The California Life Sciences (CLS) Innovation & Entrepreneurship, FAST California program provides founders of disruptive innovative life sciences companies with a customized advisory program. Each company selected to the FAST program is matched with a group of industry experts with deep domain expertise, who will work with them over twelve weeks to build a compelling commercialization strategy, mentor them in all aspects of building a startup and prepare them  to pitch to a curated audience of potential investors and collaboration partners at the CLS Innovation Showcase. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

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A Statewide Program FAST California provides founders of disruptive innovative life science technology companies with a customized advisory program develop a strong business model and go-to-market strategy, provide guidance on pre-clinical development, regulatory pathway, and provide insights into pharma partnerships, licensing, and exit strategies.

Tailored, Expert Guidance A group of curated advisors, each with deep domain expertise, will work with them over twelve weeks to build a compelling commercialization strategy and prepare them to pitch to potential investors and collaboration partners. The program concludes with the Innovation Showcase which provides a unique opportunity to network with industry leaders, investors, and KOLs.

Access to Capital In addition to mentorship, additional resources include live and on-demand workshops, savings through complimentary CLS membership and special discounts to participate, pitch and partner at leading industry events.

Meet the 2025 Spring Cohort here!

“Participating in the FAST program has connected us with an outstanding group of advisors who have helped us refine how we communicate our value proposition. They also provided invaluable insights and connections that were instrumental as we established our operations.”

Ugur Eskiocak, Voro Therapeutics (FAST 2024 Fall)

“By working with a group of advisors who collectively have the diverse expertise needed to build a successful life sciences company (e.g., clinical, R&D, fundraising, etc.), my co-founder and I have gained a much clearer sense of the roadmap from R&D to commercialization.”

Yue Clare Lou, Sift Biosciences (FAST 2024 Fall)

“The FAST program set our team up with a world class advisory team that exploded our growth through robust discussion and an amazing network of connections that we were able to leverage. The opportunity to discuss strategy and development decisions with industry veterans was crucial for our team which came from mostly academic backgrounds. We have grown so much as a company thanks to the FAST program!”

Marco Lobba, PhD, Catena Biosciences (FAST 2021)

Our advisor community is a great way to network with likeminded individuals. If you are interested in an advisor or mentor role to work with start-ups or have specific domain expertise to help them, please complete our intake form to help us understand your area of expertise and interest. We tap into our advisor community using the information you provide and will reach out if there is a company that could use your expertise.

Apply to be a FAST Advisor

Chiesi Discovery Award: Companies and academia who are developing innovative therapeutic approaches and platform technologies for rare diseases, using in vivo gene editing, in vivo gene therapy and organ specific delivery vectors are encouraged to apply for the Chiesi FAST Discovery Award. The winner will be selected to participate in the CLS FAST 2025 Fall cohort.

FAST MedTechColor Track: The CLS/ MedTech Color collaboration stems from a mutual desire to advance the representation of persons of color in the medical device industry by supporting founders through funding and mentorship from industry leaders. In 2023, BIOMED was selected to participate in in the FAST Fall cohort and Kofimi Technology Inc., participated in the 2024 Spring cohort.

Servier Discovery Award: Companies and academia who are developing innovative therapeutic approaches in the areas of oncology and rare neurological disorders as well as novel modalities are encouraged applied for the Servier FAST Discovery Award. The winner will be selected to participate in the CLS FAST Fall 2025 cohort.

PLATINUM SPONSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,000

1. Startup Advisory Program | FAST California: Recognition as a Platinum Sponsor for two FAST cohorts (12-month period- Spring and Fall) supporting 24 start-ups in their fundraising and commercialization journey.
◆ Branding: Logo visibility on all CLS FAST program-related materials (website, signage, social media, email, etc.)
◆ Application Review Process: Opportunity to help select participating startups/technologies for both cohorts
◆ Advisory: Opportunity to recommend advisor(s) or serve as advisor to selected startup(s) in the cohort
◆ Business Development: Opportunity to access earlystage transformational projects and solutions of FAST applicants

2. CLS Innovation Showcase: Recognition as a sponsor of the Innovation Showcase (held twice a year at the conclusion of the FAST spring and fall program), creating a unique experience for the start-up community to spotlight FAST graduates and California’s entrepreneurship. Audience attendance of approximately 300+ life sciences stakeholders including biopharma representatives, investors, key advisors, and expert service providers.
◆ One (1) full-page advertisement in the digital program. Digital program to be distributed as a supplement in CLS’s biweekly bulletin and featured on the website post-event
◆ Option to host tabletop display during networking reception (exclusive benefit for service providers)
◆ Logo visibility on all event-related materials (website, event signage, digital program, social media, email, etc.)

3. Positioning for Capital: Supporter recognition on virtual education bootcamp(s) discussing topics such as prepping a road show, fundraising and pitch training.

4. Thought Leadership: Opportunity to develop and lead an educational webinar/workshop, in partnership with CLS, to help you engage your targeted audience. Content must be of educational benefit to the CLS startup community and not constitute a solicitation of services.

GOLD SPONSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000

1. Startup Advisory Program | FAST California: Recognition as a Gold Sponsor for one FAST cohort (6-month period- Spring or Fall) supporting 12 start-ups in their fundraising and commercialization journey.
◆ Branding: Logo visibility on all CLS FAST program-related materials (website, signage, social media, email, etc.)
◆ Advisory: Opportunity to recommend advisor or serve as advisor to one startup in the cohort
◆ Business Development: Opportunity to access early-stage transformational projects and solutions of FAST applicants

2. CLS Innovation Showcase: Recognition as a sponsor of either the Spring or Fall Innovation Showcase (dependent on the sponsored time-period), creating a unique experience for the start-up community to spotlight FAST graduates and California’s entrepreneurship. Audience attendance of approximately 300+ life sciences stakeholders including biopharma representatives, investors, key advisors, expert service providers.
◆ One (1) half-page advertisement in the digital program. Digital program to be distributed as a supplement in CLS’s biweekly bulletin and featured on the website post-event
◆ Logo visibility on all event-related materials (website, event signage, digital program, social media, email, etc.)

SUPPORTING SPONSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,500

◆ Recognition as a Supporting Sponsor for two FAST cohorts (12-month period- Spring and Fall) supporting 24 start-ups in their fundraising and commercialization journey.

FAST DISCOVERY AWARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PRICING STARTS AT $35K

◆ Exclusive sponsorship of a FAST competition seeking emerging technologies in sponsor’s areas of interest
◆ CLS will market and promote the sponsor’s FAST Discovery Award (“Company Name” FAST Discovery Award) and manage the details of the competition
◆ Sponsor selects a company for the FAST Discovery Award
◆ Opportunity to deliver brief remarks (2 minutes) at the Innovation Showcase
◆ This sponsorship package is highly customizable to meet your business needs. For an additional fee, gain access to the partnering forum, or participate in a keynote or panel discussion at the Innovation Showcase. Contact Shikha Sharma, [email protected], to learn more.