Neurotechnology Ventures

[Class Content]   [Fall 2014]  [Fall 2013]  [Fall 2011]  [Fall 2010]  [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: Thursdays, 2-4pm
Place: E14-525

Description

Special seminar focusing on the challenges of envisioning, planning, and building start-ups that are commercializing innovations from neuroscience and the blossoming domain of neuroengineering. Topics include neuroimaging and diagnostics, psychophysiology, rehab feedback, affective computing, neurotherapeutics, surgical tools, neuropharmaceuticals, deep brain stimulation, prosthetics and neurobionics, artificial senses, nerve regeneration, and more. Each class is devoted to a specific topic area. The first hour covers the topic in survey form. The second hour is dedicated to a live case study of a specific organization. A broad spectrum of issues, from the deeply technical through market opportunity, is explored in each class.

Limited Enrollment -- Please email [email protected] two paragraphs summarizing your: (1) Professional Skills & Experience, and (2) Inventive/Entrepreneurial Aspirations.
 

Schedule



Thu., Sept. 6 Overview of the state of neurotechnology.

Overview of the class, case studies and team projects.

How to succeed at the class.

Class alumni presentations: personal stories, and how to benefit from the class.

Introductions.

Instructor 1-minute elevator pitches.
 


Thu., Sept. 13 GUEST PANEL: Clinicians. The big needs in neurology, psychiatry, and neurosurgery.

Panel members: Emery Brown, MD, PhD; Daniel Lee, MD; Liz Lawson, MD; Joshua Aronson, MD.
 


Thu., Sept. 20 1-minute elevator pitches by class members.

Teambuilding.

"How to Think" and "Curating Innovation" - getting resources, researching, collaborating, synthesizing.
 


Thu., Sept. 27 GUEST SPEAKER: Sebastian Seung.

Title: Eyewire.
 


Thu., Oct. 4 GUEST SPEAKER: Kiran Reddy, Interim Head of Business Development and Operations, Sage Therapeutics.

Title: Sage Therapeutics.
 


Thu., Oct. 11 No class (Society for Neuroscience Meeting).

Informal office hours: resources: legal, financial, fundraising, networking, the Boston community, the global neurotechnology community.
 


Thu., Oct. 18 Midterm presentations: the 6-slide presentations.

Other class members will serve as critics and write evaluations, peer-review style.
 


Thu., Oct. 25 No class (MIT Sloan SIP Week)

Informal office hours: resources: legal, financial, fundraising, networking, the Boston community, the global neurotechnology community.
 


Thu., Nov. 1 VC/Investor panel.

Panel members: Hemai Parthasarathy, Thiel Foundation; Jonathan Behr, Enlight; James McLaughlin, Third Rock Ventures.
 


Thu., Nov. 8 GUEST SPEAKER: Eve Phillips.

Title: Empower Interactive.
 


Thu., Nov. 15 GUEST SPEAKER: Todd Huffman

Title: 3scan.
 


Thu., Nov. 29 GUEST SPEAKER: TBD, TBD.

Title: TBD.
 


Thu., Dec. 6 Final presentations by each team.

Final 2-page executive summaries due today too.

Neurotechnology Entrepreneurship Panel will be present to provide feedback.

Panel members: Xue Han, PhD, Boston University; Alain Hanover, Boston CommonAngels; Steven Schachter, MD, CIMIT and Harvard Medical School.