OEI Is Holding a Call for Ideas for The New Sprout Program

In 2015, CHOP strengthened its commitment to innovation development by creating the Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (OEI). The vision was to bring business process, product development expertise, and leadership to identify and support the development and commercialization of CHOP research. In this short time OEI has had several successes in commercializing promising research; however, we have only scratched the surface in terms of our potential to impact pediatric healthcare.

At this point, based on our own experience and efforts at other peer research institutions, OEI is building on our legacy “SPRINT” model and announcing the new OEI – Sprout Program. This announcement is part of a broader CHOP Innovation Ventures initiative which will be developed with our new CSO and CFO. More details regarding the Innovation Ventures initiative will be communicated over the coming months.

The new OEI - Sprout Program is designed to focus on CHOP innovation with the potential to impact pediatric healthcare through commercialization. The OEI - Sprout Program and this Call for Ideas seek CHOP technologies including new drug targets or platforms, therapeutic devices, digital health/software solutions or other projects that have high impact potential and are commercially attractive.

Applications are currently open and will close on April 12, 2021 at 11:59 PM.

The OEI - Sprout Program will pursue projects that meet the following criteria:

• Impact to pediatric healthcare
• Commercial potential
• Ability to develop intellectual property
• Achievable next milestone or exit strategy
• Motivated team

This initial project funding, up to a $50,000 tranche (with potential for additional tranches), is designed to support short-term projects (~6-9 months) to advance promising technologies to a next technical/commercial decision point.

All CHOP and Research Institute faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for funding and business support with innovative pediatric-related ideas including:

• Potential new or improved drug therapeutics or platforms
• New medical devices
• Digital health/software solutions

If selected, the OEI team will work with the innovator team and external experts to help create a plan for research and commercialization, including a development strategy, prototype development, engineering and testing, project-level capital investment, formal assessment of commercial potential, IP creation strategy, and related activities to advance the project toward the next commercial decision point.

Application Details

OEI's Call for Ideas Applications are currently open and will close on April 12, 2021 at 11:59 pm.

Visit https://app.zapflow.com/webentry/eptub2tsyiwywa9psyeq to apply.