EntrepreNeuro
Campus Alberta Neuroscience’s EntrepreNeuro is a 7-week cohort-based program designed to support early-stage neuroscience projects to launch or grow their innovation.
Program Overview
Objectives
The EntrepreNeuro program aims to:
- Build capacity and knowledge needed to commercialize neuroscience research
- Help with the navigation and integration into the entrepreneurship and neuroscience start-up ecosystem (including but not limited to becoming a startup, licensing your innovation to an existing company, reaching clinical trial, pursuing non-dilutive funding, or external investment)
Highlights
- Program runs October 8, 2021 – November 19, 2021 (7 weeks)
- Requires 2-hours mandatory commitment each week (Fridays from 2:00-4:00pm Mountain Time)
- Virtual program focused on early stage neuro-related Alberta-based projects
- $5,000 in cash prizes
EntrepreNeuro
Workshop Series
Our innovation and commercialization workshop series will support and enhance the entrepreneurial knowledge and level of activity in Alberta by working with researchers, students and entrepreneurs in the neuroscience and/or mental health fields to transform their research and discoveries into new products and companies.
| Week | Workshop Session | Facilitator |
|---|---|---|
| 1
08 Oct 2021 |
Value Proposition Canvas | Eyren Uggenti Entrepreneur Program Manager (Tecconnect) Economic Development Lethbridge |
| 2
15 Oct 2021 |
Financing Your Startup | Crystal Phillips, Thin Air Health Lead, Thin Air Labs
Ben Hilborn, Funding Catalyst, Thin Air Labs Dr. Katie Greene, Funding Catalyst, Thin Air Labs |
| 3
22 Oct 2021 |
Regulatory Approval Process | Michelle Nelson Senior Manager, Business Development and Strategy Planning, IMPACT Innovate Calgary |
| 4
29 Oct 2021 |
Customer Discovery & Positioning |
Senior Innovation Consultant Jo-Louise Huq Offered as part of the AHS Health Innovation Platform Partnership (HIPP). |
| 5
05 Nov 2021 |
Intellectual Property | Maris Apse Associate Director, Life and Medical Sciences, Technology Transfer Innovate Calgary |
| 6
12 Nov 2021 |
Pitch Clinic | Kevin Dahl Advisor Platform Calgary |
| 7
19 Nov 2021 |
Pitch Competition | Judges:
|
Application Process
Please download this reference document to assist you in your application process. Note that you cannot save your progress while completing the online application. The application should take 10-15 minutes to complete.
The application deadline is 5:00PM MST on Friday, September 24, 2021. You may be contacted for an interview should we require further information on your project. The notice of final decisions will be made by Friday, October 1, 2021.
FAQ
Is the EntrepreNeuro program free of charge?
All we ask of our participants is regular attendance to EntrepreNeuro workshops and commitment to working on their innovation projects.
- Ideally participants represent Edmonton, Lethbridge, Calgary and the respective universities, but is open to anyone based in Alberta
- Must be a Campus Alberta Neuroscience member. Membership is free and easy at https://www.albertaneuro.ca/register/
Does Campus Alberta Neuroscience/EntrepreNeuro take equity?
No. With all university-based innovations, please consult your institution’s technology transfer office to discuss intellectual property implications of your innovation within your institution.
Do I need an idea?
To participate in EntrepreNeuro, you will require an idea as part of the selection process. Participants who do not have an idea will be referred to partner organizations in the innovation ecosystem.
What type of idea do I need?
- EntrepreNeuro welcomes any idea in the field of neuroscience (including mental health)
- The idea may be an app, device, pharmaceutical drug, procedure, treatment, and/or any other innovation.
How does EntrepreNeuro protect the participants intellectual property?
Participants accepted into EntrepreNeuro will sign a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement before being admitted into the program
How do I qualify for the pitch competition and what is the prize?
- Workshop attendance is required by participants to qualify for the pitch competition
- Participants can miss one (1) of the six workshops to provide some flexibility and still qualify for the pitch competition.
- Participants have a chance to pitch their idea to a panel of expert judges to win cash prize towards jumpstarting their innovation
- Grand Prize – $3,000
- Runner-up Prize – $2,000
Who are the pitch competition judges?
The panel of expert judges will consist of representatives of the EntrepreNeuro program partners and/or broader innovation ecosystem. The judges will include representatives from each city (Edmonton, Lethbridge, Calgary). More information on those confirmed will be provided during the EntrepreNeuro program.
What are the program objectives?
- Build capacity and knowledge needed to commercialize neuroscience research
- Help with the navigation and integration into the entrepreneurship and neuroscience start-up ecosystem (including but not limited to becoming a startup, licensing your innovation to an existing company, reaching clinical trial, pursuing non-dilutive funding, or external investment)
What are the selection criteria to be accepted into the EntrepreNeuro program?
- Neuro-related startup venture
- Participants are required at minimum to have an idea
- A limited number of participants will be accepted into EntrepreNeuro with priority given to those with a novel approach to neuroscience innovation
Do I need a team?
EntrepreNeuro welcomes both individual participants and teams of participants.
Does our entire team need to attend workshop sessions?
A maximum of 2 team members can attend a workshop session. The workshop attendance throughout the program can be shared among the team.
Does our team need to be affiliated with an academic institution?
While Campus Alberta Neuroscience is an initiative of the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge and an affiliation would be ideal, we serve the broader Alberta neuroscience innovation ecosystem.
Who should apply?
Clinicians, doctors, entrepreneurs, students, and researchers across the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge, and beyond
How long is the program?
The formal programming is over 7 weeks (October 8 – November 19, 2021)
What is the time commitment for EntrepreNeuro participants?
- The EntrepreNeuro program comprises six (6), 2-hour workshops on Friday afternoons. Some pre-work may be required by workshop facilitators.
- Participants have a chance to pitch their idea to a panel of expert judges to win cash prize towards jumpstarting their innovation
- Participants must attend five (5) of the six (6) workshops to qualify to participate in the pitch competition hosted during week seven (7) of the workshop series
What is the EntrepreNeuro workshop format?
The workshops will be offered virtually and each workshop will include interactive, hands-on components. This may include the distribution of prep material ahead of the session, recap, and application of material to participant’s own projects, and establishing follow-up tasks.
Will we be interacting with other participants?
EntrepreNeuro offers a cohort-based format with workshop topics building on one another. The model facilitates multiple opinions and perspectives allowing participants to learn and network with others in the innovation ecosystem to create a better learning experience