Banner Default

The International Institute for Biosensing (IIB) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) is proud to start the “Signal to Startup: Transforming Bioinnovation and Sensing Technologies into Successful Venture.” Course Series. 

Transforming scientific discoveries into viable commercial ventures requires more than breakthrough engineering—it requires knowing what your innovation does for end-users, what it is worth, and how to capture that value for your business. Signal to Startup is an expert-led course series designed to guide bioinnovators, researchers, and technical founders through the step-by-step process of turning scientific ideas into scalable business opportunities. 

The first Course in this series that will start in November is “Course 1: Creating and Capturing Value with Bioinnovation and Sensing Technologies.” 

Across eight structured modules, the course covers the mechanics of business strategy, value creation, product trade-offs, pricing models, and intellectual property defense. Each 1-hour session features 45 minutes of expert instruction followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A, giving participants direct access to tailored guidance for their business ideas. Participants can attend live, access recorded sessions on demand, and join dedicated office hours for targeted support.

Course Breakdown

  • Course Introduction & Session 1: Economic Opportunities from BioInnovation and Sensing (11/16) – Identify high-growth market demand and evaluate economic opportunities built on bioinnovation and sensing technologies.

  • Session 2: The Philosopher's Stick – Creating Basic Business Value from Basic Science (11/23) – Bridge the gap between fundamental laboratory science and early-stage business value propositions.

  • Session 3: Increasing Value and Reducing Costs Through Superior Science (12/21) – Use scientific differentiation to maximize performance value while optimizing unit economics and reducing costs.

  • Session 4: Limitations of a Recipe – Causal Ambiguity and Tacit Knowledge (1/25) – Convert unwritten lab expertise and deep technical knowledge into defensible commercial advantages.

  • Session 5: Better, Cheaper, or Both? Tradeoffs in Design of Product Offerings (2/15) – Evaluate critical product design trade-offs to balance performance, cost, and market adoption.

  • Session 6: Value Capture – Pricing, Gainsharing, and Anchor Clients (3/15) – Implement effective pricing models, structure gainsharing agreements, and land initial anchor clients.

  • Session 7: Defense Wins Championships – Guarding IP and Client Relationships for Sustainability (4/12) – Safeguard intellectual property and maintain key client relationships to establish long-term competitive moats.

  • Session 8: It's What You Keep – Translating Product Value into Firm Value (5/10) – Convert product traction and customer adoption into sustainable enterprise value for your company.

 

Course Format & Registration   

Each session is 1 hour:  45-minute expert-led course 15-minute interactive Q&A  

Flexible learning options:  

  • Attend live: Participate in real-time discussions and ask questions specific to your interests, challenges, and business ideas.  
  • Learn at your own pace: Access session recordings and submit questions offline.  
  • Get additional support: Join dedicated office hours for further discussion and guidance.  
  • Stay on track: If you miss a live session, we encourage you to watch its recording before attending the next session to ensure continuity and get the most out of the course.

Try Session 1 for Free! Experience the course firsthand—[claim your spot for the complimentary introductory session Here].

Unlock the Full 8-Session Course Package | $350 Get comprehensive live instruction, recordings, and interactive support. [Enroll in the Full Course Here].

🎓 Finish the course to earn a verified Certificate of Completion & Digital Badge to validate your expertise.