Description
IBD Ventures is the venture philanthropy fund of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation designed to accelerate the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel products that address unmet needs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The program provides strategic funding (up to $500,000) and advisory support to companies and academic teams developing therapeutics, diagnostics, and other innovative solutions for IBD patients, leveraging scientific expertise and industry guidance to bridge research and product impact.
Eligibility
• Organizations engaged in product discovery or development for IBD (including biopharma companies and academic investigators).
• Must have appropriate resources and capabilities, including staff and operations, to advance development.
• Eligible projects must address unmet patient needs in IBD with a clear go-to-market strategy and product IP potential.
Process
Application Submission: Interested companies or investigators submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through proposalCENTRAL.
Review: LOIs are reviewed twice per year (typically with deadlines in February and August).
Full Proposal Invitation: If invited, applicants submit a full proposal.
Evaluation: A multidisciplinary committee evaluates proposals based on potential impact, product readiness, and unmet patient need.
Funding & Support: Successful applicants may receive up to $500,000 in funding per project, alongside tailored accelerator resources and advising.
What an Applicant can Obtain
✔ Up to $500,000 in funding per project per year to support product development for IBD.
✔ Strategic advisory support from scientific, clinical, and business experts provided by the Foundation.
✔ Accelerator-style resources and coaching tailored to product advancement.
✔ Potential strategic equity investments where applicable (terms negotiated per investment).
✔ Access to the Foundation’s network, including patients, researchers, and industry collaborators to support development and commercialization.
