aws BoB is a prestigious international competition in life sciences, designed to transform groundbreaking ideas into successful innovations. In 2025, BoB will celebrate its 11th round in a special 25th anniversary edition!
Organized by aws Life Science Austria (LISA), a program of Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws), on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW), BoB offers a unique platform for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Participants will receive valuable feedback on their business ideas from experts with extensive knowledge in life sciences, patents, finance, and entrepreneurship. Finalists in each category will benefit from individual coaching to prepare for their final pitch in front of our top-class jury. BoB also provides participants with high visibility within the life science community and valuable networking opportunities. All participants are invited to attend the exclusive awards ceremony in Vienna.
BoB is open to students, researchers, and teams or individuals from around the world who aim to turn their ideas into businesses, as well as young start-ups up to 3 years old (founded after March 31, 2022).
In 2025, the BoB will be awarded across four equal categories:
- Best BioTech Ideator
- Best BioTech Start-up
- Best MedTech Ideator
- Best MedTech Start-up
The ideator categories are for projects in the pre-foundation phase, while the start-up categories are for young companies up to three years old.
Key dates:
- 1.4.2025: Competition opens
- Submission phase, online training opportunities
- 13.6.2025: Application closes
- Evaluation of proposals
- 3.9.2025: Announcement of finalists
- Revision of pitch decks, online marketing
- September 2025: Coaching days
- Revision of pitch decks, online marketing
- 13./14.10.2025: Jury pitch and Award Ceremony