Science Alliance Director Launches “Scientist to Entrepreneur” Series
Events will cover the issues to consider if you're thinking about starting a new venture.
Published October 25, 2010
Since 2004, the Academy’s Science Alliance program has offered an annual 12-week “Idea to IPO” course for scientists who are interested in how life science and technology companies are born. Based on the success of the series that’s been attended by some 400 scientists over six years, Science Alliance Director Monica Kerr this fall will expand the Academy’s offerings for budding science entrepreneurs. “We’ve heard of several people who took the Idea to IPO course and went on to obtain positions in venture capital or equity finance or consulting,” says Kerr. “It makes sense to expand the course.”
“Idea to IPO will become one piece of a broader Scientist to Entrepreneur Series that will hone in on the key issues anyone should pay attention to if they’re thinking about starting a new venture,” says Kerr. Beginning in November, new seminars will cover intellectual property; how to evaluate the market and assess the opportunity for a technological venture; how to navigate university technology transfer offices; and how to write a business plan. “Being able to translate research into business opportunities is not something that science PhDs receive in their education,” says Kerr.
The expanded program will be directed by the Idea to IPO course instructor, with additional instruction from IP attorneys, a successful technology entrepreneur and CEO, a technology transfer officer, and a senior manager from a university office of technology transfer and entrepreneurship. The seminars are free to Academy members, with public registration available for a fee. Thanks to funding from the Manhattan Borough President (see profile p. 28) the series will also be made available for out-of-town attendees by webinar, and content will be archived on the Academy website.