This intense, hands-on program works directly with up to 10 teams of entrepreneurial scientists and clinicians to develop business plans around their Cornell-patented intellectual property. The program culminates in a final pitch competition with venture capitalist judges who award up to $100K in cash prizes. Teams must apply to be selected to participate in this program. A call for applications is typically made in the first quarter of each calendar year.
Selected faculty-led teams complete 10 weeks of rigorous instruction by life science professionals and startup experts. With the help of over two dozen industry mentors (serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and corporate executives), the teams create initial business plans by the end of the program. Past Business Plan Challenge participants have successfully raised external funding, received federal grants, or obtained industry awards for their startups.
Contact Loren Busby at lob4002@med.cornell.edu for additional information.