SUNY Startup Summer School
SUNY Startup Summer School provides faculty, students, and staff with the knowledge and networks that will enable them to commercialize breakthrough technology.
Enrollment closed May 22, 2020
SUNY Startup Summer School (S4) offers virtual accelerated entrepreneurial education and training for participants to help them secure the initial funding needed to get their technology to market.
Depending on their experience, S4 participants will receive the following support:
• Accelerated Innovation Corps (I-Corps) training delivered by experienced coaches from National Science Foundation I-Corps Sites and Nodes throughout the country.
• Access to instructional webinars that provide the foundation of knowledge and learning aspiring entrepreneurs and new ventures need to be successful.
• Proposal development support from experts with successful track records in helping research teams and startups secure grants and other non-dilutive funding.
• Customized follow-on training, mentoring, and networking opportunities that are provided in a just-in-time format based on each participant’s needs and traction.
Depending on their experience, S4 participants will receive the following support:
• Accelerated Innovation Corps (I-Corps) training delivered by experienced coaches from National Science Foundation I-Corps Sites and Nodes throughout the country.
• Access to instructional webinars that provide the foundation of knowledge and learning aspiring entrepreneurs and new ventures need to be successful.
• Proposal development support from experts with successful track records in helping research teams and startups secure grants and other non-dilutive funding.
• Customized follow-on training, mentoring, and networking opportunities that are provided in a just-in-time format based on each participant’s needs and traction.
Curriculum
June 3
Entrepreneurship 101
What It Takes To Commercialize Your Tech
What It Takes To Commercialize Your Tech
Felix Litvinsky, Abakama
Nicholas Querques, SUNY Research Foundation
Nicholas Querques, SUNY Research Foundation
June 10
Lean LaunchPad Basics
What Is Customer Discovery All About?
What Is Customer Discovery All About?
Olga Petrova, Binghamton University
Tony Frontera, Binghamton University
Tony Frontera, Binghamton University
June 17
Evaluation Of The Opportunity
Patentability and Marketability Basics
Patentability and Marketability Basics
Tanya Waite, SUNY Research Foundation
Steven Wood, SUNY Research Foundation
Garrett Smith, SUNY Research Foundation
Michael Krenicky, SUNY Research Foundation
Steven Wood, SUNY Research Foundation
Garrett Smith, SUNY Research Foundation
Michael Krenicky, SUNY Research Foundation
June 24
SBIR/STTR 101
Intro and Proposal Preparation Process
Intro and Proposal Preparation Process
Kate Baker, Albany Small Business Development Center
Jaron Kuppers, Amala Consulting
Jaron Kuppers, Amala Consulting
July 1
How To Win Grants
Mastering Non-Dilutive Funding Sources
Mastering Non-Dilutive Funding Sources
Kirk Macolini, InteliSpark
July 8
Grant Budget Basics
Managing Your Award Like A Pro
Managing Your Award Like A Pro
Jaron Kuppers, Amala ConsultingJar
July 15
The Startup Journey In A COVID-19 World
Adapting and Leveraging Opportunities
Adapting and Leveraging Opportunities
Richard Uhlig, Quadrant Biosciences
Jason Salfi, Dimensional Energy
Nicholas Querques, SUNY Research Foundation
Jason Salfi, Dimensional Energy
Nicholas Querques, SUNY Research Foundation
July 22
A Day In The Life Of A Program Manager
The Key To Their Heart
The Key To Their Heart
Henry Ahn, National Science Foundation
July 29
Forming and Structuring Your Company Like A Boss
Rich Honen, Phillips Lytle
August 5
Commercialization 101
Positioning Your Go-To-Market Strategy
Positioning Your Go-To-Market Strategy
Doug Buerkle, LTM Ventures
August 12
NYSTAR and SUNY Resources To Help You Get There
Emily Ekland, NYSTAR / Empire State Development
August 19
Follow-On Capital Sources
What Early-Stage Investors Want
What Early-Stage Investors Want
Thomas Blum, New York Angels
David Cruikshank, ARCH Venture Partners
David Cruikshank, ARCH Venture Partners
August 24 - August 28
1:1 Office Hours With SUNY Venture Advisors
September 2
Demo Day and Graduation
NSF I-Corps Regional Course was offered to select participants June 29-July 2, July 7, July 14, and July 21.
Success Stories
Awarded $750k
National Science Foundation
STTR Phase II
National Science Foundation
STTR Phase II
Awarded $1.5M
Department of Energy
SBIR Phase II
Department of Energy
SBIR Phase II
Testimonials
Jennifer Manganello
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
Professor, School of Public Health
Professor, School of Public Health
"Learning the basics - the lingo and the process - was very interesting. I learned how to prepare a business thesis, articulate value, and create a business model canvas. Listening to the other presentations was also extremely helpful."
Scott Tenenbaum
SUNY Polytechnic institute
Professor, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Professor, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
“ZAP! helps make the point that understanding what the customer needs is key to creating a viable commercial company. It is important to get out of the academic bubble and get honest feedback from real people who may actually use your product. Hearing that your assumptions may be wrong, and then learning how to take that advice is more valuable than anything else a new entrepreneur can learn.”
David Logan
SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE
GRADUATE
GRADUATE
“The market-based approach of the business canvas makes a lot of sense. The support this program offers is incredibly helpful, I especially appreciate the direct feedback.”
Team
S4 is led by a close-knit team of passionate professionals who are working together with SUNY’s campuses and partners to build a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem. They wake up every morning ready to crush it for the innovators they serve and truly believe entrepreneurship is a viable career path for SUNY students.
Nicholas Querques
Startup founder/advisor, tecH to market master, company builder
Tanya Waite
Partnerships pro, dot connector extraordinaire, trusted startup mentor
Matthew Mroz
Technology transfer whiz, SUNY system sherpa, operations aficionado
Jessica Updyke
Marketing guru, professional storyteller, communications jedi
Renee Hancox
office maven,task master, jill of all trades
Heather Hage
TECH COMMERCIALIZATION EXPERT, EARLY-STAGE INVESTOR, ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADER
Contact
Got a question or comment to send our way?
The best way to get in touch is to email us at [email protected].
We read every message and do our best to respond quickly.
The best way to get in touch is to email us at [email protected].
We read every message and do our best to respond quickly.