VentureWell DARPA GO Independent Consulting and Commercialization Group (ICCG) Member

VentureWell is seeking five independent consultants or companies to serve as members of an Independent Commercialization Consulting Group (ICCG) providing advisory support to DARPA performers in the Generative Optogenetics program, with proposals due August 17, 2026.

Eligibility excludes named personnel on DARPA GO performer teams and entities with investments from adversarial capital sourced from China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or the Maduro regime. Direct experience in nucleic acid synthesis is not required. Both independent consultants and companies may apply.

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or higher and demonstrate 7 or more years of experience in commercialization strategy, scientific entrepreneurship, venture capital or investment portfolio management, relevant industry expertise, or subject matter expertise in synthetic biology, molecular biology, chemistry, material sciences, biological engineering, or related disciplines. The ICCG will include representation from venture capital and corporate investment, venture creation and licensing, and technical sectors specific to synthetic biology, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and bioprogramming.

Deliverables include participation in a virtual onboarding meeting and initial working group meeting (one month after contracting), mandatory attendance at Workshop #1 in Leesburg, Virginia on October 20–21, 2026, attendance at a Commercialization Training Event in March 2027, and up to 15 virtual workshop sessions over the contract term. Participation is estimated at 44 hours annually excluding travel time. VentureWell covers all travel and lodging costs for in-person events.

The contract term runs from October 2026 through May 2027, with potential annual renewal subject to member interest, performance, programmatic alignment, and DARPA approval. Compensation is structured at up to $6,600 per member per year based on milestone completion. ICCG members are classified as independent contractors with no employee benefits and are responsible for all applicable taxes, insurance, and withholdings. Proposals must be submitted through VentureWell's online platform. Selection decisions will be communicated in mid-September 2026. All selected members must complete conflict of interest and adversarial capital vetting prior to engagement.