Entrepreneurship in life sciences
BIO-490 / 4 credits
Teacher: Merten Christoph
Language: English
Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.
Summary
Based on real-world examples, hypothetical or own inventions, students are provided with a skill set for translating scientific innovation into a convincing investor pitch (including a comprehensive slide deck on all relevant aspects) and applications for funding of a startup project
Content
The course provides background information to prepare a roadmap for the establishment of a startup company, from the initial scientific innovation and market analysis, to regulatory and IP issues, and finally funding and investment opportunities.
The course is also supported by guest speakers introducing EPFL startup projects and specific EPFL funding opportunities (e.g. Catalyze4Life, Launchpad initiative).
Keywords
Market and competitor analysis, customer needs, business models, product development, growth and scalability, intellectual property and freedom to operate, regulatory issues and seed funding
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
none
Important concepts to start the course
Solid knowledge and understanding in the life science domain and a strong interest in entrepreneurship
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Present a real world case study of a failed or successful startup (5 min individual task)
- Analyze Market and competitor data
- Formalize Funding applications
- Perform convincing investor pitches (10 min group effort)
Transversal skills
- Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.
- Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.
- Communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines.
- Give feedback (critique) in an appropriate fashion.
- Demonstrate a capacity for creativity.
Teaching methods
(i) Detailed discussion of real world examples
Examples and concepts are introduced by the teachers and discussed in an interactive way. This provides the basis for preparing an individual case study and group tasks such as funding applications and investor pitches.
(ii) Independent follow-up work by the students in groups and individually
Students prepare a case study of an existing startup (indivudal task) and a group pitch, based on their own example innovations (hypothetical or real). Supervision and support are provided by the teaching assistants.
(iii) Example pitches by the teaching assistants
During one lecture the teaching assistants give example pitches with particular strengths and weaknesses, which are subsequently discussed and evaluated.
Maximum number of course participants is limited to 25 to enable a truly interactive format.
Expected student activities
Preparation of an individual case study (3min with slides)
Preparation of a written funding application including data base searches (papers, patents and business figures)
Preparation of a group pitch (10 min with slides)
The best group will be awarded with a trophy!
Assessment methods
Evaluation of the written funding application (25%)
Evaluation of the group pitch (35%)
Evaluation of the individual case study (35%)
Evaluation of participation in the discussions related to pitches of other students (5%)
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | Yes |
| Forum | No |
| Others | Office hours upon appointment |
In the programs
- Semester: Fall
- Number of places: 25
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Entrepreneurship in life sciences
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional
- Semester: Fall
- Number of places: 25
- Exam form: During the semester (winter session)
- Subject examined: Entrepreneurship in life sciences
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: optional