PROPEL Coaching

This core PROPEL program helps life sciences entrepreneurs refine their business strategies through one-on-one and group coaching led by accomplished business professionals and serial life sciences entrepreneurs.

The culmination of this coaching is at a formal panel presentation, when the entrepreneur presents his or her refined business model and financial strategy to an interdisciplinary group of experts who provide critiques and feedback in many areas, such as funding strategies, business development, marketing, finance, investment, and law. Coaching and panel sessions may result in strategies for improving the technology, product, business opportunity, market, management, intellectual property, or financing.

The benefits of the final panel presentation are:

Rapid collective assessment from a variety of expert perspectives
A safe setting for constructive criticism of the entrepreneur’s plan
A short list of actionable next steps

PROPEL Coaches

PROPEL Coaches are successful life sciences entrepreneurs and business professionals. Their accomplishments may include leading companies through venture financing, bringing companies public, growing companies to the point where they are acquired, bringing products to market, or progressing through the final stages of FDA approval.

PROPEL Coaches will:

Attend the initial strategy session, setting goals and milestones with the PROPEL entrepreneur
Advise the PROPEL entrepreneur on specific weaknesses in his or her business plan over two to five months
Prepare for the panel presentation, including at least one in-person trial run
Attend the final panel presentation
Help entrepreneur understand panel feedback and recommend next steps

Panel Presentation

The participant should be prepared to pitch business to a group of six to twelve interdisciplinary industry experts. The presentation should be no longer than 15 to 20 minutes, with ample time for a Q&A session. The presentation should incorporate key sound bites with a maximum of 12-14 slides. Back-up slides should address anticipated panel questions during the Q&A session. The presentation must:

Clearly articulate the company story
Create excitement about the company
Elicit feedback from the panel to make the best use of the collective panel experience

Coaching Process

Phase I

Entrepreneur submits PROPEL application
PROPEL staff interview applicant, including entrepreneur coachability, technological focus and viability, company location

Phase II

Coach is assigned
Initial strategy session with coach, participant and PROPEL staff

Phase III

Milestone meeting sessions with coach
Scheduling and preparation for final panel presentation
Final panel presentation and feedback
Evaluation and follow-up