How Does It Work? Path of Excellence: Innovation & Entrepreneurship

To achieve recognition from the Medical School Dean, the Pathway of Excellence in Innovation & Entrepreneurship (PoE in I&E) trains students to gain the fundamentals of both innovation and entrepreneurship. We work with your schedule so that you can complete the first step of your I&E training through the Fast Forward Medical Innovation fullPACE course. This course focuses on teaching the fundamental concepts of life science innovations, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, as well as provides extensive one-on-one guidance and mentorship on the development of your capstone for impact project. Students are encouraged to join in their M1 year, but I&E welcomes students at any stage in their medical school career.

Before starting your M3 year, you will work with the I&E coordinator to plan out when it would be best to do your Branch-elective experience.  I&E has many different opportunities for this requirement and will work with you in creating your own experience. Branch electives can be completed over a period of several weeks or in as little as four weeks.

Venture Capitalist Elective – assess the commercial viability of a biomedical startup, learn how to invest, and learn how to create a business plan.

Business Development Elective – work with the FFMI Business Development team on various industry/company interactions, jump into idea consultations, and learn about managing strategic idea development.

Student Led Innovation or Entrepreneurship Elective – design and participate in your own I&E internship/externship, and develop a project with a researcher, faculty, resident, another project team, etc.

Put your experiences together! You must complete at least two types of impact-related requirements. The last requirement for all I&E students is to present your capstone or Branch elective at an I&E Final Capstone Presentation Event.

• Expert advisor – participate as a clincal expert advisor to biomedical engineers developing biomedical prototypes
• Present at a poster or pitch competition on your project
• Launch a startup
• Submit a patent application
• Submit a white paper
• Give a summary report on critical analysis for launching a program or idea, or developing a new prototype

What the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Path of Excellence Can Do for You

• Recognition from the Dean
• Gain professional leadership skills
• Network with key contacts
• Add to your resume or CV
• Enhance applications for MBA or dual degree program
• Find an internship
• Start a venture
• Launch a startup

Join fellow I&E students in the Innovation Bootcamp where you will learn about the fundamentals of biomedical commercialization and Design Thinking.

• Learn fundamentals of the Design Thinking process to think like an innovator and solve real medical problems
• Select a Design Challenge & team members
• Attend a series of required hands-on workshops to learn the basics in: Design Thinking, customer discovery, regulatory, reimbursement, process & systems, eco-systems, stakeholders, how to give a pitch on your idea, and more!
• View the FFMI online-learning module to support your continued growth on your own schedule
• Gain exposure to how medical device prototypes are constructed by engaging with engineers and utilizing our space in the Clinical Simulation Center.
• Present your project poster at the Midwest Growth Capital Symposium and network with real biomedical entrepreneurs in healthcare