Belgium-Based Firm First to Call Science Center's Business Incubator Home

The University City Science Center’s Port Business Incubator has opened a new co-working office space for emerging startup companies called the Bullpen. The new space, which offers entrepreneurs a desk, phone and high speed Wi-Fi, is located on the Science Center campus at 3711 Market Street in Philadelphia. Belgium-based Biologistics Consulting is the first company to call the Bullpen home. 

Biologistics Consulting, which optimizes logistics for industrial companies in the healthcare sector, transitioned from avirtual Port residency to a desk in the Bullpen. The company, which is also a close partner of the Belgian government, recently launched a new project called BioLog Europe. The mission of this government initiative is to develop the healthcare industry in Belgium. As a result, the company provides assistance to American companies considering expanding their operations to Europe. BioLog Europe provides advisory services, access to infrastructure and connections to a network of industry players. This project is based on a nonprofit model and BioLog Europe doesn't charge the U.S. companies.

A participant in the Science Center’s Global Soft Landing Program, Biologistics Consulting is headquartered in Liege, Belgium and has had a U.S. presence since February 2011. The Port’s Global Soft Landing program is designed to foster international business in the U.S. by helping global companies establish a foothold in local life sciences and IT markets.

The Science Center's Business Incubator offers start-up companies the resources they need to grow and become successful, including:

• Proximity to the area’s academic institutions and research hospitals enables collaboration and resource sharing
• Access to networking, educational, and business development programs
• Access to Quorum
• Collegial environment inspires conversation and collaboration among the 30+ Port companies
• Grant-writing support
• Marketing and public relations assistance
• Connectivity with capital
• Exposure to government agencies and policy makers
• Wet and dry labs, open plan or individual offices, shared laboratory and office equipment

More than 350 companies have originated at the Science Center, and more than 50% of its graduating companies since 2002 remain in business. Since 2006, Science Center companies have collectively raised over $80 million in private capital and over $12 million in government funding that directly supported product development.