Business of Biotech Programming and Mentorship
Business of Biotech
Companies located in HudsonAlpha’s ecosystems in Huntsville or Dothan can take advantage of the commercialization support provided by the Economic Development team. Programs are tailored to each location. If you are interested in learning more about how you can take advantage of this support, reach out to the economic development teams in each location.
Programs in Huntsville
Connect with us to join the HudsonAlpha ecosystem and take advantage of these programs and more!
Science on Tap
Associate Company Lunch
HudsonAlpha Hangout
Vendor Expos
HudsonAlpha Research Seminars
Programs in The Wiregrass
Wiregrass Innovation Network
Founder’s Roadmap Bootcamp Series
Business Lifecycle Support
HudsonAlpha Navigate is a business mentorship program for entrepreneurs at the Institute in north Alabama, and in the Wiregrass region who want to sharpen their business plan, management skills and receive confidential, unbiased advice on their business’s strategy. Modeled after MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service, Navigate is a team mentoring program with volunteer mentors from various organizations who are passionate about transferring knowledge to entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs receive in-person team mentoring focused on the entrepreneur and their specific needs to start or grow their business. Navigate has a network of Mentors: CEOs, serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and subject matter experts.
- Confidential and conflict-free environment for the entrepreneur
- Practical, actionable advice for short-term goals/challenges
- Operations handled by HudsonAlpha staff
- Mentors that are driven to support entrepreneurship & diversify the economy
Interested in taking your life sciences business to the next level with guidance from local business leaders?
Apply to join the HudsonAlpha campus and sign up for the mentorship program here!
Who can apply?
Currently, the program is open to all HudsonAlpha Associate Companies in Huntsville and the Wiregrass region of the state. We hope to open the program up to more entrepreneurs in the future.
Who are the Navigate Mentors?
Our mentors are serial entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, subject-matter experts, and local investors passionate about developing entrepreneurial talent in North Alabama and the Wiregrass.
What is unique about HudsonAlpha’s Navigate program?
Navigate is a team mentoring program, giving entrepreneurs a diverse perspective to their most pressing business challenges. Navigate is also part of the MIT Venture Mentoring Service network.
Confidentiality?
The program is completely confidential. Entrepreneurs and mentors adhere to a statement of principles that requires confidentiality and removes conflict from the mentoring setting.
How does it work?
Think of the Navigate Mentors as a conflict-free board of directors who are solely interested in your success and growth as an entrepreneur. With Navigate, we curate targeted teams of mentors for each entrepreneur and coordinate regular mentoring sessions that focus on your real-time, short-term and long-term strategic needs.
Can I pick my mentor?
No. The program managers work with entrepreneurs to identify their areas of need and assign mentors based on subject matter expertise. Entrepreneurs are able to submit feedback after each mentoring session on the performance of the mentoring team.
Are you an experienced business professional in north Alabama or Wiregrass interested in mentoring bioscience startups?
Apply now to provide mentoring to support the advancement of innovative technologies through real-world guidance and connectivity conducted in a confidential and conflict-free environment.
As a mentor, what is my time commitment?
Mentors are required to attend a monthly mentors-only meeting and at least one mentoring session every 4-6 weeks. The mentors-only meetings feature interesting speakers and guests with global expertise in life science company development, venture capital, and industry trends.
Is there a cost, or do you take equity?
There is no cost or equity commitment associated with the program.
How do you protect my idea?
Entrepreneurs are protected by confidentiality clauses that are agreed upon through our Statement of Principles.
What happens after I apply?
Currently, we are only accepting entrepreneurs who are located at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville and the Wiregrass. To learn more about if you qualify, please email mentor@hudsonalpha.org.
I am interested in being a mentor, how do I apply?
We’re always looking for talented mentors who want to serve biotechnology entrepreneurs. Please email mentor@hudsonalpha.org if you’d like to learn more about becoming a mentor.