Neurotechnology Ventures

[Class Content]   [Fall 2014]  [Fall 2013]  [Fall 2012]  [Fall 2011]  [Fall 2009]  [Fall 2008]  [Spring 2007]  

MIT Course Numbers: 9.455 ~ 15.128 ~ 20.454 ~ MAS.883
Instructors: J. Bonsen ~ E.S. Boyden ~ R.G. Ellis-Behnke
Units: H-level ~ 2-0-7 Units
Time: Tuesdays, 2-4pm
Place: E14-525

Description

Neurotechnology Ventures is a seminar and project-oriented course on the challenges of envisioning, planning, and building startups to bring neuroengineering innovations to the world. A typical 2-hour class begins with either a survey of a broad topic area, or a live-case study of a current, specific, development or commercialization effort in that area, followed by a class exercise or resource learning event. Explorations will cover a broad array of issues ranging from the deeply technical, to the analysis of market realities. Topics Include: Neuroimaging, Neurology/Psychiatry Diagnosis, Rehabilitation, Neurosurgery, Neuropharmacology, Brain Stimulation, Prosthetics, Sensory and Motor Augmentation, Regenerative Neuromedicine, and more.

Limited Enrollment - Email [email protected] two paragraphs summarizing your: (1) Professional Skills & Experience, and (2) Inventive/Entrepreneurial Aspirations, on or before first class day.

Student Project - Students will work in teams to analyze an opportunity and create an elevator pitch, and a business plan executive summary and final presentation, aimed at commercially meeting a need through neurotechnology. The project will develop throughout the term, with multiple reviews, and culminating in a final presentation. We expect that some projects may go on to become successful ventures.
 

Schedule



Tues., Sept. 14 Overview of the state of neurotechnology.

Overview of the class, case studies and team projects.

Introductions.

Instructor 1-minute elevator pitches.
 


Tues., Sept. 21 GUEST PANEL: Clinicians. The big needs in neurology, psychiatry, and neurosurgery. Emad Eskandar, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, and Carl Marci.
 


Tues., Sept. 28 1-minute elevator pitches by class members.
 


Tues., Oct. 5 GUEST SPEAKER: Tim Marzullo, Backyard Brains.
 


Tues., Oct. 12 GUEST PANEL: Leading venture capitalists in the life sciences and neurotechnology. Katherine Moorgat, MDV; Mikhail Shapiro, Third Rock; Andrew Miller, Puretech.
 


Tues., Oct. 19 GUEST SPEAKER: Shai Gozani, Neurometrix.
 


Tues., Oct. 26 GUEST SPEAKER: Dan DiLorenzo, Neurosurgery Resident, UTMB; Founder, NeuroVista and Barinetics.
TITLE: NeuroVentures: A war story behind the founding of NeuroVista (f.k.a. BioNeuronics) - Conceptualization to commercialization of a novel technology to treat Epilepsy
 


Tues., Nov. 2 GUEST SPEAKER: Frank Reynolds, In Vivo Therapeutics
 


Tues., Nov. 9 Midterm presentations.
 


Tues., Nov. 16 2-page executive summary, first draft due.
 


Thurs., Nov. 18 (note special day/time, Thursday 2-3PM) GUEST SPEAKER: Donna Dubinsky, Numenta.
 


Tues., Nov. 23 GUEST SPEAKER: TBD
 


Tues., Nov. 30 GUEST SPEAKER: Greg Hyver, BCINet.
 


Tues., Dec. 7 Final presentations by each team. Final 2-page executive summaries due today too.