Business Encounters: Life Scientist

Internet Resources for Life Sciences Entrepreneurship

Bio-Tech Industry Careers

Readings:

Podcasts:

NEWS

Biospace – A news source and job information for the Life Sciences Industry

Finding A Mentor

Reading:

Support for Women and Minorities in Sciences

Women

Minorities

  • Research for All. Nature News. November 19, 2015;527(7578):275. doi:10.1038/527275a.
  • Hurtado S, White-Lewis D, Norris K. Advancing Inclusive Science and Systemic Change: The Convergence of National Aims and Institutional Goals in Implementing and Assessing Biomedical Science Training. BMC Proc. 2017;11(Suppl 12):17. doi:10.1186/s12919-017-0086-5. PMCID: PMC5773897. PMID: 31851727.
  • Oh SS, Galanter J, Thakur N, et al. Diversity in Clinical and Biomedical Research: A Promise Yet to Be Fulfilled. PLoS Med. December 2015;12(12):e1001918. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001918. PMCID: PMC4679830. PMID: 26671224.

Women

  • Women in Bio –  WIB is “an organization of professionals committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship for women in the life sciences.” Find local chapters to join, mentoring, career support, and more. See their “Entrepreneur Center” which supports female founders of life science companies from early start-up to later stages.
  • Association for Women in Science –  Non-profit with a mission of supporting full participation of women and achieving equity in all disciplines and across all employment sectors of STEM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and STEM. Includes support for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
  • Rosalind Frank Society – National non-profit organization that seeks to enable more women to attain leadership positions in academia, industry, and government.

Minorities

  • National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) –  NRMN is part of the NIH’s Diversity Program Consortium (DPC) and seeks “to enhance the participation and persistence of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research careers.”
  • Minority Postdoc –  This resource is a “web portal on the minority postdoctoral experience especially in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.”
  • National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering & Science, Inc. (GEM) –  GEM seeks to increase minority population participation in engineering and science at both the master’s and doctoral levels.
  • Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) – GMiS “is a non-profit organization that focuses on STEM educational awareness programs for students from kindergarten to career.” Formerly known as the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC)

Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities

  • Role of Women In Biotechnology – Short descriptions of some of the most accomplished women in Biotechnology by BQ Research and Development. Length: 2:30 mins.

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship – General Resources

  • The Balance Small Business – Support for starting any small business. Resources include “Entrepreneurship 101”, Obtaining Financing, Operations, Employment Laws & Taxes, Management
  • Eva Garland Consulting – Support for companies to advance their developement of science and technology including obtaining funding.
  • SBIR Land – Website with a collection of resources and discussion forums related to SBIR funding produced by Eva Garland Consulting.
  •  Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) – RESI is “an ongoing conference series establishing a global circuit for early-stage life science companies, active investors, and various service providers to meet, create dialogues and start relationships – ultimately moving science and technology forward.” Sponsored by Life Science Nation, which matches life science buyers and sellers.
  • Hutchison Law – Law firm with a focus on life sciences and technology businesses.

Biotech/Life Science Entrepreneurship

Readings:

  • NC Biotechnology Center – The mission of this regional accelerator is “to accelerate life science technology-based economic development through innovation, commercialization, education, and business growth…[by connecting] companies with university researchers and introduce entrepreneurs to potential funders.” Also provides a wide range of other support for biostartups.
  • Launch Bio – A national nonprofit organization with regional organizations that support science and biotechnology companies, with an emphasis on high-impact, high growth companies.
  • DUNS (Future UEI) – Establish your business as a unique entity by applying for a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses. Involves a 2-day turnaround. This will be replaced by a Unique Entity Identifier.
  • System for Award Management – Register your business to do business with the government. This process can take 2 to 6 weeks.
  • Small Business Administration Company Registration – Obtain a Business Concern Control ID (SBC ID) and access to the sbir.gov system. Takes 1 day.
  • Grants.gov Applicant Registration – Explains the quick process of creating an account before applying for any funding through the government. Allow 2 days for registration to be completed. Includes identifying your organization’s E-business point of contact who will approve Authorized Organization Representatives who can submit proposals.
  • Agency-specific registrations include:
  • Employer Identification Number – Apply for your EIN so you can pay federal taxes, hire employees, open a bank account, and apply for business licenses and permits. If you pay state taxes, apply for a state number, as well.

NEWS:

Top News on Bio-Technology and Startups by Start-up City – Includes national and international news.

Life Science Entrepreneurship Education

A number of universities provide an Entrepreneurship focus within their Life Science, Technology, or Medicine Master’s or Certificate programs. This paired learning allows life scientists get a deeper understanding of the entrepreneurial process.

Educational Programs

Certificate Training Programs

Support for Women or Minority Life Scientist Entrepreneurship

For Women Entrepreneurs

National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) – A non-partisan federal advisory committee that provides advice and policy recommendations to the President, the U.S. Congress, and SBA on important issues for women business owners and entrepreneurs.
NWBC ‘Grow Her Business’ Resources is a collection that supports women entrepreneurs’ commitment to growing their businesses.

Video:

NIH Webinar (Video) – Accelerating Innovation: Funding for Women Entrepreneurs in Biotechnology and Healthcare – Webinar co-hosted by NCATS, NHLBI, NCI, and the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) describes programs and funding opportunities and provides advice to support women-owned small businesses and women in research and technology transfer. Length: 1:19 hrs (*starts at the 6 minute mark)

  • SheEO – SheEO allows women entrepreneurs to pitch their idea for potential funding. Selected entrepreneurs spend the weekend together and get to know one another before dividing up the capital they have been given.
    
  • Girls In Tech – Girls in Tech is an accelerator for all women in tech-related fields which provides networking meetings, trainings, competitions, funding, and opportunities for community involvement.

NEWS

Women in Business – News about women entrepreneurs from Entrepreneurship an online magazine and source of other resources.

For Minority Entrepreneurs

  • Minority Business Development Agency – The MBDA is a government agency for growth of U.S. minority businesses via educational and business resources, including financial and globalization information.
  • National Minority Business Council (NMBC) – The NMBC is a non-profit corporation that provides educational assistance, training, and networking opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
  • Minority Chambers of Commerce – Advocacy groups for entrepreneurs, also offering networking opportunities and resources for growth and local and national chapters for African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians.
  • The Marathon Foundation (TMF) –  TMF hosts regional and national networking events to connect minorities to networks of professionals and maintains a database of deal opportunities for its members. Also sponsors entrepreneur education programs.

NEWS

Black Women Entrepreneurs – News about black women entrepreneurs from Entrepreneurship an online magazine and source of other resources.

Intellectual Property

Check these resources early to make sure your intellectual property is protected.

Readings:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)  – The federal agency for granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks. The website has sections on Patents, Trademarks, Intellectual Property Policy, and Learning and Resources.

NEWS

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office News and Updates

Funding: Government Sources

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Funding

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Funding SBIR/STTR – These seed funds from the NIH and NSF for small businesses are obtained by the scientists by writing grant proposals and submitting them for review in a competitive process. These funds have the advantage over other seed fund sources of having 0% equity, which means you still own 100% of your company.

  • SBIR/STTR Tutorial – Includes Agency Introductions and Solicitations, Finding Topics, Registration Requirements, Patents, and many more topics.
  • SBIR/STTR Resources – A comprehensive suite of resources to support small businesses in applying for grants and commercializing their technologies.
  • SBIR/STTR Application Process – An infographic that provides a linked overview of registrations, electronic submission, scientific review process, the funding process, commercialization.
  • SBIR Funding – With subtopics: Funding Topics and Solicitations

General Services Administration (GSA) Contracts and Support for Small Businesses

GSA: Small Businesses Information on how small businesses can compete for government contracts. Includes information on which Small Disadvantaged Businesses and Women-Owned Businesses may be set aside for special consideration. Businesses that are registered with the SBA and SAM.gov may look for open contract opportunities at Federal Business Opportunities.

National Institute of Health (NIH) Support for Small Businesses

NIH SBIR/STTR  – Comprehensive collection of information and resources on the SBIR/STTR program within the NIH

  • Targeted Funding Announcements  – Speak directly with an HHS SBIR/STTR program manager at least a month BEFORE the deadline to gauge their interest.
  • NIH Matchmaker – Conduct keyword searches of a particular topic area to identify NIH Institutes or Centers (ICs) that have previously funded research in that area.
  • NIH RePorter – Searchable database of NIH funded  Look up your topic to find related research that is already funded. Learn what institutions have taken an interest in ideas like yours.
  • Applicant Assistance Program (AAP) – The AAP helps small businesses write and submit Phase I grant proposals providing coaching and guidance on application needs assessment, preparation, and review. Aims to help under-represented groups, which are women, minorities, and certain states, achieve SBIR/STTR funding. Must be established as a business with no previous funding. Available at certain NIH institutes. Application deadline for AAP is several months ahead of proposal deadline.
  • Early Stage Investigators – This webpage describes the NIH’s policy to support early-stage investigators in obtaining funding to get started with research. For example, the NIH Next Generation Researchers Initiative (NGRI) prioritizes funding for early-stage investigators. The Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Grant Program (news article) for both clinical (policy page) and non-clinical (policy page) studies, can provide funding for you to launch your research. Having preliminary data is not required.

NEWS:

SBIR/STTR NIH Newsflash Page –  News on NIH SBIRT/STTR funding programs, deadlines, changes in policy

NIH Research Matters –  Weekly update on NIH’s research advances

National Science Foundation (NSF) Program for Small Businesses

 Funding for Small Businesses – NSF offers contracts through their Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) and seed capital for early-stage product development through America’s Seed Fund SBIR and STTR programs.

NIH Support for Commercialization

The following NIH funding opportunities support commercialization at various stages of the development of your product and business.

Support for Awardees (NIH)

  • Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) provides administrative and general management consulting services to SBIR/STTR awardees in the form of:
    • TABA Needs Assessment and report on commercialization areas from a life science industry or technology perspective.
    • TABA Funding to achieve identified commercialization needs identified.
  • NIH Education Programs on Commercialization
    • Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) NIH program that “provides funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help commercialize” biomedical technology. The program lasts 8 weeks and is comprised of 24 teams. Intended to support the transition to Phase III.
    • Concept to Clinic: Commercialization Innovation (C3i) Program: Mentoring and a curriculum provide business frameworks and tools for early-stage translating biomedical technologies to the clinic market (clinic) and a better understanding of your innovation’s commercial viability.
  • NIH Funding and Support Programs on Transitioning to the Marketplace
    • Commercial Readiness Program (CRP) is an NIH program that supports the transition from Phase II to Phase III, that is, to go from being SBIR-funded to the marketplace. Provides training in developing tailored market entry strategies, build strategic partnerships, develop FDA regulator and reimbursement paths, create financing strategies, and understand intellectual property.
    • Regulatory and Business Development Associates, NIH Innovator Support – A free business resource for small business awardees. A team of entrepreneurs in residence provides assistance with commercialization of your technology and achieving success in the market.
  • NIH Partnering and Investment Opportunities
    • Company Showcase (In development)

Discontinued NIH Commercialization Support Programs

  • Niche Assessment Program (NAPS) was an NIH Program for Phase I awardees to support an understanding of their market. Similar needs are now met by the new TABA Nees Assessment program.
  • Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP) was a 9-month NIH program intended for Phase II/IIb awardees. It provided individualized assistance toward accomplishing key commercialization goals. A program that will address similar needs is in development.
  • National Centers for Accelerated Innovation and Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hubs of research institutions and federal and private sector partners were created by the NIH to expedite translation of “biomedical discoveries into commercially viable diagnostics, devices, therapeutics, and tools to improve patient care and enhance health.”
  • Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) – FLC is a national network of “over 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers that fosters commercialization best practice strategies and opportunities for” technology transfer to the marketplace, reaching commercialization goals, and achieving the impact of innovative technologies. FLC works through providing resources, education and training, tools, and services.

Small Business Administration 

The SBA has many resources for starting a business, such as a learning center, acquiring SBA loans and grants, information on government contracts,resources by business type and locations, and the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program.

Video Course: Marketing 101 – Defines marketing and describes its role in your business. Offered by SBA. Includes creating a marketing plan, identifying and researching your target market, defining products and services, marketing strategy, social media, measuring success.

Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program)

Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program – One-year funding from NIH to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards.

First Flight Venture Center, a science and technology incubator in Research Triangle Park, NC was the recipient of a 2019 FAST award, to deepen their grant-readiness support for early-stage companies to developed SBIR/STTR proposals and to include NC under-represented science-focused companies in their grant-writing support (Lift-Off). Read More.

Examples of Successful Women Scientist Entrepreneurs

Inspiration from Successful Women Entrepreneurs

Lusinca Camras – Camras Vision SBIR Phase II: Adjustable Eye Pressure Control within an External Shunt

Kristy Hawkins – Antheia Inc. SBIR Phase II: A complete bioprocess for medicinal plant opioids

Gloria Kolb – Elidah, Inc. SBIR Phase II: Novel Treatment for Stress Urinary Incontinence

Kathryn Kosuda – Vaxess Technologies, Inc. SBIR Phase II: A New Approach to Developing a Heat-stable Rotavirus Vaccine

Mara MacDonald – Cytovale Inc. SBIR Phase II: A Cell Analysis Platform for Low-cost, Rapid Diagnosis of Sepsis Using Microfluidic Technologies

Belinda Pastrana – Protein Dynamic Solutions, LLC. SBIR Phase II: Novel, Accurate and Reproducible Platform for the Developability Assessment of Protein Therapeutics

Christine Santos – Manus Biosynthesis Inc. SBIR Phase II: Development of a low-cost production platform through engineered bacteria for a novel natural acaricide.

  • Spinout Journey – Stories of getting started from 5 British entrepreneurs. Talks about passion, inspiration, and what is needed to get more women involved in entrepreneurship.