The NIH BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone Program – Application/Registration About the BIO-E Capstone Program The BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone represents a unique opportunity for academic scientists and those in the academic research pipeline – including students (undergraduate and graduate) and postgraduate research fellows – to learn about life science R&D/Commercialization and bio-entrepreneurship. The three-staged program begins with design thinking and the fundamental principles of Lean Startup as applied to the life sciences, advances through immersive learning in customer discovery and business hypothesis validation; and ends with a select group attending the Annual International BIO Convention – to be held June 4 – 8 in San Diego, CA. Throughout the program, participants will learn from experienced Lean Startup-certified instructors and mentors, and will have access to case studies while learning how to develop and build a minimal viable product (MVP). Interest in Promoting Diversity Every facet of the United States scientific research enterprise from basic laboratory research to clinical and translational research to policy formation requires superior intellect, creativity, and a wide range of skill sets and viewpoints. NIH’s ability to help ensure that the nation remains a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation is dependent upon a pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds who will help to further NIH's mission. Research shows that diverse teams working together and capitalizing on innovative ideas and distinct perspectives outperform homogeneous teams. Scientists and trainees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. Many benefits flow from a diverse NIH-supported scientific workforce, including fostering scientific innovation, enhancing global competitiveness, contributing to robust learning environments, improving the quality of research, advancing the likelihood that underserved populations and those that experience health disparities and inequities participate in and benefit from health research, and enhancing public trust. For more information, see NOT-OD-20-031: Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity. To help promote a diverse entrepreneurial research workforce within the life science industry, NIH particularly encourages individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to register to participate in the program. Students, postgraduate fellows, and early career faculty from HBCUs, HSIs, and Native and Tribal Colleges are also encouraged to participate. Eligibility The BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone is open to students, postgraduate fellows, and early career faculty in the life sciences. Candidates who are new to the NIH funding ecosystem are encouraged to register, as no prior funding or active NIH project experience is required. Program Design The BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone managed through a partnership with the Bio E. Capstone. The program consists of three stages with gated advancement from stage one through stage three. At each stage, Lean Startup certified instructors and product development experts use case studies and mentored feedback to facilitate learning. 1 Stage 1 – Introduction to Life Science Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (~6 weeks, virtual) Stage 1 of the program consists of virtual interactive sessions to introduce fundamental principles of design thinking and Lean Startup methodology.

At the end of six weeks, participants should be able to:
  • Characterize unmet market needs
  • Identify key product attributes
  • Conduct customer and stakeholder interviews
  • Validate business opportunities
2 Stage 2 – Project Development (~8 weeks, virtual) Stage 2 participants will be selected for a limited number of slots based on Stage 1 performance and project proposals. Participants are required to form or join entrepreneurial teams for a deeper immersion into advanced customer discovery, market research, validating business hypotheses, IP management, and entrepreneurial leadership mentoring and coaching. 3 Stage 3 - BIO International Convention Preparation & Presentation (~2 Weeks, in-person required) Participation in Stage 3 is on a competitive basis after successful completion of Stages 1 and 2. Selected participants are provided with personalized coaching and prepared to attend the 2024 BIO International Convention (June 3rd – 6th, 2024). Participants may also have the opportunity to present their project to life science industry representatives.

Participation in all stages of the BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone is free. PARTICIPATION IN ALL STAGES OF THE BIO-ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAPSTONE IS FREE. Please note the asterisk * indicates questions that are required to complete registration.
* Please enter your first name. * Please enter your last name. * What is your preferred email address? * What is your preferred phone number? * Please indicate your current status * What is your major? * What college/university do you currently attend? * Please provide the university and/or research institute or center where you have your primary faculty appointment and conduct your research What year do you expect to complete your degree or graduate? Provide a link to your lab website, Google Scholar, or LinkedIn profile: Describe your research experience, your current research project, and your faculty mentor's research group (maximum 250 words): Have you ever worked in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company before? Do you have any family members or close friends who work at a biotechnology or bio-pharmaceutical company? (yes/no) Do you have any family members or close friends who own their own business? (yes/no) What entrepreneurship education opportunities or technology transfer support do you have on your campus? Is there an I-Corps program at your campus - if so - have you taken advantage of it? Do you already have a biotechnology idea that you would like to develop further? (Please note: If you do NOT have your own idea you would like to further develop, you will be encouraged to work with a team on another venture idea during Stage 2) Describe your concept briefly and in very general terms and why you want to participate in this workshop. (Do not share unpublished, proprietary or confidential information!) Have you submitted any university invention disclosures, provisional patent applications, or do you have published patents? Have you submitted any invention disclosures or provisional patent applications with your university or organization, or do you have published patents? What are your learning goals if you participate in this bio-entrepreneurship program? What entrepreneurship education opportunities or technology transfer support do you have on your campus? Is there an I-Corps program at your campus - if so - have you taken advantage of it? How do you think you will use the things you learn at the workshop when you return to your campus? How do you think you will use the things you learn at the workshop when you return to your campus or organization? How did you learn about the NIH BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone Program? Please indicate how you describe yourself: By checking this box, you are affirming that all of the information you have provided in the application/registration form above is accurate. Cancel