Past Idea to Industry Seminars

Learn to engage investors and build financial momentum, whether you're seeking your first investment or scaling your funding strategy. This seminar, led by Deborah Hemingway, PhD, guides you in navigating investor relations and securing startup funding.

Innovation’s impact begins with strong intellectual property protection. Led by Vincent Carbone, J.D., this session guides faculty, students, and entrepreneurs through the patent landscape, highlighting Johns Hopkins’ support from technology transfer to commercialization.

As federal funding declines, competition for state funding will intensify. This in-depth session led by MII Executive Director, Abi Kulshreshtha, PhD will cover two of the state’s most powerful early-stage innovation support programs, detailing funding pathways, eligibility criteria, and key tips for navigating the application process.

A high-level overview of the venture capital ecosystem while learning about current trends in the market and how it impacts investors. Led by Brian Meltzer, this session delves into various types of investments including preferred stock, convertible promissory notes, SAFE, common stock, and KISS. He also discusses term sheets and the crucial role of law firms in the formation of startup companies, particularly in angel and VC raises. 

Securing funding from investors starts with a well-crafted pitch. Led by Kirsten Leute from Osage University Partners (OUP), this session provides comprehensive knowledge on all aspects of pitching including how to approach potential investors, create a pitch deck, and effectively pitch your startup or technology.

Costly financial mistakes often threaten the growth and survival of startups. In this session, Pam Chelden, Sandy Hart, and Sarah Sedlak from the SC&H Group discuss common missteps and provide guidance on building a strong financial foundation that appeals to investors, banks, and grant-making agencies.

Power up your venture with a practical seminar on structuring your startup. From entity formation and co-founder dynamics to early IP strategies and licenses, this session led by Elke Trilla from Wilson Sonsini provides actionable insights for launching or refining your venture including building your initial cap table.

Effectively engaging with the FDA is a critical step for any innovator to bring a life-science product to market. Led by Laura Rose, PhD, this session demystifies the FDA, help you map your regulatory path to market, and explore partnerships with Contract Research Organizations (CROs).

Securing non-dilutive funding is essential for startups looking to scale without giving up ownership. Led by Jon Nelson of BioHealth Innovation, this session explores SBIR, STTR, and SBTG grants, offering practical guidance on eligibility, timelines, and submission strategies to help companies succeed with agencies like NIH, NSF, and ARPA-H.

Early HR decisions can create lasting risk if handled poorly and enable growth if handled well. Led by Blair Slaughter of Delve Consulting, who has worked with multiple exited startups, this seminar explores common HR pitfalls of early-stage companies and provides insights and guidance that can be immediately applied.

The following slides and notes from Ian Grant's presentation break down how to move from vague audiences to clearly defined customers you can reach. Review for practical frameworks that can apply immediately to strengthen product-market fit, sharpen messaging, and make smarter commercialization decisions earlier.

Securing funding is only part of the equation. Understanding the capital landscape, choosing the right funding instruments, and engaging investors strategically can shape your venture’s trajectory. In this extended 90-minute session, Keith Winter, Partner at Teal Ventures, shares practical insights from corporate development, acquisitions, and angel investing experience. He will break down how early-stage companies raise capital, what different types of investors look for, and how founders can position themselves for successful fundraising conversations.

Early-stage capital can be the catalyst that transforms promising research into a high-growth venture. In this session, Teddy Gresser, Senior Director of Seed Funds, will provide an inside look at the funds within TEDCO’s portfolio, how they deploy capital, and how founders and innovators can position themselves for investment. Watch to gain practical insight into how TEDCO evaluates opportunities, eligibility requirements for seed funding, and what entrepreneurs can expect during the application process.

Access to the right incentives can play a critical role in advancing research and attracting investment. In this session, Jason Sobel of the Maryland Department of Commerce will provide a clear overview of the Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit (BIITC), including what it is, who qualifies, and how to apply. Watch to gain practical insight into recent legislative updates impacting the program, along with a brief look at related opportunities such as opportunity zone enhancements and the research and development tax credit.