Description

• Venture Competitions: Startups typically apply through annual competition programs, such as the Women’s Venture Competition (for female scientist-entrepreneurs) and the BRACE Award Venture Competition (for cancers prevalent in underserved populations).
• Submission Requirements: Applicants must provide a detailed business plan (often a PowerPoint deck of up to 12 slides), financial projections, and a short video introducing the venture and its scientific innovation. 

Eligibility

• Sector: Exclusively focused on oncology and high-impact life science startups.
• Founder Profile: Requirements can vary by competition, for instance, the Women's Venture Competition requires at least one woman in senior leadership with equity.
• Innovation: Companies must have ownership of disruptive technology addressing unmet needs in cancer treatment.
• Geography: Startups from anywhere in the world are eligible.

Process

1. Online Application: Submission of business and scientific documentation via the official portal.
2. Screening: A committee of scientific and business advisors reviews applications based on technical quality and potential impact.
3. Semi-Finalist Presentations: Selected startups pitch to a judging committee of key opinion leaders in the oncology field.
4. Due Diligence: An Investment Committee conducts rigorous due diligence on finalists, including IP assessment and clinical strategy refinement.
5. Awards/Investment: Winners receive honorariums and are considered for direct investment from AIM-HI and its co-investor network. 

What an Applicant can Obtain

• Capital: Early investments typically range from $200,000 to $600,000, with some competition winners potentially receiving up to $1 million in seed funding from AIM-HI and co-investors.
• Coaching & Mentorship: Access to a network of industry experts and advisors.
• Visibility: Opportunities for presentation and recognition within the oncology community.