Bayer Co.Lab Kobe

In-person

Accepts up to 4 startups

No initial funding

0% equity

2 years

Subsidized bench space

Background
What we're looking for
What we can offer you
Who we are
Q&A

Leverage Bayer’s expertise, network, and lab infrastructure to bring your ideas to life—with no strings attached.

Background

At Bayer, we’re always looking to support new technologies and creative approaches to develop more effective treatments for diseases. If you're an early- to mid-stage life science start-up developing innovative approaches to advance human health, then Bayer Co.Lab Kobe can offer you the dynamic atmosphere you need to succeed.

Located in the heart of one of Japan’s largest biomedical innovation clusters, Bayer Co.Lab Kobe leverages Bayer’s extensive pharmaceutical expertise and global network to help translate ideas into impact, providing startups with access to top-notch laboratory facilities, collaborative work areas, and mentorship from Bayer’s global and local teams. The facility is designed for essential R&D in molecular and cell biology, offers dedicated support to help startups engage with both Japanese and international markets, and fosters a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and scientists.

Startups applying for this opportunity can be based anywhere in the world but must be willing to carry out part or all of their operations onsite in Kobe, Japan, if selected. Visa sponsorship is not available.

What we're looking for

Areas of interest

We're interested in startups focused on areas including:

Cardiovascular & Renal, including adjacent indications with high unmet medical need: Treatment opportunities for sub-population of heart and kidney diseases and acute organ injuries
Oncology: Treatment opportunities for solid tumors, disease-biomarker linkage or genetical alterations leading to better efficacy or safety
Cell & Gene Therapy: Treatment opportunities in neurology & rare diseases, innovative DDS and manufacturing technologies

Startup location

Accepting applications from startups based in all countries

Stage of funding

We're looking for startups at the following stages:

Pre-seed
Seed
Series A
Series B

Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL)

We're looking for startups with solutions in the following TRL range:

Levels 3-7

What we can offer you

Benefits:

Networking

Build lasting relationships with Bayer teams and fellow innovators in Japan and beyond. Be part of a growing global Bayer Co.Lab startup community and tap into Japan’s vibrant biomedical ecosystem through curated events, partner introductions, and access to academic collaborators.

Market Access

Get tailored support to explore entry into the Japanese healthcare and biotech markets. Through Bayer’s local presence and strong academic relationships, startups gain facilitated access to Japan-based partners, institutions, and regulatory insights, bridging the gap between global innovation and the Japanese ecosystem.

Exposure

Raise your visibility within Bayer and across Japan’s biotech community. Startups may be featured through Bayer Co.Lab channels at key milestones and benefit from Bayer’s outreach efforts across Japan’s startup, academic, and pharma innovation scenes.

Facilities and Services

Bayer Co.Lab Kobe offers fully subsidized lab and office space, allowing startups to focus on innovation. Make use of modern wet labs designed to support molecular and cell biology R&D. Benefit from flexible usage, shared amenities, and a startup-friendly atmosphere right in the heart of Kobe’s biomedical innovation cluster.

Expertise

Take part in a company-specific mentoring program that connects you with experts from Bayer’s local and global R&D, BD&L, and commercial teams. Receive insights on scientific strategy, development pathways, and business planning. The program also fosters connections with leading Japanese universities and researchers for collaborative potential.

Who we are

Bayer Co.Lab is Bayer’s global network of life science incubators designed to foster early engagement with innovative technologies. Our mission is to provide entrepreneurs and early-stage companies with unparalleled access to expertise, resources, and cutting-edge facilities, all without any obligations. At Bayer Co.Lab, we pride ourselves on a personalized, high-touch approach to supporting our resident companies.

Situated at the heart of one of Japan's largest biomedical innovation clusters, Bayer Co.Lab Kobe is strategically placed to nurture and support early- to mid-stage start-ups. This facility leverages Bayer’s extensive pharmaceutical expertise and global network, providing startups with access to top-notch laboratory facilities and mentorship from both local and global Bayer teams.

Reviewers

Nobu Kazama

Head of Japan Business Development & Licensing

Kazuyuki Dan

Scientific Finding Manager, Collaborate to Cure Hub Japan

Alberto Nobili

VP, Head of Co.Lab Cambridge

Q&A with Bayer Pharma

The Q&A is now closed.

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In-Person Locations

Kobe, Japan

Eligible partners

Startups

Seeking partners focused on

AnatomyAgingAllergiesBiochemistryBioinformaticsBiological ComplexityBiomimeticsBiomolecular ProcessesBiopharmaceuticsBiophysics

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