovation and industry collaboration, helping to create sustainable, scalable and impactful business models.
About the mentor
Science-intensive (deeptech) technology commercialisation expert, entrepreneur and business strategist with extensive experience helping scientists turn research into market-ready solutions. He specialises in aerospace technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and industrial automation, helping start-ups to develop products and attract investment.
With in-depth knowledge of investment attraction, sales strategies and market penetration, he has successfully advised start-ups to help them compete in the global marketplace. His expertise includes technology transfer, business development and strategic expansion, making him a valuable mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneur and business angel specialising in science-intensive (deeptech) in technology, education and productivity. He has founded and led companies in various sectors and countries, acting as founder, CEO, investor, advisor and independent board member.
In 2021, he was named Investor of the Year by the Latvian Venture Capital Association and the Latvian Business Angel Network. Voldemārs is actively involved in the Nordic innovation ecosystem, supporting high-tech start-ups and investment networks.
A strategist with a strong problem-solving portfolio to help turn ideas into products and assets into capital. With extensive experience in mentoring, business growth and investment strategies,
Voldemārs is a valuable mentor for start-ups moving towards technology commercialisation.
KTH IRL METHODOLOGY
“BioPhoT will use the following tools to evaluate research and innovation projects at entry, mid-term and final stages KTH Innovation Readiness Level a methodology developed by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
The KTH IRL is a useful tool for research teams and Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) beyond BioPhoT to assess the maturity of projects with commercial potential and to plan the work/tasks to be carried out to move a specific idea/technology towards commercialisation.
KTH Innovation Readiness Level Methodology.
- helps to assess the readiness of an innovation at different stages of its development
- covers all critical aspects: technology, market, business model, team, intellectual property and funding readiness
- provides a structured approach to the effective development and commercialisation of innovations
- helps identify critical points and priorities for the next steps in development
The KTH IRL framework is based on six key dimensions of innovation development, each with a scale of 1-9 levels of readiness, with clear requirements and targets to be met at each level:
- Customer Readiness Level (CRL) - confirm customer needs and interest
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) - develop and test a technology, product or service
- Business Model Readiness Level (BRL) - to ensure the sustainability of the business model (financially, socially, environmentally)
- IPR Readiness Level (IPRL) - clearly define and protect intellectual property rights
- Team Readiness Level (TMRL) - assemble and develop a competent and coherent team
- Funding Readiness Level (FRL) - to provide the necessary funding to turn an idea into a marketable product
Useful materials:
Submit a project
Projects are assessed on their potential for commercialisation and adaptability to industry requirements.
If you are a scientist and want to get involved in BioPhoT,
read the Regulations and send your application to biophot@osi.lv.