Curriculum and Timeline

Year 1

Summer (0.5): Introduction, gain technology familiarity w/ inventor(s), IP policy review, licensing basics, market research practice

• Form Advisory Board/Mentorship committee: BRET ASPIRE, commercialization (CTTC), innovation and business development (Wond’ry), technical expertise (faculty inventor)
• CTTC internship, full time
• Attend lab meetings, observe technology in lab setting
• Self-paced participation in Kauffman FastTrac Program (https://www.fasttrac.org/)- free, online business planning program

Fall (1): Market research, initial customer discovery

• Wond’ry Ideator/I-Corps Site Program (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/programs/ideator/)
• Complete year long course From Academic Insight to Entrepreneurial Impact (UNIV 6215)
• I-Corps application

Spring (2): Planning and implementing

• Wond’ry Builder Program (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/builder/)
• Complete year long course From Academic Insight to Entrepreneurial Impact (UNIV 6215)
• 36|86 Festival participation
• I-Corps participation (if selected)
• Practice pitch to EAC (https://cttc.co/new-ventures/entrepreneurship-advisory-council)
• Discussions will commence 6 months prior to end of first year about the team’s assessment of future potential of the project so that the fellow is aware of the likelihood of continuation for the second and final year of support. The fellow will be given a minimum of 2 months advance notice of discontinuation of the fellowship.

Year 2
Summer (2.5): Bridge the gap

• Formation of company; license technology
• LaunchTN microgrant submission (foundation for SBIR grant and $5000 to help with SBIR grant writing and submission for fall deadline)

Fall (3): Gain momentum

• Apply for SBIR/STTR (NIH- Sept 5 deadline, award date in March)
• Wond’ry Founder Program (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/founder/)
• Complete online course(s): (free and self-paced)
  • Financing for Startup Businesses, Duke University via Coursera: capitalization tables, financing strategies, funding ventures- especially in the digital space.
  • Finance for Startups, KAIST via Coursera: understanding balance sheets, income statements and cash flow, company valuation and obtaining funding
  • Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market, Harvard University via edX: systematic innovation, new use scenarios, business and operating models, determining readiness and market fit, financing the venture.
• Develop business plan and financial model

Spring (4): Full steam ahead

• Wond’ry Founder Program (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/thewondry/founder/)
• Pitch
  • At competitions (e.g., 36|86, Life Science TN Venture Forum)
  • To investors
• SBIR/STTR funding announced in March, revised submission possible for April 5 deadline
• Applications for next steps
  • Accelerators/Incubators
  • Other commercialization grants

Other Considerations:

• Corporate formation and document execution
  • Technology will be held by an internal agreement until company is formed
  • Technology will be licensed to company once formed
  • Indicators of success
    • Executed CDA
    • Successful submission of LaunchTN microgrant (https://launchtn.org/microgrants/)
    • Successful submission of SBIR/STTR application
    • Pitching to investors to raise visibility, gain feedback, and potentially secure funding
  • Deliverables
    • Market research and customer discovery presentation (1)
    • Pitch Deck (2)
    • Business Plan & Financial Model (3)
    • Completed applications and/or secured funding (3-4)