The Philadelphia Incubator Guide: Where Innovation Takes Root
Philadelphia is a thriving hub for biotech innovation, boasting a diverse array of incubators that nurture emerging talent and groundbreaking ideas. This guide explores the key players in the city’s incubator landscape, providing insights into their unique offerings and how they support startups on their journey to success.
By Bryan Kennedy | October 16, 2024
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At this year’s Philly Builds Bio+ event, the region’s incubators took center stage, with a special highlight on the unveiling of Innovation Hall, where many organizations within the ecosystem showcased their innovations. The event underscored the region’s thriving biotech landscape, featuring a compelling panel discussion led by Lou Kassa, CEO of the Pennsylvania Center, Hepatitis B Foundation, and Blumberg Institute. Kassa was joined by representatives from leading local life science incubators, who discussed the vital role these incubators play in fostering collaboration, accelerating startups, and driving groundbreaking research in the Philadelphia area. Their collective efforts are paving the way for continued growth and innovation in the life sciences sector.
During the panel, participants discussed several key joint initiatives, including this year’s career fair spearheaded by BioLabs and Biostrategy. Lou Kassa emphasized the importance of Philadelphia’s unique ecosystem, stating, “Philly is not just a hub for innovation; it’s a community where collaboration fuels success. By working together, our incubators can cultivate the talent needed, foster partnerships, and ultimately, transform groundbreaking ideas into life-changing solutions.” This collaboration underscores the critical role that incubators play in fostering the growth of the biotech sector. They provide more than just physical space; they offer essential resources that help small and midsize organizations navigate the ‘valley of death,’ where 90% of startups fail. By fostering collaboration and support, these incubators empower companies to succeed and drive innovation in the life sciences field.
Given the pivotal role that incubators play in fueling innovation, we’re excited to share a quick guide to the region’s standout players.
B+Labs
Cira Centre, Schuylkill Yards, Philadelphia, 2929 Arch Street, 19104 PA
Opened in 2022, B+Labs is an innovative collaboration between Brandywine Realty Trust, the largest owner and operator of commercial life science real estate in the region, and the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) in Doylestown, PA. Located in the Cira Center in Philadelphia, which is connected to 30th Street Station via an enclosed overpass, the facility started with 50,000 square feet and has recently expanded to include graduate labs and Mispro, a leading preclinical and clinical vivarium. B+Labs is committed to supporting startups and emerging life sciences companies by harnessing the expertise of PABC. Situated in the dynamic Schuylkill Yards neighborhood, it features plug-and-play labs, modern offices, and collaborative spaces. With ample parking, convenient airport access, and a direct link to Amtrak and SEPTA, B+Labs serves as an ideal hub for researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals.
B+Labs is deeply committed to community engagement and promoting diversity to strengthen Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem. A key component of this effort is their mentorship program, which focuses on supporting students from local universities and high schools, particularly in underserved communities. By providing guidance and resources, B+Labs empowers the next generation of innovators and leaders, ensuring that they have the tools needed to succeed in the competitive biotech landscape. Their emphasis on diversity and inclusion fosters a collaborative environment that nurtures startups and encourages groundbreaking research. Current tenants include companies such as AskBio, Carisma, BriaCell, Kite, Nimble Therapeutics, Leal Therapeutics, and BlueWhale Bio, all of which benefit from the incubator’s supportive community. Through this holistic approach, B+Labs is helping to shape the future of Philadelphia’s biotech sector, driving innovation that benefits the entire city.
BioLabs at the Curtis Center
601 Walnut St, Suite 715, Philadelphia, PA
Website
BioLabs Philadelphia, housed in the iconic Curtis Center near Washington Square, is a leading life science incubator dedicated to advancing biotech startups and entrepreneurs. As part of the global BioLabs network, founded by the industry leader on incubators Johannes Fruehauf, PhD, MD—who also established LabCentral, a pioneering public-private incubator model—BioLabs provides the largest network of shared laboratory spaces for startups in the U.S. Together, BioLabs and LabCentral support over 300 early-stage companies across eight cities. Startups in this network are significant contributors to the industry, consistently making up over 20% of all Seed and Series A venture capital invested in U.S. life sciences.
This facility offers high-quality wet labs and collaborative workspaces tailored to meet the diverse needs of life science companies. Since relocating from University City in 2022, BioLabs Philadelphia has attracted notable firms such as Aro Biotherapeutics and Imvax, which recently established an in-house manufacturing facility within the Curtis Center.
The incubator features flexible lab and office spaces ranging and essential onsite services, including hazardous waste disposal and remote temperature monitoring. Looking ahead, BioLabs Philadelphia plans to expand with additional incubator space that will offer comprehensive support for biotech companies, including an investor day where startups can pitch their innovations. Additionally, BioLabs will host a Biotech Career fair on November 19th, connecting job seekers with employers in the life sciences sector.
Cambridge Innovation Center
University Science Center, 3675 Market St, Philadelphia, PA
In 2018, CIC Philadelphia made its mark in University City in 2018 as part of the vibrant uCity Square project developed by Wexford. This location features 137,000 square feet of shared office and lab space specifically designed to support emerging companies across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on technology and life sciences. CIC Philadelphia is more than just a workspace; it embodies a community-driven ethos, offering tailored programs and district consulting to help startups and scale-ups thrive. The building also hosts the Science Center Quorum, a stunning 15,000 square foot venue filled with natural light that includes six versatile meeting and event spaces, along with expansive breakout and pre-function areas.
In 2022, CIC Philadelphia completed an $11 million expansion, converting 50,000 square feet of office space into laboratories and effectively doubling its lab footprint to 400 benches. This new infrastructure accommodates small, medium, and large private labs, including graduation labs with 15 to 30 benches for larger companies. By fostering collaboration and providing essential infrastructure, CIC Philadelphia plays a crucial role in the growth of the local startup community.
The Pennovation Center
3401 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA
The Pennovation Center, located on the 23-acre Pennovation Works campus at 3401 Grays Ferry Ave, serves as an incubator for startups, providing 58,000 square feet of state-of-the-art labs and office space designed for life sciences and biotechnology. This dynamic environment encourages collaboration and research partnerships, significantly contributing to economic growth and innovation in the region. As part of the University of Pennsylvania, the center draws on UPenn’s robust academic resources and network to further enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Located adjacent to the Pennovation Center, the Pennovation Lab offers 65,000 square feet of flexible lab space specifically designed for growing companies. This facility features customizable labs tailored for both wet and dry laboratory setups, accommodating the diverse needs of emerging businesses. As the campus continues to evolve, upcoming developments—including a $365 million life sciences facility project with Longfellow Real Estate Partners and a new parking garage—will enhance its infrastructure and accessibility. These advancements solidify Pennovation Works’ status as a premier hub for innovation in the life sciences, reflecting UPenn’s commitment to fostering research and entrepreneurship.
The Innovation Space
200 Powder Mill Rd BLDG E500, Wilmington, DE
The Innovation Space™ is a nonprofit incubator located at the DuPont Experimental Station near Wilmington, Delaware. Founded in 2017 through a public-private partnership with the State of Delaware, DuPont, and the University of Delaware, it provides 130,000 square feet of cutting-edge lab and office space, including 90 labs, to support early-stage life science companies.
The incubator has invested in startups across sectors like health care, advanced materials, diagnostics, therapeutics, and clean technology, helping address challenges from cancer treatments to climate change. Companies such as Prelude Therapeutics and Versogen have secured over $1 billion in investments with its support.
In 2022, The Innovation Space expanded by adding 50,000 square feet of Class A labs and offices. It also offers funding and business resources through the First Fund and Science Inc. accelerator, furthering its mission to advance science and improve lives. Recent $2.475 million in congressional funding will enhance its lab facilities and infrastructure for future growth.
Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PBAC)
3805 Old Easton Rd, Doylestown, PA
Founded by the Hepatitis B Foundation in 2006, the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) has become a leading life sciences incubator in the U.S., offering 150,000 square feet of state-of-the-art lab and office space for over 80 biotech startups. PABC generates more than $2 billion in economic impact and has created hundreds of high-skill jobs in the region.
Key milestones include the development of two FDA-approved drugs and several medical devices. A $20 million expansion in 2022 added 37,000 square feet, increasing capacity by 40% through state and federal grants.
Managed by the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute, PABC hosts industry events in its conference center, including the annual Regional Biotech Conference on November 14th. The center also offers educational programs for students, such as summer internships and high school science initiatives. In 2024, former pharmaceutical executive Nick Spring was appointed as the first Entrepreneur in Residence, advising five spinout companies from the Blumberg Institute and 10 others in the Academic Innovation Zone (AIZ) program. Notable companies at PABC include Kannalife Sciences, Aprea Therapeutics, Merlin Biotech, IO BioSciences, and Fox Chase Therapies Discovery.
ThinkUBator
The ThinkUbator at Cheyney University, set to open in the first half of 2025, marks a significant evolution in the institution’s commitment to education, innovation, and social justice. As the nation’s first historically Black university, Cheyney, founded in 1837 as the Institute for Colored Youth, has a long legacy of pioneering educational opportunities for African Americans. The 35,000sf ThinkUbator initiative builds upon this mission by connecting academic resources with the growing life sciences sector, fostering an environment for student success in scientific fields. This incubator will provide biologics, cell, and gene therapy companies the opportunity to lease state-of-the-art process development and wet lab space on campus, addressing the region’s lab space shortages while offering unique opportunities for underrepresented students.
Supported by a $5 million state investment announced by Governor Tom Wolf in May 2022, the ThinkUbator aims to advance research and nurture the next generation of life science leaders. In partnership with Mosaic Partners, it seeks to promote diversity and innovation within the industry, reinforcing Cheyney University‘s historical mission of promoting equity and access in education. As it prepares to deliver 14 labs and 17,000 square feet of lab space by Q1 2025, the ThinkUbator embodies the idea of “something bigger than ourselves,” creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration between industry and academia.
The Innovation Center at Eagleview
665 Stockton Drive Exton PA
The Innovation Center at Eagleview (ICE) is dedicated to supporting small life science and biotech companies with flexible space solutions tailored to entrepreneurs. Located in suburban Chester County, PA, ICE offers short-term, adaptable leases and immediate access to office or laboratory space for teams of 1 to 15 people. The center features presentation-ready conference rooms and a vibrant environment that fosters peer-to-peer networking.
Spanning 17,000 square feet of lab space and 23,000 square feet of office space, ICE is part of the 800-acre mixed-use Eagleview community. Sponsored by The Hankin Group in collaboration with the Chester County Economic Development Council and The Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n), ICE aims to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial community in Chester County and Pennsylvania. It provides fully furnished spaces, shared conference rooms, and access to “just-in-time” advice.
Follow Along for more insight
BioBuzz is excited to announce that we will be doing an in-depth piece on each incubator, highlighting the individuals who make them thrive and the talented people working within them. Next week, we will feature the other incubators in the ecosystem. Follow us over the next few weeks for unique insights and stories you won’t want to miss!
