Entrepreneurship

Job Description
Entrepreneurship benefits scientists that want to transform their research findings into a product or service. The work can be very diverse depending on the company's business platform and developmental stage. However, it will likely involve acquiring funding, developing a product/service, and marketing your company.

Skills
Understanding of finance, product/service development, marketing, and business strategy
Ability to raise funds through investors, crowdsourcing and/or grants
Expertise in a technology or skill-set to base the company on
Technology transfer skills, including understanding or even writing patents

Types of Positions
Founder or Co-Founder
Often, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Science Officer (CSO).

First Steps
Business Coursework/Research: understanding the logistics of starting, operating, financing and managing a business is crucial for success in this career.
Transferable Post-Doc: research in a field that can be made into products/services could help give you the experience you need to start a company.
Informational Interviews: talking with people who have started their own company can help you determine if this is a good career for you. It could also provide you with valuable connections for when you start up your own company.
Technology Commercialization: talk with the Office for Technology Commercialization for information or an internship. These skills will be invaluable in a lot of fields, including entrepreneurship.

Career Progression
There is not straightforward career progression. Many science entrepreneurs get started by making a discovery that they think could potentially be brought to market. For example, you discover a novel drug target that could slow Alzheimer’s progression. Others are drawn by the high-risk and exciting world of startups, and seek out opportunities to start a company.

Twin Cities Companies

UMN Resources
Office for Technology Commercialization
http://www.research.umn.edu/techcomm/
Entrepreneur Programs/Clubs
http://carlsonschool.umn.edu/faculty-research/gary-s-holmes-center-entrepreneurship/programs-and-clubs-entrepreneurs
New Product Design and Business Development:
http://www.npdbd.umn.edu/
Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrereneurship: http://carlsonschool.umn.edu/faculty-research/gary-s-holmes-center-entrepreneurship
MIN-Corps seminars and courses:
http://mincorps.umn.edu/
http://mincorps.umn.edu/programs

External Resources
The Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship Program
http://www.kauffman.org/what-we-do/programs/entrepreneurship/kauffman-emerging-scholars/kauffman-dissertation-fellowship-program
United States Patent and Trademark Office
http://www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/general-information-concerning-patents
Medical Alley Association
https://medicalalley.org