Key Takeaways
- Asylee scientists — PhDs, MDs, researchers — build biotech and lab businesses in the US
- No green card required — scientific credentials + EAD qualify
- Fund lab equipment, reagents, compliance costs, and operations
- Afghan, Iranian, and Venezuelan biotech professionals served
- 48-hour decisions
The US biotech and life sciences industry is built substantially on immigrant talent. Iranian-background scientists who arrived under various protection statuses have founded biotech companies in Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego. Afghan physicians and researchers who fled Taliban rule have built medical device and diagnostics companies. Venezuelan biochemists and biologists have launched contract research organizations (CROs) and specialty labs.
Biotech and Lab Businesses We Fund
- Clinical and diagnostic laboratories
- Contract research organizations (CROs)
- Biotech startups with revenue from grants and commercial contracts
- Medical device and diagnostics companies
- Specialty testing laboratories (environmental, food safety, toxicology)
What We Fund
- Laboratory equipment (centrifuges, PCR machines, microscopes, analyzers)
- Reagents, consumables, and laboratory supplies
- CAP/CLIA compliance and accreditation costs
- Clean room build-out and biosafety infrastructure
- Research staff payroll
Minimum: $20,000/month in lab revenue (commercial testing, CRO contracts, or grant disbursements), 6 months operating, US entity, EAD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Asylee scientists with EAD, a US business entity, and $20,000+/month in revenue or grant disbursements qualify.
SBIR/STTR grant disbursements deposited into your business bank account count as qualifying revenue.
Yes. Equipment financing with lab equipment as collateral is available. Working capital for reagents and consumables is also available.
$20,000/month in lab revenue or grant disbursements, 6 months operating, US entity, EAD.
Yes. CLIA-certified clinical labs qualify based on testing revenue.
Yes. Regulatory submission fees and consulting costs are valid business expenses.
We require existing revenue. Pre-revenue biotech should look at SBIR grants and angel investors first.
Yes. Technical staff payroll is a valid use of biotech working capital.