Pitt Ventures Startup Academy

The Pitt Ventures Startup Academy is a program for Pitt innovators who have a goal of creating a startup in 12-18 months. Through the Startup Academy we ensure ongoing support for your startup goals by leveraging and harnessing the immense capabilities and resources within our office.

Eligibility

  • University of Pittsburgh faculty, staff and/or students working on proprietary Pitt technologies
  • It is strongly recommended that prior to applying applicants successfully complete an NSF I-Corps short course.
  • Interested in building a startup and ensuring its long-term viability.
  • Items that should already be in place and ready for review prior to applying are the following:
    • established intellectual property protection
    • current marketing briefs
    • documented customer interview diaries
    • an up-to-date pitch deck

Pitt Ventures Startup Academy Multiethnic modern business team developing their commercialization process.

Led by startup experts and self-paced

Pitt Ventures Startup Academy

 Tailored to your needs around your technology

What to Expect:

  • A personalized curriculum structured around milestone-based achievements for your technology. Although the program allows for flexible timing, it is anticipated that participants will complete it within a 12-18 month period.
  • An in-depth evaluation of your business concept, intellectual property, marketing briefs, team make-up, fundraising strategy, and more. These items will be used to kick off the opportunity discussion and assessment and put together plans for moving forward.
  • Led by startup experts who understand the challenges of academic entrepreneurship. This program provides continuous support for your commercialization objectives by utilizing and tapping into the vast capabilities and resources of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) and external specialists in regulatory affairs, fundraising, and startup formation and growth.

Syllabus:

Focus: Background Work Evaluation and Discussion
Desired Outcome: Review of I-Corps materials and ID of gaps

Focus: BMC Update and Gap Definition
Desired Outcome: Update BCM details and define important gaps

Focus: BMC Update and Gap Definition
Desired Outcome: Complete detailed BCM (no gaps)

Focus: Business Plan Development – The Company and Product
Desired Outcome: Begin development of Business Plan Module with focus on specific company offering

Focus: Business Plan Development – Operations and Finance
Desired Outcome: Complete development of Business Plan Module with focus on operations and finances

Focus: Choosing the Appropriate External Support Team
Desired Outcome: Evaluation of existing team and role definitions & gaps moving forward

Focus: Team Building
Desired Outcome: Team skill acquisition strategy based on gaps identified in Module 5

Focus: Fundraising
Desired Outcome: Developing required materials for fundraising (VC identification, Pitch Deck, Dry Runs)

Focus: Technology License
Desired Outcome: Negotiation and execution of license or option agreement. Preparation and execution of COI to obtain approval.

Focus: Incorporation
Desired Outcome: Options for incorporation and acquiring appropriate legal resources.

Focus: Equity and Other Financial Considerations
Desired Outcome: Equity distribution and detailed financials for equity raise

Focus: Leaving the University Orbit
Planning for operations outside the University.
Desired Outcome: Identification of ongoing needed external resources.

Contact

Tony Torres

Entrepreneur in Residence
atorres@innovation.pitt.edu

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