The FAST Program provides select entrepreneurs with intensive team review and coaching to perfect their business model, product development plans, and to build a compelling commercialization strategy. Emerging innovators benefit from the advice and counsel of industry veterans – custom-selected from the FAST network of over 425 professionals comprised of entrepreneurs, product, and business experts (i.e., clinical development, regulatory, reimbursement, and business development specialists) – during the twelve-week program. The program culminates with a Final FAST Showcase and Reception where FAST companies present to a distinguished audience of potential investors and collaboration partners.

JUST ANNOUNCED:  A new FAST SoCal program will bring customized, expert-advising to entrepreneurs in the San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles ecosystems. Launching this summer, the no-cost, non-dilutive FAST SoCal program will run twice per year, presenting and hosting some of the region’s most compelling life science startups at showcases and networking receptions that will further help weave together Southern California’s dynamic life sciences ecosystem.

Application to the FAST program is on a rolling basis.

Apply Here

March 15, 2022 – FAST Spring Opening Showcase, Virtual
April 19, 2022 – FAST Connections, Virtual
April 21, 2022 – FAST Connections, Virtual
June 21, 2022 – FAST Spring Closing Showcase, Virtual
July 6, 2022 – FAST Connections, San Diego
July 7, 2022 – FAST Connections, South San Francisco
September 7, 2022– FAST Fall Opening Showcase, San Diego
September 8, 2022 – FAST Fall Opening Showcase, South San Francisco
October 12, 2022 – FAST Connections, San Diego
October 13, 2022 – FAST Connections, South San Francisco
December 13, 2022 – FAST Fall Closing Showcase, San Francisco

Email FASTCA@califesciences.org if you would like to receive an invitation to our startup company showcases.

• Cache DNA | Cache DNA is building a biologically-inspired operating system to store and compute biomolecules at unprecedented scales.
• Cellular Vehicles | Cellular Vehicles is creating hardware to Enable the Next-Generation of Cell Therapy Treatments
• Glyphic Bio | Glyphic Biotechnologies is developing a single-molecule next-generation protein sequencer to enable the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics.
• Hopo Therapeutics | HOPO Therapeutics develops best-in-class, orally available small molecule therapies to prevent and treat lead poisoning and other unmet needs in global women’s and children’s health.
• Loxagen | Loxagen was started by industry and research veterans to target the family of Lipoxygenases involved in the pathogenesis of oncology, metabolic and CNS disease.
• MabSwitch | MabSwitch, Inc is a biotechnology company that aims to develop in-vivo regulatable next generation antibody immunotherapies based on a proprietary universal allosteric switch module for antibodies(UNASMA) technology platform, to address diseases of significant unmet medical need.

View portfolio of past FAST companies

FAST SoCal: The FAST SoCal program will bring customized, expert-advising to entrepreneurs in the San Diego, Orange County, and Los Angeles hubs. Launching this summer, the no-cost, non-dilutive FAST SoCal program will run twice per year, presenting and hosting some of the region’s most compelling life science startups at showcases and networking receptions that will further help weave together Southern California’s dynamic life sciences ecosystem.

WIB-FAST Advisory Program: The WIB-FAST program is open to early-stage female (co-)founders of pre-revenue life sciences companies who are developing highly innovative technologies that will have a meaningful impact on human or environmental health. WIB-FAST is designed to help women entrepreneurs who seek advising on raising capital (Angel, Seed or Series A), commercialization or business plans, and legal or scientific strategy. Selected entrepreneurs will benefit from weekly meetings with experienced advisors, custom-selected for each WIB-FAST company.

FAST MedTechColor Track: CLS supports the MedTech Color Pitch Competition and the QuickFire Challenge for Diverse Innovators/Communities, which sends select winners of both through the FAST program—growing the pool of diverse life sciences startups in the FAST community.