This Tuesday, BioVentures hosted the kickoff event for the new Cancer and Developing Entrepreneurial Technologies (CADET) program, an NIH-funded initiative designed to equip cancer researchers with the skills needed to move discoveries beyond the laboratory.
CADET supports graduate and post-graduate trainees as they learn how to translate research into products, technologies, and treatments that address real patient needs. The program combines entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and practical tools to help participants navigate the path from scientific insight to potential impact.
Inside the Kickoff Event
The kickoff brought together the inaugural cohort for an introduction to the program’s goals, structure, and expectations for the spring semester. Participants took part in a series of activities designed to build foundational skills and begin thinking about their work through a commercialization lens.
Key elements covered during the session included:
- Overview of the Spring Curriculum: Participants reviewed upcoming modules focused on market analysis, intellectual property protection, regulatory considerations, and preparing pitches for investment or industry engagement.
- Message Box Workshop: The group was introduced to the Message Box, a communication framework that helps researchers explain complex scientific ideas to audiences outside their field.
- Pitch and Flip Exercise: Each trainee articulated the problem their research seeks to solve, followed by brief peer-to-peer pitches designed to strengthen clarity and messaging.
Throughout the session, themes of impact, communication, and translational readiness guided the conversation. The event also highlighted the support structure available to participants, including mentors, subject matter experts, and the BioVentures team.
Stay Informed
BioVentures will share updates on future CADET opportunities as the program expands. Those interested in receiving information about upcoming cohorts can subscribe to the BioVentures newsletter.
The post CADET Program Launches with First Cohort at BioVentures first appeared on Bioventures.