HIGHLIGHTS:
Demystifying the process of launching a company
We started HIC in 2012 to teach Harvard Medical School students about the various components of life sciences innovation. Since then we have educated over 700 students, who have gone on to begin careers as startup CEOs, consultants, operating executives and VCs in the biotechnology, medtech and healthcare IT sectors. In the process, we have also developed a network of 100+ lecturers and mentors.
Through a rich and engaging 10-week curriculum, we help students and physicians to understand the innovation system. Classes run from September to November, where HIC students learn through 15-20 modules led by industry practitioners. These include innovators, such as Nobel Laureate Phil Sharp & Professor David Walt, entrepreneurs, industry leaders from leading life sciences companies, financiers from leading angel and venture capital firms, as well as other industry experts. Guest speakers include alumni, who return as mentors, judges and speakers, sharing their experiences after graduation.
The classes are structured so after 10 weeks, students have developed a “business toolkit” they can use to pitch to collaborators, customers and investors. The toolkit includes evaluating ideas and sizing markets, regulatory and reimbursement strategy, steps required to license technologies or spin out companies, structuring IP agreements, evaluating costs, understanding what data investors and customers need to see, and putting together comprehensive decks for thoughtful conversations with both industry leading companies in life sciences, as well as for raising angel money & venture capital. At the end of the ten weeks, student teams present their pitches on real-life technologies from Harvard Medical School to a range of guests.
The landscape for research in biotechnology and healthcare related technologies is evolving rapidly. Our mission is the broaden the education of aspiring scientists and physicians, that will best prepare them for success in their future academic or industry careers. On behalf of the entire HIC leadership team, we thank you for your involvement in this course to advance the training of the students in the HMS Community.
This year, we have partnered with the Harvard Medical School’s Center for Primary Care to broaden the scope of the course to include important aspects of diagnostics and digital health that are revolutionizing patient centered care at the level of the primary care clinic. Please see the Partnership tab for more information.
INNOVATION FAIR
One of the course highlights is the Innovation Fair. This event brings together a wide range of current technologies from Harvard in a “science fair” type format. Experienced entrepreneurs, innovators and HMS students discuss the potential of presented ideas.
After selecting an idea to work on, student teams of 4-6 individuals spend eight weeks investigating the market potential of the idea and developing a roadmap to its successful launch in the form of a venture capital pitch.
- Hands-on, action-oriented learning
- Presentations from entrepreneurs, investors, specialists & corporate executives
- Overview of the nuts & bolts of building plans
- Experience with real-life inventions at Harvard
- Assistance from mentors to prepare business plans
- Validation of ideas by interacting with potential customers
- Panel discussions
- Collaboration with the Harvard Innovation Lab
- Gourmet dinners and networking sessions follow each of the weekly module
Demystifying the process of launching a company
We started HIC in 2012 to teach Harvard Medical School students about the various components of life sciences innovation. Since then we have educated over 700 students, who have gone on to begin careers as startup CEOs, consultants, operating executives and VCs in the biotechnology, medtech and healthcare IT sectors. In the process, we have also developed a network of 100+ lecturers and mentors.
Through a rich and engaging 10-week curriculum, we help students and physicians to understand the innovation system. Classes run from September to November, where HIC students learn through 15-20 modules led by industry practitioners. These include innovators, such as Nobel Laureate Phil Sharp & Professor David Walt, entrepreneurs, industry leaders from leading life sciences companies, financiers from leading angel and venture capital firms, as well as other industry experts. Guest speakers include alumni, who return as mentors, judges and speakers, sharing their experiences after graduation.
The classes are structured so after 10 weeks, students have developed a “business toolkit” they can use to pitch to collaborators, customers and investors. The toolkit includes evaluating ideas and sizing markets, regulatory and reimbursement strategy, steps required to license technologies or spin out companies, structuring IP agreements, evaluating costs, understanding what data investors and customers need to see, and putting together comprehensive decks for thoughtful conversations with both industry leading companies in life sciences, as well as for raising angel money & venture capital. At the end of the ten weeks, student teams present their pitches on real-life technologies from Harvard Medical School to a range of guests.
The landscape for research in biotechnology and healthcare related technologies is evolving rapidly. Our mission is the broaden the education of aspiring scientists and physicians, that will best prepare them for success in their future academic or industry careers. On behalf of the entire HIC leadership team, we thank you for your involvement in this course to advance the training of the students in the HMS Community.
This year, we have partnered with the Harvard Medical School’s Center for Primary Care to broaden the scope of the course to include important aspects of diagnostics and digital health that are revolutionizing patient centered care at the level of the primary care clinic. Please see the Partnership tab for more information.
INNOVATION FAIR
One of the course highlights is the Innovation Fair. This event brings together a wide range of current technologies from Harvard in a “science fair” type format. Experienced entrepreneurs, innovators and HMS students discuss the potential of presented ideas.
After selecting an idea to work on, student teams of 4-6 individuals spend eight weeks investigating the market potential of the idea and developing a roadmap to its successful launch in the form of a venture capital pitch.
