THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH INNOVATION

Entrepreneurship Consultants

The CRI provides targeted assistance to foster the development of Principal Investigators (PIs) into skilled operators of spinout companies. Through the Entrepreneurship Consultants (EC) program, the CRI aids early-stage businesses in establishing valuable connections with potential team members, advisory board members, corporate partners, or funding sources, cultivating meaningful collaborations and opportunities for growth.

Entrepreneurship Consultants (EC) program provide business development guidance and counsel to Northeastern spinout companies from concept to commercialization.

Value

Product and business strategy
Pitch coaching
Marketing & commercialization strategy
Competitive analysis
Investor and market-readiness preparation for:
- Business development and partnerships
- Investor networking
- Deal Review
Technical insights:
- Legal necessities
- Regulatory strategy
- Product design and manufacturability guidance
Introductions to investors and corporations who have strategic interest in early-stage innovations
Minimum time commitment of 20 hours per month per company
Feedback to the CRI on progress against milestones set with spinout

More details

ELIGIBILITY

1. Qualified Spinout

Have completed CRI’s Spinout Readiness Studio
Be incorporated or formed an LLC
Have licensed or optioned IP from Northeastern or will have executed the agreement within 3-months of the match to EC
Submit company materials prepared to outline commercial readiness/business plan/go-to-market strategy
Qualify as deep science or technology (health and life sciences, cleantech, AI/M, Semiconductors)

2. Stage of Spinout

Business lead—Spinout must have a business lead or PI must be ready to engage as business lead
Commercial readiness—technology or suite of technologies must be ready, or almost ready, for corporate or professional capital engagement
- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) must be between 3 and 5, ready to be brought to market with proper backing through a corporate partnership or professional capital
Launch readiness—company must have space secured, or almost secured, outside of lab at Northeastern

3. Mentorship networks

Company / founder / co-founders must have leveraged internal / external mentorship networks (VMN, HSE, etc.) prior to applying for EC engagement, exceptions to requirement considered on a case-by-case basis

4. Funding

Company must have secured commercialization-oriented internal and/or external funding to date (i.e. CRI’s Spark Fund, IDEA’s Gap Fund, America’s Seed Fund-SBIR/STTR, NSF PFI, professional capital etc.)
- - Funding may be non-dilutive or dilutive

5. Commercialization Goals

Company must have a clear plan for major milestones in next 6-9 months

Email [email protected] to confirm your eligibility.

MEET OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONSULTANTS

Melissa Fensterstock

John J. Stamatopoulos

Tracey Dodenhoff

Calvin Smith

Interested in becoming an Entrepreneurship Consultant?

CRITERIA

It is recommended that the EC should plan to dedicate 20 hours per month to each company, with the flexibility to adjust the allocation as required. ECs have the flexibility to work virtually or in-person, and engagement includes meetings, materials review, phone calls and emails. ECs will be required to report on a regular basis the progress of their Spinouts.

QUALIFICATIONS

10-15 years of relevant work experience in science and technology start-ups
Prior science and technology exposure
Prior entrepreneurial experience including venture business evaluation
Experience working with venture capital, corporate, angel networks, family offices, etc.
Ability to navigate across multiple communication platforms
Familiarity with venture databases such as Pitchbook
Experience with NIH, NSF, and other non-dilutive grant mechanisms and applications is preferred
Experience with prior spinouts from academia, accelerators, or other institutions is preferred