Design Studios
Wond’ry Makerspaces available to prototype products and assess use-inspired design
Prototyping
Resources to establish proof of concept, advance new product optimization, and reduce downstream partners’ risk
Ideator Programming
Wond’ry process approach to evaluating and developing ideas that may lead to a new product or company supported by customer discovery
Translation Advice
Consulting programs to develop solutions for corporate, startup, and academic clients
Industry Engagement
Funding from industry to advance existing research through support of new discovery and IP development programs
Triage & Viability Assessment
Initial evaluation of a new venture concept to determine viability, aimed at identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps to be addressed
NSF I-Corps
$50k awards via the NSF I-Corps program to pursue customer discovery for new product ideas facilitated by the Wond’ry
Firestarter Pitches
Quarterly Owen School student pitch competitions and feedback sessions
Pre-seed / De-risking Fund
– Institutional resources to perform key translational experiments to test the viability and application of a fundamental technology
Builder Programming
Wond’ry program to ready aspiring entrepreneurs to launch a new venture and the next step for graduates of the Ideator program
Microgrants
Small Wond’ry awards for STEM-related technology concepts to help identify product opportunities that also enables follow-on NSF funding
Financial Modeling
Tools used to forecast a business’ future financial performance, a necessity for identifying capital needs and raising capital
EIR Programming
Hands on assistance in company readiness and launch from an experienced industry sector-relevant entrepreneur
Educational Formation Programs
Vanderbilt courses that assess technology opportunities and commercialization via a new venture – usually by multi-disciplinary student teams
External Assessment (EAC)
New venture concept pitch to a collection of CTTC-assembled regional investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals to provide feedback, guidance, and engagement
Business Plan Development
Outline of the fundamental aspects of a new venture, including corporate structure, initial products, markets, management, governance, funding needs, and financial projections
Sohr Grants
Annual Owen School awards of $25k to student teams developing and launching new businesses
Alumni Engagement
Leveraging the Vanderbilt rolodex of supportive alumni to evaluate new ventures
IP Licensing & Protection
Transfer of key IP assets to new ventures and development of IP protection strategies
SBIR Assistance
Facilitation and support for drafting and filing SBIR grant applications to federal agencies, often working in tandem with Launch TN and their microgrant and SBIR Match programs
Law Clinic
Law students advising Vanderbilt startup companies on a wide range of corporate legal issues, including employee compensation, partnership negotiations, leasing agreements, and corporate governance
Pitch Deck Development
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Formation / Incorporation
Assistance to company founders and corporate counsel to prepare and file initial incorporation documents, including operating agreements, stockholder agreements, and other key business documents
Launch Incubator
Wond’ry-managed temporary office space for startup companies to co-locate, collaborate, and receive mentorship – part of the Wond’ry Founder Program
Founder Programming
Wond’ry program to help newly formed companies and their founders to plan and grow their ventures, providing workspace, mentorship, and access to business talent and investors
Seed Funding
Vanderbilt initial startup investment in select startups as determined by external investment committee, generally in concert with other seed investors but occasionally standalone
Corporate Governance
Representation on startup boards of directors, or service as observers, for a pre-determined initial period to help startups manage through early challenges and assist with venture investor networking, talent acquisition, and compensation
Brock Center for Applied Innovation
VUMC center formed to accelerate translation of biomedical discoveries and know-how to the public domain through commercialization and industry partnerships
Alumni Engagement
Leveraging the Vanderbilt rolodex of supportive alumni to make connections to investors and strategic partners
Accelerator Services
Research space, workspace, support services, and programming to rapidly advance Vanderbilt startups, as well as introductions to investors and strategic partners
Capital Funding Assistance
Leveraging the Vanderbilt network of venture and seed investors to identify best fit for Vanderbilt new ventures by size of investment, market area, and stage of investment
Inventor Networking & Pitches
Connecting Vanderbilt entrepreneurs with investors to seek financing, obtain feedback on business models, and determine if startups solve problems in the existing markets
Entrepreneur Conferences
Networking opportunities such as the Owen School Center for Entrepreneurship’s annual Vanderbilt Entrepreneurship Conference
Industry Engagement
Funding from industry to advance existing research through support of new discovery, IP development programs, and strategic partnerships for new ventures
Series A Financing
Vanderbilt initial startup investment in select startups as determined by external investment committee, generally in concert with other seed investors but occasionally standalone
Entrepreneur's Club
Wond’ry- and CTTC-sponsored event that promotes networking among Vanderbilt entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs to share experiences, challenges, and contacts