Entrepreneurial Education Programs

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Oregon Health & Science University is devoted to innovating to advance science and optimize health worldwide. OHSU Innovates believes it’s critical to foster the inventor spirit that runs deep within our organization. We focus on ways to educate our aspiring innovators and engage with the community to help them understand the world of commercialization. We invite you to learn more about our work and attend one of our events soon. 

This 6-week I-Corps short course provides biomedical scientists, clinician scientists, and engineers with a new approach to accelerate the translation of discoveries from lab to clinical practice. Based on the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-CorpsTM) program, the premiere federally-funded innovation and commercialization training in the U.S., BIP Corp is an evidence-based experience that will take you out of your comfort zone to connect with potential customers and provide you with a competitive business case for future funding, partnership and translational science opportunities. 

                     Next cohort: Fall 2023 (Virtual)
                    Sept. 20 - Oct. 25

                    View course details and schedule

                    Contact Melissa Mudd for more information

This course is  offered  in partnership between OCTRI, OHSU Collaborations and Entrepreneurship and OHSU Technology Transfer, and the I-Corps@NCATS consortium led by University of Alabama at Birmingham. 

Increase your SBIR/STTR application's competitiveness with this proposal development resource. OHSU investigators receive free advice and feedback from a panel of SBIR/STTR experts on commercialization strategy and opportunity, research approach, feasibility assessment and overall readiness, among other critical review components. View more detailsClosed to an audience for confidentiality.

Sessions are offered 3 times annually in February, July, and November ahead of major SBIR/STTR deadlines. 

Contact Melissa Mudd if you wish to present or have questions: muddm@ohsu.edu

Commercialization Design Studios are offered at no-cost to investigators by the Collaborations and Entrepreneurship (C&E) office and the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI).

The Drug and Device Advisory Committee (DDAC) is a new offering that will provide free consultation and advice to investigatory teams, focusing on tasks needed to efficiently move a new drug or device towards commercialization according to FDA guidelines. The DDAC advisory panel is comprised of individuals with diverse experience and expertise in life science technology development and entrepreneurship. They can advise in the areas of FDA regulatory affairs, IP development and protection, clinical protocol, engineering, and marketing.

Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 2-3:30 pm. Teams interested in receiving feedback on project development should email Claudia Nakama, OCTRI Innovation Alliance Manager at nakama@ohsu.edu 

The INVENT Seminar Series hosts experts from the regional life science community to introduce fundamental principles of commercialization and entrepreneurship. This event aims to inspire and guide innovations from the university to the market, offer skill-building opportunities, develop a broad awareness of the commercialization pathway, and create robust networking opportunities. 

                 Participants: The series is open to anyone at OHSU with an interest in innovation as well as the public.

                Review series content and view the INVENT website for upcoming seminars.

Need assistance with market research for your technology or idea? 

Survey the competitive landscape with GlobalData Medical

Schedule an appointment with OHSU's Market Research Lab.

An annual OHSU student idea competition, intended for student-led concepts or technologies. Participants receive individualized training and mentorship for the duration of the competition to develop their pitch and innovation, compete to win prizes, and advance to the InventOR Statewide Collegiate Finals to win up to $30,000 in cash prizes. 

Students will come away with the resources and skills to: 

  • Develop an effective business pitch 
  • Understand the basics of bringing a concept from idea to market 
  • Grasp the fundamentals of commercialization 
  • Network with peer-innovators and mentors  

Registration is now closed (annually open Jan-March) 

View OHSU competition details.   

Visit Invent Oregon website to learn more about the statewide competition.