EXFOMD 2302 - SMART CREATE Entrepreneurship Workshop
Course Description
The Entrepreneurial Workshop is focused on entrepreneurship and commercialization in the field of sensorimotor, adaptive and rehabilitation technologies. Workshop themes develop knowledge and skills for the modern, health technology workplace and are informed by industry and academic leaders who have created successful enterprises. A particular focus is on developing an understanding of the ingredients for success in growing an idea from the discovery phase in an academic setting to a successful and impactful product in an enterprise setting.
Who Should Take This Course?
This Entrepreneurial Workshop is designed for graduate students and early-to mid-career professionals interested in entrepreneurship and commercialization in the health technology sector, particularly those working with sensorimotor, adaptive, and rehabilitation technologies.
Learning Objectives
By the end the Entrepreneurship Workshop sessions, participants will be able to:
- 🗸 Understand entrepreneurship as a collaborative, network-driven process from academic discovery to enterprise success.
- 🗸 Apply critical and practical thinking to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and explore diverse career pathways in health technology.
- 🗸 Differentiate between startup and corporate entrepreneurship, and use tools for effective ideation and innovation strategy.
- 🗸 Develop essential soft skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience, and negotiation for interdisciplinary collaboration.
- 🗸 Utilize Lean UX and Design Thinking to support participatory problem-solving and pitch product ideas confidently.
- 🗸 Gain foundational knowledge of venture development, business planning, and startup operations including market fit, customer discovery, and financial planning.
- 🗸 Recognize the roles of different organizational structures (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, social enterprise) and access entrepreneurship resources within the University and broader ecosystem.
Notes
To register, applicants will be prompted during checkout to complete the short Student Verification & Eligibility Course Approval. After the submission has been reviewed, applicants will receive an email with instructions to proceed with payment.
The workshop features a blend of instructional sessions, guest speaker presentations, and interactive panel discussions. Participants will be presented with a "wicked challenge", prompting each team to collaborate in breakout groups to conceptualize an innovative product or service. Throughout the workshop, teams will iteratively refine their ideas, culminating in a final pitch presentation delivered to a judging panel.
Assessment and Evaluation:
Each team’s Innovation Pitch will be assessed based on ten key criteria, including:
- 🗸Credibility
- 🗸Clarity of Mission
- 🗸Branding
- 🗸Investment Potential
- 🗸Storytelling
- 🗸Teamwork
- 🗸Use of Inclusive Language
- 🗸Content Quality
- 🗸Presentation Design and Delivery
- 🗸Q&A Engagement
The evaluation emphasizes both the innovation itself and the team’s communication and collaboration skills.
Each team will be guided by a dedicated facilitator who supports their development throughout the workshop and provides feedback on individual contributions.