Oxford spinout BioFragment wins prize at Europe’s largest university pitch competition 

5th February 2025

Oxford spinout BioFragment won a Chemovator prize at Stage Two, Europe’s largest university startup pitch, boosting their mission to revolutionise drug discovery with sustainable biocatalysis.

Oxford spinout BioFragment recently represented the University at Stage Two, Europe’s largest pitch competition for university-led startups.

During the two-day event in Berlin, the team participated in workshops led by entrepreneurs and industry experts, gaining insights into building a successful venture. They then pitched their business model to a panel of venture capital firms and industry leaders, competing against 50 startups nominated by top university entrepreneurship centres across Europe.

BioFragment’s pitch stood out, earning them a prize from Chemovator, BASF’s incubator and early-stage investor. This award will help accelerate their venture-building process as they continue developing sustainable solutions for drug discovery.

Founded by experts in inorganic chemistry, bioengineering, neuroscience, and finance, BioFragment is revolutionising drug discovery through sustainable biocatalysis. They were one of the winning teams in StEP Ignite 2024, the annual Student Entrepreneurship Programme run by OUI’s Startup Incubator.

Carla V. Fuenteslópez from BioFragment said: “Winning the Chemovator award at Stage Two is an incredible milestone for BioFragment, providing us with the resources and recognition to take our work to the next level. Stage Two has been a transformative experience, connecting us with a network of innovators, investors, and mentors who have helped refine our vision and approach. This prize is not just a celebration of our efforts but a launchpad for accelerating BioFragment’s impact on sustainable healthcare and beyond. While our technology is focused on drug discovery, its potential extends across multiple industries, including fragrances, biofuels, and materials science.

“This recognition reflects the hard work of our team and the invaluable guidance of our mentors, all of whom have played a pivotal role in our journey. We are proud to be driving innovation in sustainable healthcare, and this prize is a testament to the power of collaboration and determination.”

Olena Didenko, co-founder of BioFragment, added: “At BioFragment, we are pushing the boundaries of drug discovery, turning fragments that were once discarded into essential building blocks for life-saving therapies. Our mission is to make the process faster, more sustainable, and scalable, ultimately transforming patient outcomes and shaping a new frontier in biotechnology.”

Find out more about BioFragment.

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Applications open 7th Feb for StEP Ignite 2025, our Startup Incubator’s unique month-long student entrepreneurship programme.

This year’s programme will take place full-time from 30 June – 25 July, bringing together teams of entrepreneurial students to develop innovative business ideas. Are you an Oxford student who wants to explore what it takes to be entrepreneur?

This is your chance – find out more and apply now.

We would welcome expressions of interest from any industry experts who would like to support the programme, whether through mentorship, delivering a workshop or partnering around a particular challenge – can you help?

For more information, email catherine.spence@innovation.ox.ac.uk

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