Conductor, UAMS, BioVentures, and Arkansas INBRE collaborate to host innovation sprint for undergraduate and graduate-level students around the state.
CONWAY—Conductor, BioVentures, UAMS, and Arkansas INBRE are collaborating for the sixth year to host a weeklong sprint for undergraduate and graduate students from across the state of Arkansas. Formerly known as the Health Science Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, the Healthcare Innovation Sprint will take place May 14-18, 2023.
The Healthcare Innovation Sprint will guide students through an immersive training program in which they learn about healthcare innovation, how to identify potential problems, talk to key stakeholders and customers to gather information, and develop solutions. The sprint creates entrepreneurial and interactive learning opportunities for students and guides them through the entrepreneurial processes of starting a venture with their peers.
“The Healthcare Innovation Sprint is one of our flagship programs. We’ve seen participants go on to start companies, win state and national business plan competitions, and redirect their careers into healthcare, healthcare innovation, and entrepreneurship.”, said Jeff Standridge, Managing Director of the Conductor.
At the 2022 camp, 4 teams identified healthcare problems with industry experts, completed customer discovery at Conway Regional Health System to better understand the problem, and designed solutions centered on the issues and needs of the key stakeholders. Students are exposed to over 70 presenters, experts, and mentors throughout the camp.
Dr. Kevin Sexton of UAMS shared, “I wish the Healthcare Innovation Sprint program existed when I was in training. The Conductor in partnership with BioVentures, UAMS, and Arkansas INBRE has designed an exceptional program to give students a practical education in healthcare innovation. In one week, students will have learned how to move from idea to execution. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I encourage anyone interested in healthcare or innovation to apply.”
“I loved the way the sprint brought together different majors and school levels because it helped foster real-world collaboration and greater perspective. Hearing from actual health care workers was also extremely valuable and felt like a real privilege”, said a 2022 sprint participant.
Alumni have received numerous awards in entrepreneurship; many have changed career paths and/or pursued entrepreneurial initiatives due to the sprint experience. Two student teams that graduated from the 2017 camp went on to compete in the 2017 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup collegiate business plan competition. One team won the first-place prize of $25,000, and the other won the Undergraduate Innovation Award at the competition. Overall, four alumni have established new healthcare startup companies in Arkansas. An alumni team also participated in the Regional I-Corps program in Austin, TX, following the sprint.
The lodging, food, and programming are at no cost for accepted students and are funded through Arkansas INBRE, BioVentures, and the Conductor. Students are accepted from a diversity of backgrounds and majors. Eligible students must complete at least their sophomore year of college at the time of the sprint and be a student from an Arkansas college or university. Space permitting, spots may be available for immediate graduates and graduate or doctoral students.
The week-long camp will conclude with a Demo Day on May 18, 2023 starting at 5:30 pm at the Arnold Innovation Center during which the public is invited to attend virtually as the teams present their new venture ideas.
The application period begins on January 24, 2023, and candidates may find more information and apply at arconductor.org/sprint. The early consideration deadline for the Camp is March 27, 2023. All other applications are due by April 24, 2023.
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