BioTools Innovator Begins VANGUARD Program with Inaugural Accelerator Track Cohort and Nearly $1M in Funding Awards

BioTools Innovator VANGUARD supports development and commercialization efforts of 15 startups through acceleration and non-dilutive funding awards

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioTools Innovator (BTI) VANGUARD has selected five companies for up to $200,000 in non-dilutive funding contracts and 10 companies for the 2025 Accelerator Track. Through the two arms of the program, BTI VANGUARD aims to support the development and commercialization of innovative enabling technologies that could be readily deployed as medical countermeasures in the event of a health emergency.

“I’m very excited to welcome the inaugural companies selected for the BTI VANGUARD Accelerator Track and DEV projects,” said Kathryn Zavala, Managing Director of BioTools Innovator. “These companies are tackling some of the toughest challenges facing biosecurity today and we look forward to supporting their progress, alongside our partners, over the course of the program.”

BTI is the first accelerator focused exclusively on life science tools and diagnostics startups. VANGUARD is a joint initiative between BTI and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to support startups in deploying innovative medical countermeasures that enhance the U.S.’ readiness for public health emergencies.*

Five startup companies have each been awarded up to $200K in non-dilutive funding for 6-month technical development, evaluation, and validation projects. Over 220 project proposals were submitted for consideration. Only five startups were selected based on the potential of their technologies to accelerate drug discovery, advance biomanufacturing capabilities, or improve clinical research and care coordination. These companies will receive mentorship from a team of subject matter experts over a 6-month project period to navigate technology development and commercialization and ensure key project milestones are met.

The five companies that were awarded non-dilutive funding are:

• Ark Biotech – “Accelerating Time to Market with Bioreactor Simulation Software”
• CellChorus – “AI-enabled Pathogen-Immune Profiling Using TIMING™ Single Cell Assays”
• Entropic Biosciences – “A High Throughput (HTS) 3D Skin Model for Screening of Chemical and Radiation Insults”
• Legomics – “Rapid and Accurate Gene Scale DNA Synthesis”
• Pumpkinseed Technologies – “Lab-in-the-Loop AI Biothreat Therapeutic Candidate Generator”

Ten companies from the 2025 BTI Accelerator Cohort were also selected to participate in the VANGUARD Accelerator Track. In addition to BTI programming and mentorship, these companies will receive additional support to develop a strategy around how their innovation can support BARDA’s health security mission. The companies will receive guidance and support from BARDA subject matter experts as well as a tailored educational curriculum.

The 10 companies selected for the BTI VANGUARD Accelerator Track are:

• Aridica
• Brightest Bio
• CHO Plus
• Eukarÿs
• Evoworks Bio
• Inso Biosciences
• Model Medicines
• Osem Fluidics
• Oxbridge Clinical
• Ramona Optics

Applications will open for the second round of VANGUARD funding in mid-August. Companies are invited to join the waitlist for the upcoming funding proposal solicitation and the BTI VANGUARD 2026 Accelerator Track application, which will open in October.

*This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under agreement number 75A50124C00034.

About BioTools Innovator VANGUARD

BioTools Innovator (BTI) VANGUARD is the Enabling Technologies hub of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Accelerator Network as part of BARDA’s ongoing mission to support the development of medical countermeasures to prepare for and respond to dynamic or unpredictable biothreats. VANGUARD is powered by Los Angeles-based BTI, which was established to advance cutting-edge research and improve human health by accelerating the growth of a broad spectrum of life science tools and diagnostics. BTI matches industry leaders with innovative early-stage and emerging growth biotechnology-focused companies for mentorship and support.

For more information about BTI VANGUARD, visit the website and follow the organization on LinkedIn.