Events

What does it really take to build a biotech startup?

Join us for a candid conversation with serial entrepreneur Dr. Laurence Blumberg as he shares firsthand insights from decades of building and leading life sciences companies from early-stage innovation to acquisition.

This session will go beyond the typical startup narrative to explore the realities of biotech entrepreneurship: long timelines, scientific uncertainty, capital intensity and the decisions that shape successful ventures.

Whether you are a researcher, inventor, or aspiring founder, this session will provide a grounded perspective on what it takes to translate scientific discoveries into viable companies.

Hosted by Lynda Inseque, director of Technology & Venture Initiatives and Engagement at Center for Technology Licensing.

Register here. 

In this conference course (June 1 - July 1), a select group of researchers working on biotechnology innovaion will "get out of their comfort zone" and talk to customers at the BIO International Convention to identify the best product-market fit. The course begins online and culminates with a trip to San Diego, CA for the 2026 BIO International Convention. Up to $5,000 (depending on team size) in travel reimbursement funding will be available for accepted teams*.   

You may apply with a team of 1-3 people. Teams may not split attendance between members. Please only include the members of your team that will be fully participating in the course. All team members are required to attend and participate fully in every course session and complete all coursework. 

Apply here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact icorps@cornell.edu for any questions. 

The following Virtual Courses are open to innovators in all STEM fields: 

• June 1 – July 1: Apply by May 6 
• July 6 – August 5: Apply by June 17
• July 27 – August 26: Open to startup/incubator teams. Apply by July 8
• September 4 – October 7: Apply by August 19. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply now! Please contact icorps@cornell.edu for any questions. 

The NCI SBIR Peer Learning and Networking (PLAN) webinar series provides an interactive forum for oncology biotech startups to hear best practices from NCI SBIR standout companies who have achieved success in product development and technology commercialization. 

As part of each webinar, participating small businesses share expertise on a specific topic and highlight resources that can support others on their journey from lab to market. The PLAN webinar is delivered in a two-part format: (1) short, pre-recorded panelist presentations that introduce key concepts and experiences, followed by (2) a live virtual Q&A session where attendees can engage directly with speakers.

This session will focus on how companies can effectively navigate FDA pre-submission meetings, including INTERACT, Pre-IND, and Q-Sub. Register here. 

Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Weill Cornell Medicine Office Hours are open to all who wish to gain more information about the advancement of patent filings and to discuss their technology venture project with a one-on-one meeting with a Weill Cornell business development and licensing professional. The Apr 29th office hours will be hosted by Jamie Brisbois, Ph.D., Manager, Business Development and Licensing. 

Jamie collaborates with Weill Cornell Medicine innovators to identify, market and license life sciences technologies. Prior to joining the Center for Technology Licensing in 2021, Jamie worked as a consultant with ClearView Healthcare Partners, a boutique health care consulting firm based in Boston. In addition, he served three years as a fellow with Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV), the technology transfer office of Columbia University.

Register here for your 30-minute private session. 

Join us for a fireside chat with Bakari Akil, Founder and Managing Director of Graves Hall Capital. 

In conversation with a Cornell Entrepreneur in Residence, Bakari will share how he built his career by acquiring and growing existing businesses, and what aspiring entrepreneurs should know about this powerful alternative to starting from scratch. 

If you're curious about business ownership, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. 

Register here. 

Join our flagship ecosystem-building event, convening investors, industry representatives, entrepreneurs and academic innovators/spinouts.

The 2026 Weill Cornell Medicine BioInnovate Conference brings together academic founders with investors, industry representatives, entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners with the expressed goal to connect and collaborate. The conference is a rare opportunity to meet a diverse group of life science inventors and spinout companies across therapeutics, device, digital health and diagnostic sectors. All Weill Cornell Medicine-affiliated inventors are encouraged to participate. In addition, select startup companies from the Upper East Side ecosystem as well as startups where faculty serve as CMOs and scientific advisors are also in attendance.

Over the years, this event has been a proven catalyst for direct investment from early-stage investors, co-development relationships with industry, and introductions to experienced management teams.

RSVP now!

Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) at Weill Cornell Medicine Office Hours are open to all who wish to gain more information about the advancement of their patent filings and to discuss their technology venture project with a one-on-one meeting with a Weill Cornell business development and licensing professional.

The Apr 21st office hours will be hosted by Eric Bryant, Intellectual Property Officer. 

Eric holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from New York University (NYU), a Juris Doctor from New York Law School, and is a registered patent attorney. He works with the Weill Cornell office to execute on intellectual property strategy, review submitted invention disclosures, and manage domestic and foreign patent filings and patent prosecution.

His expertise encompasses a variety of technologies including, but not limited to, diagnostics tools and methods, pharmaceuticals, controlled release therapeutic devices, respiratory devices, surgical tools, biological technologies and nanotechnology. 

Register here. 

The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization bill is official, and there are new changes to be aware of. Attend this upcoming webinar to learn more about those changes, the application process, and to get the latest on timing and program updates.

Kirk Macolini of InteliSpark will lead a free virtual workshop on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) application process.

You will learn:

• How to craft a successful SBIR/STTR application
• Strategies for developing a competitive proposal
• Find out the latest news about the SBIR/STTR program

Register here. 

Please mark your calendars for this year’s BioInnovate Program Series celebrating life science innovators from Weill Cornell Medicine as well as startup representatives from Cornell University and Cornell Tech.

Join leading investors and industry representatives from organizations including Healthwrx, EpiVax, Fusion Fund, LabyRx, Scion Life Sciences, L.E.K. Consulting, Qiming Venture Partners, and Regeneron for a dynamic series of conversations and events.

This panel of leading life sciences investors and industry representatives will share practical guidance on how academic innovators and spinout teams can strategically engage with potential funders and corporate development partners. The discussion will focus on the intentional steps founders take to secure and maximize high-value interactions with investors and industry, including how to build visibility, credibility, and relationship status.

Register here.