IndieBio (SOSV): funding, terms & how to apply
The biotech accelerator that turned scientists into founders — SOSV's SF and NY labs fund pre-seed deep biology, food tech and bio-industrial startups with lab space included.
Investment
Varies — check official site
Equity
SOSV pre-seed equity; historically ~$250K+ staged, current terms per deal
Program length
~4 months
Format
In person
Deadlines
Rolling applications via SOSV
Acceptance rate
Not published
Facts last checked 2026-08-26. Deals and dates change — the official site is always the source of truth for the current application window.
What IndieBio (SOSV) actually is
IndieBio pioneered the 'scientist as founder' accelerator: pre-seed capital from SOSV plus wet-lab space and hands-on venture staff in San Francisco and New York, compressing the path from published science to fundable company. Portfolio landmarks include Upside Foods, NotCo and Perfect Day. Historically deals ran around $250K+ in staged tranches; SOSV now sets terms per company, and the program has been progressively folded into SOSV's SF/NY branding.
It remains the reference door for founders commercializing actual biology — therapeutics-adjacent, food, materials, climate bio — where a generalist accelerator can't evaluate the science.
What they look for
The bar you need to clear before the application is worth sending.
Real science: founders who own the underlying biology or bioprocess.
Pre-seed teams ready to leave the academic track and build full-time.
Products with a plausible path from bench to market-scale economics.
Willingness to work from the SF or NY labs during the program.
Before you apply
Most rejections happen before the interview — in the application itself
Every question IndieBio (SOSV) asks — problem, traction, business model, team, market size — maps to work you can finish first. Build your startup profile in StartupKit, run the readiness score, and walk into the application with real answers instead of blank fields. Free, no card.
Build your startup profile freeApplication FAQ
What does IndieBio invest?
SOSV invests at pre-seed with terms set per company; historically the package was around $250K+ in staged tranches with lab space and program support included. Confirm current terms in the SOSV application process.
Do I need a PhD to apply?
No, but the team must credibly own its science — most accepted founders are scientists or pair a scientist with a commercial co-founder.
Is IndieBio still a separate brand?
The programs increasingly operate as SOSV's San Francisco and New York deep-tech hubs; applications flow through SOSV's shared portal either way.
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