Interview with Alok Javali, Co-founder and CSO at Dawn-Bio
Dawn-Bio is a biotechnology start-up working towards developing stem-cell-based embryo models to improve in-vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates.
Read about the Journey, Vision and Building Dawn Bio
Q: Could you tell us about your professional journey so far?
I started my PhD in 2013 at InStem/NCBS in India, working in the lab of Dr. Ramkumar Sambasivan with a focus on developmental biology. My research involved studying embryonic development using the mouse as a model system. Because of the various challenges associated with working with mice, we also used stem cells to model aspects of embryo development in the dish. I became deeply fascinated by the idea that these stem cells allow us to learn about the mechanisms of development in a much more experimentally amenable system.
This motivated me to move to the lab of Nicolas Rivron at the IMBA (Institute of Molecular Biotechnology) in Vienna for my postdoctoral studies. There, they were able to get mouse stem cells to self-organize into structures that remarkably resembled mouse blastocysts, which they called “blastoids.” During my time there, I focused on extending this research further into human systems. We succeeded in developing human blastoids, which opened unprecedented opportunities to study the very early stages of human embryonic development. This work has significant implications for clinical research, particularly in areas like IVF and early pregnancy.
During one of our career meetings, we discussed the idea of creating a dedicated translational research unit to continue our work on human embryogenesis in vitro, with the goal of rapidly advancing our findings toward clinical applications. This eventually led us to spin out a startup, Dawn-Bio, from our lab, with my PI, Nicolas, as a co-founder.
Q: What does Dawn-Bio, as a start-up, focus on?
Our long-term vision for Dawn-Bio is to establish the company as a leader in using embryo models as an innovation engine to better understand and develop treatments for conditions related to fertility and pregnancy. Our first major milestone, which serves as our proof of concept, is ensuring that the discoveries made through our models can be successfully translated into clinical practice.
A primary obstacle to IVF success is the quality of the embryos. Most patients only produce a small number of embryos, and many of these are of poor quality, which frequently leads to implantation failure and prevents a pregnancy from progressing. To address this, we utilized “blastoids” to study the specific metabolic requirements of embryos. This research allowed us to identify several new molecules that support healthy and efficient embryonic development.
We are currently incorporating these molecules into a novel human embryo culture media. Our preliminary data is very promising, suggesting that this new media can double the formation of high-quality embryos, which would significantly improve IVF success rates. Once we have optimized the conditions for early development, we plan to shift our focus toward the later stages of implantation and eventually move into the field of preventive prenatal medicine.
Q: What motivated you to venture into a startup?
I strongly believe my educational background prepared me to think in this direction. Before my PhD, I studied biotechnology at an engineering college that put a lot of emphasis on solving real-world problems and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Even during my PhD, I was exposed to the idea of starting a business afterward, as I saw some of my colleagues follow that path.
During my post-doc, after we developed the in vitro system, I realized that it had significant translational research value and could help solve real problems in the field of IVF. I knew that within an academic setting, it would take many years for this to be implemented, so we decided to form a dedicated startup to work on it.
Q: What does your current role involve?
As the CSO, my main responsibility is to ensure that all of our findings are scientifically sound. I lead a group of four scientists, and overseeing this work remains my primary role. Additionally, my job involves communicating the science and research we perform in the right way to the right audience. Depending on who you are talking to, such as clinicians or investors, you need to communicate the science in the most effective way possible.
Q: How do you navigate through funding challenges, and how accessible has funding been in your experience?
Much of the funding you can get depends on the specific type of research you are performing. In Austria specifically, the available opportunities are very supportive for launching a company and for projects at an early stage. Various federal and regional agencies offer funding to deep-tech startups. We also have access to EU funding programs. But most of these opportunities are extremely competitive. You have to convince the funding organizations that you are tackling a major problem and be persuasive that you are in a unique position to solve such large-scale issues. Furthermore, some public funding bodies only offer partial funding and require you to prove you have additional financing, usually through private investors.
Additionally, we participated in several startup accelerator programs, where we received a lot of training regarding business plan development, finding customers, and identifying collaborators. Along with this, these accelerators also share their networks to connect us with private investors. One thing we noticed when we started building our startup is that people are often much more helpful, particularly with providing relevant introductions and opening up their networks. This really allowed us to secure private investment.
Advice for Navigating Careers Beyond Academia
Q: What key advice would you offer students who are thinking about transitioning from academia into industry?
The first step is to begin considering the field you want to pursue or the specific roles and industries you’re interested in, ideally when you are about halfway through your PhD. Many people tend to think about this only at the very end, which can become quite overwhelming. The next step is to network. This is highly important at each stage of your career. Try to connect with people who are already in the field where you are interested in working. Networking plays a crucial role in the job search process and is often more effective than simply applying to a large number of companies at random. While submitting many applications might seem like it increases your chances, it doesn’t necessarily lead to better outcomes. Instead, building meaningful connections with people across different industries can make a significant difference.
Furthermore, networking improves your profile by giving you more information on the actual needs of the job. This insight allows you to better prepare your profile and take relevant courses if necessary to bridge any gaps. When job openings do arise, hundreds of candidates may apply. However, if you’ve already established connections within a company or industry, your application is more likely to stand out and be prioritized during the screening process. In that sense, networking not only increases visibility but also gives you a strategic advantage over applicants who rely solely on cold applications.
Q: What guidance would you give to someone interested in pursuing an entrepreneurial career or starting their own venture?
One key piece of advice for anyone entering the startup world is to avoid trying to do everything on your own. Most successful startups are built on strong, interdisciplinary teams. It’s important to either put together a capable team early on or have a clear understanding of your own strengths and the gaps you need to fill. Having the right people and clear roles creates a much stronger foundation than trying to manage every aspect yourself.
Another important point is that having an idea is not enough; execution and validation matter just as much, if not more. While many people assume startups begin with a great idea, the reality is that ideas are easy; what truly matters is whether that idea solves a real-world problem.
The best way to ensure this is through early validation. You should engage with customers as soon as possible and focus on observing and understanding their journey. This helps you uncover actual problems that people are willing to pay to solve. Finally, be very clear about who your actual customer is. It may not always be the person you initially expect, and identifying the right customer early on is critical to building a successful startup.
Q: How did your PhD experience shape your professional development?
My PhD had a strong impact on shaping my professional growth. Under my supervisor’s mentorship, I developed both technically and intellectually, gaining a deeper understanding of how to frame meaningful scientific questions and approach them the right way. This training has helped me in my current role as a CSO. What I value most about my PhD is not just the publications, but the overall development it helped me build during those years.
Q: Is Dawn-Bio currently hiring?
We aren’t actively looking for new team members at this moment. However, things can move quickly in a startup environment. We will keep our website and LinkedIn page updated whenever new positions open up.
Réseau Biotechno webinars are back with a new cycle: Careers in Clinical Research
In partnership with MultiHealth Group, discover the “Attaché de Recherche Clinique” (Clinical Research Associate) role!
What does a CRA do precisely? How do they manage a week of monitoring a clinical trial? How do you become a CRA and how do you succeed in the role? Learn everything you need to know about this essential job in the clinical trial space!
- Monday 18th of May 2026 at 18h00 (CEST)
- Session held in French
- Registration opens next week on our LinkedIn page, don’t miss it!
Registration is open! European Doctoral Day
Réseau Biotechno is pleased to participate in the organization of the European Doctoral Day event in Paris, in collaboration with our partners!
Register now and join us for an inspiring afternoon celebrating the value of doctoral training, highlighting inspiring projects and fostering discussion between academia, industry, institutions and society.
- “Le doctorat face aux grands défis de notre temps” event
- 13th of May, 13h45 to 20h20
- Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Sorbonne University, Paris
- In person event with live re-transmission
- Event held in French
Every year, the D4Gen hackathon brings together biomedical scientists, engineers, data scientists, entrepreneurs and more all seeking to discover new ways of using the power of artificial intelligence to resolve medical and environmental challenges. Each small team focuses on their own topic!
Register before the 1st of June!
- 48 hour hackathon – 5th of June at 17h to the 7th of June at 18h
- Evry-Courcouronnes
- Three prizes are awarded, first place wins 10,000 euros
- Four ways to participate :
- Join a team of 4 to 8 people and lend your skills to design a solution prototype
- Propose a challenge that you want to take on and create a team of new recruits that you’ll lead during the competition
- Become a mentor and contribute to innovation by offering a few hours of your know-how to the teams
- Become an event sponsor and accompany innovation experts and future talents on a path to better healthcare and a more sustainable environment
#ScientistAtWork photo competition
Online event
Capture a moment in your working day on camera for the chance to win a £500 cash prize (or local-currency equivalent) and the opportunity to see your winning image appear in print and online as part of Nature magazine’s Careers section!
Rencontres GDR ImaBio
Register until the 11th of May!
The French bioimaging community meets for three days of scientific exchange. Registration is free but ends soon! Event in French.
Meet2Win – the oncology partnering event
Meet2Win is a partnering convention dedicated to the oncology field. Join this two-day event combining conferences, collaborative sessions, spotlight sessions, one-to-one prescheduled meetings as well as an exhibition area! Find last year’s Conference Report on the Meet2Win website.
Pint of Science
Several cities across France
The international science communication fair is coming to several cities in France, from the 18th to the 20th of May. Remember to save your spot in your city, as tickets book out quickly! Most events are in French.
ICGT Innovations for Cell and Gene Therapies conference
This international conference brings together leading scientists, clinicians, researchers, and industry experts to explore the latest developments in the Cell and Gene Therapies field, from the research phase to clinical application.
EXPLORE Festival
Come and meet over 40 scientists in this free festival, open to all both adults and children. With speed-searches, scientific blind tests, workshops and film sessions, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Event in French.
JNBB Journée Nationale de la Bioproduction de Biomédicaments
Meet key players in the bioproduction and biotherapy field, as well as training and job opportunities. A variety of events, conferences and visits are available across the country, organised by France Biolead! Most events in French.
