
Biocentis develops genetically engineered insects to suppress harmful pest and vector populations and reduce reliance on chemical insecticides. They build a proprietary platform combining genome engineering (including CRISPR-based approaches), gene drive concepts, artificial intelligence, and data science to design and optimize control traits and deployment strategies. The company operates as a biotech product and services provider targeting public health agencies, agricultural producers, and environmental organizations with programs for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Drosophila suzukii fruit flies. Founded as a spin-out from Imperial College London with teams in the UK and Italy, Biocentis focuses on scalable, science-driven solutions for global challenges in health, agriculture, and biodiversity.

Biocentis develops genetically engineered insects to suppress harmful pest and vector populations and reduce reliance on chemical insecticides. They build a proprietary platform combining genome engineering (including CRISPR-based approaches), gene drive concepts, artificial intelligence, and data science to design and optimize control traits and deployment strategies. The company operates as a biotech product and services provider targeting public health agencies, agricultural producers, and environmental organizations with programs for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Drosophila suzukii fruit flies. Founded as a spin-out from Imperial College London with teams in the UK and Italy, Biocentis focuses on scalable, science-driven solutions for global challenges in health, agriculture, and biodiversity.
What they do: Develop genetically engineered, species‑specific insect control solutions using genome engineering and AI
Founded: 2022 (spin‑out from Imperial College London)
Target sectors: Public health, agriculture, biodiversity/environmental protection
Recent financing: $19M announced (Nov 2025) including $13M seed equity + $6M Wellcome award
Control of harmful insect pests and disease vectors to reduce chemical insecticide use and protect health, agriculture, and biodiversity.
2022
Agriculture and Farming
$19,000,000
$13M seed equity led by The Grantham Foundation and Algebris Investments; $6M Wellcome award
“Includes institutional and philanthropic backers such as The Grantham Foundation, Algebris Investments, Neurone, Corbites, Novaterra, and Wellcome Trust”
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Founder Associate (to the Chief Business Officer) – Biocentis
Location: Milan, Italy (Biocentis HQ at OpenZone campus)
Type: Full-time
Start: ASAP
Experience: 1–2 years
About Biocentis
Biocentis is a life sciences company pioneering a completely new class of products: that damage public health, agriculture, and biodiversity.
We are an Imperial College spin-out backed by leading climate and deep-tech investors . Our next years are pivotal: advancing our products into trials, securing partners, expanding our pipeline, building the foundations of a new product category.
The Role
We are now looking for a Founder Associate to join our Chief Business Officer (CBO) as a high-bandwidth generalist and strategic partner during this critical phase.
This is a rare opportunity to work side-by-side with a co-founder on the most important strategic, commercial, and operational questions Biocentis will face in the next years.
You will operate across strategy, market discovery and partnerships. Your mission is to help the CBO create clarity and momentum in areas where no playbook exists.
This role is ideal for someone early in their career (1–2 years), exceptionally smart, structured, curious, and excited by the idea of shaping a world-changing company.
What You’ll Work On
1. Market Validation & Partner Engagement
2. Pipeline Strategy
3. Cross-Functional Strategic Support
4. Anything Else That Moves the Company Forward
What We’re Looking For
Backgrounds that tend to do well in this role:
But there is no “correct” CV. We care about how you think, not where you worked.
Why This Role Is Special
How to Apply
Send your CV to federico.guelpa@biocentis.com with the subject line: “FOUNDER ASSOCIATE APPLICATION”