The NCI SBIR Peer Learning and Networking (PLAN) webinar series provides an interactive forum for oncology biotech startups to hear best practices from NCI SBIR standout companies who have achieved success in product development and technology commercialization.
As part of each webinar, participating small businesses share expertise on a specific topic and highlight resources that can support others on their journey from lab to market. The PLAN webinar is delivered in a two-part format: (1) short, pre-recorded panelist presentations that introduce key concepts and experiences, followed by (2) a live virtual Q&A session where attendees can engage directly with speakers.
Part I. Video Recording:
Watch short ~10-minute panelist presentations in advance of the webinar to gain background on the topic and prepare questions.
Part II. Live Virtual Q&A Session:
Join a live interactive session to ask your questions and hear directly from the panelists and the moderating NCI SBIR program director.
This session will explore how entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and startup networks can help scientists grow into biotech leaders and advance their companies and technologies. NCI SBIR-funded founders will share firsthand experiences with entrepreneurial training programs, accelerators, fellowships, mentorship, and startup communities, highlighting how these opportunities shaped their development as entrepreneurs, strengthened company and commercialization strategies, expanded professional and investor networks, and supported fundraising and company growth.
Please find advice videos from each panelist below.
Anu Parvatiyar – CEO & Founder, Ananya Health
Watch this video to learn about:
- Choosing the right entrepreneurial program at the right stage
- Developing as a founder and building company momentum
- Leveraging mentorship and networks for fundraising
- Combining entrepreneurial training with SBIR support
Conor Barth – CEO & Founder, Trace Biosciences
Watch this video to learn about:
- Using entrepreneurial programs to move technology from the lab to clinical trials
- Becoming an expert in the customer, not just the technology
- Leveraging mentorship to identify and address development risks
- Building networks that support fundraising, expertise, and company growth
Kendra Batchelder – CEO & Founder, medara
Watch this video to learn about:
- Using customer discovery to move from scientific research to product development
- Integrating regulatory, reimbursement, and commercialization into technology development
- Leveraging mentors and networks to fill expertise gaps
- Choosing entrepreneurial programs based on your company's stage and needs
Noor Jailkhani – CEO & Co-founder, Matrisome Bio
Watch this video to learn about:
- Moving from scientist to CEO and company builder
- Leveraging mentors and experienced founders to build company capabilities
- Using an incubator ecosystem to accelerate startup growth
- Choosing entrepreneurial programs that fit your company's stage and needs
Previous PLAN Webinars
To access content from previous PLAN series, click on the link below:
- Navigating FDA Pre-Submission Meetings
- Biotech Funding & Entrepreneurial Support in Emerging States
- CEO Perspectives on Launching & Growing Biotech Start-Ups
- How to Write a Strong Commercialization Plan
- Keys to a Successful IND Filing
- First Steps for Starting a Small Business
- Implementing a Quality Management System (QMS)
- How to Write a Good Specific Aims Page
If you have topic suggestions for the PLAN series, please email us at ncisbir@mail.nih.gov.