The Society of Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has selected 12 life science startups for its Innovation AveNEW program at SLAS Europe 2026. The annual conference takes place May 19–21, 2026, in Vienna, Austria. These emerging companies represent six countries spanning Europe, North America, and Australia. Their selection marks a significant step in advancing global laboratory automation and life sciences discovery.
What Is the Innovation AveNEW Program?
Innovation AveNEW is SLAS’s flagship startup showcase initiative. It connects early-stage life sciences discovery and technology companies with key purchasing influencers and decision-makers. Attendees arrive from more than 40 countries, offering selected startups rare access to a truly global audience.
The program covers exhibition fees, travel, and lodging for one company representative. Furthermore, it provides business consulting, mentorship, and exclusive promotional opportunities. Selected companies can also submit a scientific manuscript to SLAS Discovery or SLAS Technology — both peer-reviewed, Gold open-access journals published by Elsevier. As a result, participants gain visibility well beyond the conference floor.
The 2026 Selected Cohort
Companies From Six Countries
This year’s cohort features 12 companies from diverse geographies. Together, they represent a broad range of emerging laboratory technologies. Below is the full list of selected startups:
- 8-BOT Robotics (Germany)
- Chemetrian (USA)
- Culturon Pty Ltd (Australia)
- DaltonTx (United Kingdom)
- The Ensynble, Inc. (USA)
- linkdlab GmbH (Germany)
- Lutece Dynamics (France)
- PartitionBio Ltd (United Kingdom)
- Scalables (USA)
- Sync Biosystems (Netherlands)
- Syntopia (France)
- Trince (Belgium)
These startups span three continents. Their technologies aim to advance automation, screening, and life sciences discovery workflows. Notably, this geographic diversity reflects the truly international scope of modern laboratory innovation.
How Companies Are Evaluated
SLAS evaluates all Innovation AveNEW applicants through a rigorous review process. The selection panel assesses each company on technical merit and commercial feasibility. Specifically, reviewers consider the strength of the science and technology, startup status, and management team quality.
Additionally, judges examine the clarity of each company’s vision and market opportunity. They also weigh the potential impact on laboratory automation and technology. Only companies that demonstrate high standards across all these criteria earn a place in the program. Therefore, a spot in Innovation AveNEW signals strong scientific credibility and commercial promise.
The SLAS Ignite Award
A €5,000 Prize for the Best Startup
Every participating company competes for the prestigious SLAS Ignite Award. The conference announces the winner during the live event, and the winning startup receives €5,000.
Earlier this year, at the SLAS2026 International Conference and Exhibition, XDemics won the Ignite Award for its work in cell culture technology. Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Colin Cook described the win as transformative. “Winning the Ignite Award was an incredible honor and validation of the mission XDemics has been on,” Cook stated.
Cook also highlighted the program’s networking value. “There was such a buzz on Innovation AveNEW,” he noted. “A constant flow of prospective customers, executives, and researchers came by to discuss new developments.” He added that many strong connections formed during the event, and those connections are already reshaping XDemics’ marketing strategy in the high-throughput screening space.
Why This Program Matters for Lab Tech
SLAS’s Commitment to the Future of Science
SLAS CEO Vicki Loise outlined the program’s central role in the organization’s mission. “SLAS has always prioritized providing life sciences technology start-ups with invaluable market access, user feedback, and business counsel to grow and scale,” Loise stated. She further noted that welcoming a new Innovation AveNEW cohort to Vienna reflects SLAS’s ongoing dedication to advancing life sciences discovery and technology on a global stage.
For laboratory professionals tracking emerging enabling technologies, Innovation AveNEW offers a concentrated view of the startups shaping tomorrow’s workflows. Moreover, the program gives these companies direct access to a worldwide network of potential customers and collaborators. Consequently, many past participants have achieved significant commercial progress following their conference debut.
The SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition takes place May 19–21 in Vienna, Austria. Professionals working in laboratory automation and screening should register early to connect with this year’s innovative cohort.
