About

Our Mission

To maintain Northern California’s leadership in life science innovation through support of entrepreneurship, science education and life science career development.

Our Strategic Focus

The BayBio Institute (BBI) strives to ensure that the economic and intellectual power of the region's life science industry and its employees remains strong. By maintaining our focus on programs related to entrepreneurship, science education and life science career development, BBI supports the foundations of life science innovation that have made Northern California the most prominent life science cluster in the world. As a non-profit 501(c)(3), our objectives are met through collaborations, partnerships, and the generosity of individuals and foundations.

• Located in the birthplace of biotechnology, BBI is committed to ensuring that life science entrepreneurs connect to the capital and resources needed to sustain critical innovation in the industry.

• By supporting science education and educators, BBI helps build the next generation of life science professionals.

• By exposing students to career pathways and opportunities in the life sciences, connecting employers and job seekers through the BayBio Career Center, and providing professional development opportunities to incumbent workers, BBI ensures that the workforce pipeline for the industry remains strong.

Our History

BBI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) established in 1990 as the Bay Area Bioscience Center by the founders of biotechnology, a consortium of public officials, and educators who saw a need to maintain and promote the intellectual and educational climate of the region. In 2006, the organization divided its activities into two separate but coordinated entities: the BayBio Institute and the BayBio Association. The BayBio Institute focuses on supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, science education, life science career development and the Northern California life science industry; the BayBio Association, a 501(c)(6) trade association, focuses on advocacy and improvement of business conditions for the industry. Over the last 20 years, the BayBio Institute has been a resource for educators, start up companies, and life science professionals throughout Northern California.

Programs

The BayBio Institute’s activities are strategically focused in three program areas: 

Entrepreneurship

The Network for Entrepreneurial Strategies & Tactics (NEST) provides life science entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

• Investor connections and networking opportunities for life science start-ups and entrepreneurs
• Nuts and bolts workshops, providing information on strategic, operational and financial resources

Science Education

The BayBio Institute connects the life science industry with K-12 education and community colleges to improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and to make students aware of and prepared for career opportunities in the life science industry.

• Connects industry volunteers with educators through Bio-Community.org
• Facilitates equipment and supply donations from Northern California organizations to local classrooms
• Hosts the Bay Area BioGENEius Challenge, a regional high school biotech competition
• Raises public awareness of the industry through media campaigns

Life Science Careers

The BayBio Institute works to ensure that the current and anticipated workforce needs of the industry are met.

• The BayBio Career Center matches Northern California employers' needs with available talent and assists job seekers with their career search
• Workforce surveys capture current and projected hiring trends to inform life science education and training programs
• Professional development workshops provide continuing education for life science employees