The following rules apply exclusively to the Space Programs Advancing Research and Commercialization (SPARC) Biotech Challenge. For rules pertaining to TechConnect projects in general, please consult the General Rules document found here. By submitting a response to this project, you agree to be bound by both these Challenge-specific rules, as well as the rules listed here.
Organizer and Sponsors:
TechConnect (“TechConnect” or “Organizer”) is the administrator for this Challenge. Rhodium Scientific and TechConnect (“Sponsor” or “Sponsors”) are the joint Sponsors for this Challenge.
Challenge Dates:
- Challenge opens: August 6, 2024
- Informational Webinar: August 29, 2024
- Office Hours: September 10, 2024
- Submission Deadline: September 13, 2024 by 8pm Eastern
- Second Round Submission Deadline (Invitation-Only): September 26, 2024 by 8pm ET
- Notification of Finalists: mid-October 2024
- Virtual Q&A with Finalists: late October 2024
- Pitch Event at Defense TechConnect in Austin, Texas: early December 2024
- Announce of Winner at Defense TechConnect in Austin, Texas: early December 2024
Eligibility
The 2024 Space Programs Advancing Research and Commercialization (SPARC) Biotech Challenge is free and open to all individuals over the age of 18.
Additionally, responses are welcome from:
- Early to growth stage startups
- Academic researchers
- University students
- Research institutes
- Accelerators
- Incubators
- Technology transfer firms
- Consultants
- Venture capitalists
- Entrepreneurs
Teams may not include individuals or organizations currently under sanctions from the United States federal government. For a complete list of sanctions, please visit Sanctions Programs and Country Information | U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Individuals from countries currently under embargo or other sanctions by the United States federal government are likewise ineligible to participate in this Challenge, either as a solo respondent or as part of a team. Such nations include:
- Cuba
- Iran
- Lebanon
- Libya
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
Additionally, individuals and organizations currently under sanctions from the United States federal government are ineligible to participate. For a complete list of sanctions, please visit Sanctions Programs and Country Information | U.S. Department of the Treasury.