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✨ Onyx Summary
MassBio and SCbio opened applications for the Spring 2026 cohort of Drive, a national accelerator for early-stage biotech and biomarker/diagnostic startups, with programs running March 23–May 15, 2026 and an application deadline of January 16, 2026.
The announcement reflects continued investment in early scientific founders, building on a unified accelerator model that has supported 59 companies since 2022 and helped them raise $175 million by pairing sector-specific programming with national mentorship and industry access.
MassBio and SCbio are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2026 cohort of Drive, the national accelerator supporting scientific founders and early-stage biotech and biomarker/diagnostic startups. For this cycle, MassBio will facilitate the biotech program, while SCbio will facilitate the biomarkers and diagnostics program.
While Drive’s core components (the application process, mentor community, and 8-week curriculum) remain consistent across locations, each cohort will tailor elements of the program to support the unique needs of the startups within its focus area.
- Spring 2026 Application closes on January 16, 2026, at 11:59 AM ET
- Spring 2026 cohorts will run March 23 – May 15, 2026
Who should apply: Drive supports scientific founders and startups that have raised less than $1.5M in dilutive capital and have access to their IP – with no geographic restrictions. Ideal applicants are looking to develop business literacy, receive hands-on guidance from industry leaders, and grow their professional networks.
More detailed eligibility criteria can be found in the program FAQ.
Biotech Applicants:
- You have a high-potential therapeutic pipeline or platform with an asset.
Biomarker & Diagnostic Applicants:
- You are using machine learning, high-performance or quantum computing to identify or develop biomarkers, diagnostics, and tests that stratify patients, predict disease progression, or accelerate therapeutic selection.
Applicants must decide before beginning the application whether they are applying for the biotech or biomarker/diagnostic program. The application takes approximately one hour to complete; applicants are encouraged to draft responses offline before submitting.
What to expect: Over an 8-week hybrid program, the selected startups will receive:
- Six expert-led, industry-specific curriculum modules.
- Weekly sessions with a tailored team of mentors.
- Networking opportunities and industry connections throughout.
- In-person Demo Days:
- Charleston (May 2026)
- Boston / MassBio Align Summit (October 2026)
- Drive participants will receive in-kind prizes from Premier Sponsors specific to SCbio and MassBio.
What’s we’re saying:
- “As our industry looks to turn a corner from recent challenges, resourcing early-stage startups and scientific founders remains essential to maintaining a strong innovation pipeline and unlocking the breakthroughs that patients need,” said MassBio CEO & President Kendalle Burlin O’Connell. “Our ongoing partnership with SCbio enables us to expand Drive’s reach and responsiveness, ensuring the program evolves to meet the needs of emerging companies in both therapeutics and the rapidly advancing diagnostics and biomarker space.”
- “We are proud to support emerging life sciences companies on their journey, allowing them to refine their science and share their vision with a room full of investors, all for advancing health and patient outcomes,” said SCbio President and CEO James Chappell. “As we continue to grow Drive, we are excited to introduce a program focused on biomarkers and diagnostics – supporting companies that develop the tests and tools that identify diseases earlier, guide treatment decisions and improve the way patients receive care.”
- “At Bristol Myers Squibb, we’re committed to fostering breakthrough innovation and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the Massachusetts life sciences community,” said Emma Lees, Senior Vice President, Oncology Research and Cambridge Site Head for Bristol Myers Squibb. “Supporting the MassBio Drive 2026 cohort reflects our belief that collaboration between industry and early-stage biotech pioneers is critical for accelerating transformative solutions to patients. We’re proud to continue our efforts with MassBio, guiding the next generation of trailblazers as they turn bold scientific ideas into real-world impact.”
The history: Last year, MassBio and SCbio restructured their accelerator initiatives, MassBioDrive and SCbioDrive, to form a unified national program: Drive. This shift reflects a shared commitment to supporting emerging startups and scientific founders wherever they operate while expanding access to strengthened networks, mentors, and industry resources.
The results: Since launching in 2022, Drive has supported 59 early-stage companies that have raised $175 million in funding.
Questions? Please visit the Drive program page, FAQ, or reach out to innovation@massbio.org.
