StartLab

INVEST IN YOUR IDEA, NOT IN LAB EQUIPMENT

StartLab is more than a shared lab. It offers everything that new companies need to get up and running – from state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure to equipment. This capital-efficient model takes the time and investment involved in lab space management out of the equation, removing many of the common obstacles to getting a life sciences venture off the ground.

But that’s not all: in addition to entrepreneurial support, StartLab provides a comprehensive and flexible service offering. One key feature is our adaptable ‘pay as you play’ model: access to StartLab is based on renewable periods of three months, up to a maximum of three years. This flexibility helps small companies adjust their spending quarter by quarter, as their needs evolve. Moreover, Biopôle recognises how precious ownership capital is for a company’s future prosperity, so we don’t take any equity from StartLab members.

We know this formula works: 80% of the start-ups that have been hosted by StartLab since its inception are still in operation today. It’s the best launchpad from which young biotech companies can fly solo.

FULLY EQUIPPED
LABORATORY

At StartLab you’ll find fully equipped shared lab spaces. Each of our 64 individual benches measures 130 cm x 75 cm. The lab is tailored to companies pursuing drug discovery, diagnostics, synthetic biology, medtech and other areas of the life sciences.

You can rent one or more benches at a time, with access to the full suite of laboratory equipment and specialised facilities, including:

individual named lab benches as well as hotdesking spaces for when you’re between science experiments
shared specialised labs: cell culture (BSL 1 & 2), centrifuge, PCR, chemistry, P2 microbiology and fab-lab
shared general service rooms (autoclave/washing, machinery and cold rooms)
facility management

This shared lab space is fully licensed and run by a dedicated on-site manager who takes care of everything from equipment maintenance and obtaining the relevant permits to safety procedures, waste management and training newcomers in how to use the equipment. The lab manager will also assist you with any technical issues.

Individual bench rental: from CHF 1,800/month

List of equipment

FRONT OFFICE
MANAGEMENT

You have a business to run, and we want to help you do just that. Our front office management service allows you to focus on your growth while we take care of the admin.

We offer a suite of administrative services on a pay-per-use basis. This includes:
secretarial and administrative support

fibre-optic internet and remote server access
a grouped purchasing system for both office and laboratory consumables (invoices are to be paid individually)
washing services and waste management for the laboratory area
a cleaning service
a stock of common glassware and standard chemistry lab products
free WiFi

SHARED OFFICE SPACE

Join a community of like-minded companies, researchers, entrepreneurs and accomplished professionals.
The fully furnished co-working space houses 46 individual desks measuring 160 cm x 80 cm, with access to:

a shared kitchen and lounge
shared meeting rooms and event spaces for up to 35 people
phone booths
personal and company lockers
a cloakroom and showers

Individual desk rental: 500 CHF/month

EXTENDED RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE

In collaboration with the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL), both of which are present on campus, Biopôle offers StartLab residents the opportunity to take advantage of existing research infrastructure and offers priority access to the various life sciences platforms on campus and beyond. The list of available platforms is updated regularly.

List of academic platforms

THE BEST START FOR LIFE SCIENCES ENTREPRENEURS

INDIVIDUAL BENCHES

as well as hotdesking spaces

SHARED SPECIALISED LABS

cell culture, BSL2, fab-lab, centrifuge, PCR, chemistry and P2 microbiology

INDIVIDUAL DESKS

with access to shared common facilities

RESIDENT START-UPS

in 2024