BOOT CAMP OVERVIEW

Penn Health-Tech (PHT) hosts a strategic innovation education program (known as the Health-Tech Accelerator “Boot Camp”), teaching the basics of commercialization of technologies developed in academic settings, with application to your specific project. The goal of the Boot Camp is to support the development of a high-quality translational proposal and pitch for funding consideration by PHT and other future partners.  

Expectations: Enrollment in the Boot Camp is optional for teams that are invited to submit a full proposal to PHT. However, if teams decide to enroll in the Boot Camp, participation is mandatory, including committing to sending a team representative to each session. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

The Boot Camp provides a streamlined, pitch-focused curriculum. Teams will participate in an opening session on commercialization evaluation, then engage in a structured monthly pitch deck development process — receiving iterative coaching and peer feedback throughout the Spring. The program culminates in an in-person practice pitch in March.

In addition to these sessions, teams are strongly encouraged to attend Health Tech Huddles — a series of seminars offered throughout the Spring covering key topics in health technology commercialization  — and participate in the Penn I-Corps program. 

TIME & LOCATION  

• Commercialization Evaluation Overview, December 9, 3:30 to 5:00 PM
• Pitch Deck Development, Session 1, January 20, 3:30 to 6:30 PM
• Pitch Deck Development, Session 2, February 17, 3:30 to 6:30 PM
• Practice Pitch Presentations, March 17, 3:30 to 6:30 PM
  

BOOT CAMP OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the Boot Camp, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the key criteria by which health technology innovations are evaluated for commercial potential, including market opportunity, clinical need, IP, regulatory considerations, and reimbursement landscape.
2. Develop and iteratively refine a compelling pitch deck that clearly articulates the unmet need, proposed solution, business opportunity, and development plan.
3. Communicate their innovation effectively through structured pitch practice, peer feedback, and engagement with the PHT team.
4. Optional, but highly recommended: Apply foundational principles of customer discovery to validate assumptions about clinical need, stakeholder requirements, and market opportunity

KEY DELIVERABLES OF THE BOOT CAMP  

1. Pitch Deck: developed iteratively throughout the program using a provided template, addressing: the clinical need, the solution, the business opportunity, and the development/commercialization plan.