May 23, 2025
When a federal funding slowdown threatened to stall early-stage biotech innovation, Altitude Lab took action. It stepped in and built something rare — a place where bold science meets business acceleration.
Founded in 2020 through a partnership between Recursion and the University of Utah, Altitude Lab is Utah’s leading life science accelerator. It isn’t simply a coworking space — the lab offers more than 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art wet lab and office facilities.
Altitude Lab is tailored to health care, diagnostics, and biotech companies needing more sophisticated tools than a laptop to launch a business. The lab’s residents gain access to premium equipment, shared tissue culture suites, proximity to the university’s core research facilities, and more resources that can make all the difference to early-stage founders.
Altitude Lab goes beyond infrastructure and is a strong proponent of startups pursuing federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding. By offering pre-seed investment through its Altitude Lab Fund, it helps bridge the financial gap between SBIR research dollars and commercial readiness — key to a successful transition for many early-stage startups. Paired with hands-on guidance from seasoned biotech mentors, founders are better prepared to navigate regulatory hurdles and connect with investors and strategic partners.
Startups at Altitude Lab have raised more than $150 million in early-stage funding between 2020 and 2024. In biotech, where due diligence is extensive, that level of capital indicates investors see strong commercial promise in the companies coming out of the program.
Altitude Lab isn’t just backing promising science — it’s expanding who gets a seat at the table. The lab has attracted a growing number of founders in life sciences, including women and minority entrepreneurs, historically underrepresented in venture capital. Its intentional support is helping to create a more dynamic biotech community in Utah.
For startups at the forefront of cutting-edge science and seeking a collaborative space with tools to grow, Altitude Lab offers more than a place to work; it’s a launchpad for what’s next in health innovation.
Looking to support your small business in Utah? Visit the Startup State Initiative’s resource page to find more tools, programs, and communities to move your business forward, or learn how to start your business in Utah.
The information in this article is current as of the publishing date and is intended for informational purposes only. This article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, tax, or business advice. Any resources and organizations mentioned, unless an entity of or a partner of the state of Utah, are not formally endorsed by the Startup State Initiative or state of Utah.