Description

• i2020 is not a general startup accelerator for tech or consumer companies — it is deeply specialized in life sciences, specifically pre-clinical drug discovery and early therapeutic platforms. 
  
  
• Its core work accelerates programs from novel research and discovery through advanced lead optimization and progression toward clinical candidate status, often targeting a ~two-year advancement horizon. 
  
  

• i2020 engages in venture investments into highly specific drug discovery ventures in partnership with co-investors, including OrbiMed Advisors and others. 
  
  
• Investments under i2020 have been multi-million dollars in total funding for groups of related drug discovery companies — for example roughly $28.5M in seed financing across multiple oncology discovery programs in one announced round and over $68.5M on later initiatives involving oncology and other disease areas. 
  
  

• i2020 does not publish a standard “check size” or fixed percent equity for every company it accelerates. Like traditional life-science investors, equity and ownership stakes are negotiated case-by-case as part of program agreements and co-investment arrangements with partners like OrbiMed. 
  
  
• Because many i2020 programs involve co-creation and deep scientific development support, equity terms reflect the level of contribution, co-investment structure, and stage of the asset rather than a preset accelerator formula.
  
  

• Deal-by-deal negotiation: Investments are structured individually, often with a blend of capital and non-dilutive support (e.g., R&D capabilities, network partnerships, scientific resources). 
  
  
• Co-investment partnerships: i2020 frequently works with institutional healthcare investors (e.g., OrbiMed) to form funding rounds that support portfolio companies in advancing preclinical portfolios. 
  
  
• Non-uniform model: Unlike typical accelerator programs that take small equity stakes for structured curriculum participation, i2020’s equity commitments are customized around scientific development needs and larger co-investment rounds.
  
  

• i2020 does not maintain an open application portal akin to general tech accelerators; instead, it engages through scientific collaborations, invited project intake, and strategic partnerships with research groups or early drug platforms. 
  
  

• Entry typically begins with scientific evaluation of a drug discovery program, followed by structured collaboration with the i2020 network and investment partners to co-develop therapeutic assets.
  
  

Eligibility

• Drug discovery and therapeutic platforms (small molecules and biologics)
  
  
• Focus on areas like oncology, immunology, neurology, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and other areas with unmet medical need. 
  
  

• Pre-clinical, early R&D phase with strong scientific validation — typically before clinical trials. 
  
  

• Based in San Diego, California (USA), with global scientific collaborations and partnerships across the life sciences ecosystem. 
  
  

• Research groups, founders, and scientific entrepreneurs with novel therapeutic platforms, validated biology, and clear development paths. Teams often include Ph.D. scientists, clinicians, and therapeutic founders aligned with drug discovery and translational medicine
  
  

Process

What an Applicant can Obtain

• Strategic Capital: Participation in multi-million-dollar funding rounds alongside institutional co-investors to advance preclinical assets. 
  
  
• Scientific Acceleration: Access to a global scientific network and resources tailored to early drug discovery projects. 
  
  
• Operational Support: Guidance on R&D strategy, candidate optimization, regulatory pathway planning, and translational readiness. 
  
  
• Co-Development Partnerships: Collaboration with partners such as ChemDiv, MolSoft, and healthcare investors to accelerate molecules to lead and clinical candidate stages.