She discusses a new state-backed initiative called Forward Memberships that aims to help more entrepreneurs in the biohealth sector advance research and develop their companies. Thanks to $190,000 in funding from WEDC, the lab is providing year-long memberships to startups with different options for companies with varying needs.
“It’s nice to be able to provide a variety of the memberships that we offer, and to be able to cover the cost of those with the grant,” she said. “What this does is enable startups to stretch those invested dollars … because they don’t have to kind of factor in the cost of our membership for the year.”
The nonprofit Forward BIOLABS offers a fully equipped scientific facility with tools for cell cultures, proteins, genomics and more, along with infrastructure and operational support. These resources help early-stage companies hit the ground running rather than spending large sums on this equipment and a facility lease.
The organization also helps startups connect with suppliers and service providers as well as investors, Martin Eckerly said.
“So every day is different here, because it depends on what the needs are of the companies,” she said. “But the fact that we’re here on-site, all day every day and as needed, is feedback that we hear really great things on. We are here when they need us to support them, in the way they need to be supported.”
She connects this initiative to the broader Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub effort, which landed $49 million in federal funding to advance several projects focused on this sector. Martin Eckerly also emphasizes the program’s focus on underrepresented groups.
“It’s a really great statement of not just WEDC but Wisconsin’s support for biohealth startups, and in particular, women- and minority-founded startups,” she said, noting half of the 10 memberships being awarded will go to these groups. “That’s something I’m particularly excited about.”
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