Scailyte among the Spinoff finalists for the global Nature Research Awards

Scailyte was chosen as top twelve finalist for this year’s inaugural Spinoff Prize. The Spinoff Prize has been established by Nature Research in partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The prize aims to provide visibility and support for academic entrepreneurs and their companies, worldwide. All university spinoff companies formed on or after 30 November 2016 were eligible to apply. The winner receives a cash prize of EUR 30,000.

Finalists of this year’s Spinoff Prize will pitch to a panel of expert judges during two rounds of an online slam. In the first round, all twelve companies will explain in six minutes how their company translates original, high-quality scientific research into products or services that address market problems and make a positive impact on society. Four companies will then be selected to participate in the second round of the slam, which will be part of the Future Insight Virtual Event on July 13, 2020.

Richard Hughes, VP, Publishing, Nature Research Partnerships, said: “We are delighted to have received so many strong applications from university spinoffs worldwide. By featuring the most promising companies in Nature, we hope to raise their profiles. We encourage potential collaborators, partners or investors to get in touch with the founders to build relationships. The challenging external circumstances require that the closing rounds of the Spinoff Prize competition – during which we will have an opportunity to meet the entrepreneurs and hear them describe their work in finer detail – will take place as virtual pitch events. This provides an opportunity for anyone to participate from home. We invite you to join us.”

Ulrich Betz, VP Innovation Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, said: “We are proud to have The Spinoff Prize in the frame of Curious Future Insight – science for a better tomorrow. The recent developments show how important it is to boost scientific and technological progress worldwide to solve the problems of today and to enable the dreams of a better tomorrow.”