Applications open for the third W Accelerate with Merck KGaA and M Ventures

W Group has opened applications for W Accelerate with Merck KGaA and M Ventures, inviting reproductive and maternal health startups, scaleups and spinouts to pitch for direct access to global pharma partnership and strategic investment.

Selected companies will pitch on 5th October, competing for the chance to accelerate their growth through commercial partnerships, investment, or both.

This is the third time Merck KGaA, a global leader in reproductive health, has partnered with W Group on the programme, which exists to close the innovation and investment gap in women’s health by connecting the sector’s most promising startups directly with the corporates and investors positioned to scale them.

What Merck KGaA and M Ventures are looking for

This year’s call is focused on breakthrough solutions in female infertility, fertility preservation, adenomyosis, endometriosis, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), ovarian insufficiency, preeclampsia and pregnancy comorbidities.

New for this round, applicants choose between three pathways depending on what they need from the programme:

• The Partnership Lane, for companies seeking commercial collaborations and strategic relationships
• The Investment Lane, for founders looking to connect with investors and secure funding to scale
• The Dual Lane, for innovators pursuing both partnership and investment opportunities

How the Accelerate event works

Selected companies get a 1:1 pitch practice session ahead of time, then a private 30-minute session with Merck KGaA and M Ventures leadership on the day itself, small-group sessions with regulatory and investment strategy experts, an “Ask Merck Anything” roundtable, and a VIP networking reception.

Key dates

• Open call launches: 8th July
• Open call closes: 2nd September
• Notification of successful companies: 11th September
• Pitch day: 5th October

Applications are open now at wplatform.typeform.com/to/KGzviBQM.