There’s a new kid on the block in the Innovation Quarter. The iQ recently announced the opening of Sparq Labs, the iQ’s newest amenity for life science companies.
With its relationship to Sparq, the startup and small business launchpad, Sparq Labs may actually be less of a new neighbor and more of a new sibling, adding a new dynamic for the ecosystem and providing a boost for startups and established biotech companies alike.
Regardless of where you fit on the biotech family tree (or if you’re even related), here’s the hard-hitting talking points that will keep you up to speed on the latest development in the growing life sciences sector of Winston-Salem.
Sparq Labs
Sparq Labs is leaseable scientific research space for life science companies of all sizes and stages of growth.
Who is Sparq Labs for?
Sparq Labs was created for life sciences companies, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Regardless of whether the business is a startup or a more established company, there’s customizable space and adaptable lease options at Sparq Labs to fit everyone’s needs. The goal for Sparq Labs is to provide scientific research space for companies of all sizes and stages of growth within a supportive and amenity-rich environment.
The tenants already calling Sparq Labs home run the gamut of life sciences work, including:
- CG Medtech, a regenerative medicine solutions developer for dental, orthopedic, reconstructive and spine surgery
- CryoCrate, a biobanking company, developing cryopreservation technology
- Mercodia, an immunoassay development and bioanalytical services company
- Ricoh, a first-of-its-kind manufacturing facility that provides design and manufacturing services for patient-specific 3D-printed anatomic models
- Charter Medical, a company that designs, develops, and manufactures single-use solutions for healthcare applications
What is Sparq Labs?
At the most basic, Sparq Labs is life science laboratory space. The labs are state-of-the-art biotech facilities, providing key features and equipment that life science companies need to do their research, like bench space, venting, and other scientific basics that can be hard to procure for small companies or lean ventures. (If you want to go down the rabbit hole, check out the specific features available for Sparq Lab members.)
In addition to the physical lab space, Sparq Labs also provides a valuable connection to Sparq proper, with companies receiving complimentary Sparq memberships and access to some of the Sparq resources and amenities–think office space, conference rooms, and networking–as well as a direct connection to its entrepreneurial community. While the labs help biotech companies do the science part of their businesses, these Sparq resources help companies (especially the startups) tap into the broader business community.
Where is Sparq Labs located?
Sparq Labs is located at One Technology Place in the iQ, which is a strategic location for a couple reasons.
Recently, Winston-Salem has experienced significant growth in the biotechnology and life science sectors, creating an increase in biotech infrastructure and driven by scientific breakthroughs. Winston-Salem is part of the nation’s 7th fastest-growing region for life sciences construction. It’s one of the places to be if you want to participate in the biotech boom, with new and established companies creating strong connections in this sector.
More specifically, locating a biotech company in the iQ puts you in close proximity to all the innovation happening in regenerative medicine in Winston-Salem, exemplified by a $160 million-dollar National Science Foundation Engine Award. This award resulted in the creation of the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine, which will stimulate economic growth by developing technologies in the industry.
The locus of regenerative medicine research is the nationally recognized Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, located in the heart of the iQ (and right next to One Technology Place), and Sparq Labs provides location, location, location for any company hoping to create partnerships within that sector.
It’s also a great spot to be in order to enjoy the lifestyle components of the iQ. Bailey Park is just a short walk away from Sparq Labs, as are the restaurants, bars, and coffee shops of the iQ. And with the Phase II development of the iQ underway, Sparq Labs will have a front row seat to the newest additions to the innovation district.
When does Sparq Labs open?
They’re already open for business! Sparq Labs launched in August 2024, with multiple biotech companies already in residence, who can’t wait to see what other neighbors move into the next door (or bench lab) over. There are also other key locations across the iQ that are under consideration for future lab space as the needs of Sparq Labs grow.
Why is Sparq Labs important?
Isaac Perry, the head of biotech and ecosystem development for the iQ and Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., calls Sparq Labs the “the front door” to the iQ for life sciences companies. He sees the new lab space as a low-commitment invitation to join the innovation ecosystem that is growing in the iQ.
The magic of being a part of that ecosystem are the connections and partnerships that can come out of proximity with each other. Sparq Labs, by offering affordable space for life sciences companies, lowers the barriers to entry into the ecosystem. Each new addition to the iQ strengthens the larger ecosystem and creates more opportunities to spark breakthroughs and developments.
For biotech companies of all kinds and sizes, Sparq Labs is an open door, an opportunity to grow and participate in something special, in the critical mass of life sciences developments that are making this region, and this city in particular, a great place to call home–wherever you are on the life sciences family tree.
