Program Overview
The Emory Innovation Certificate Program is an 8-month, hands-on biomedical innovation program designed to help participants translate healthcare and research ideas into real-world solutions.
Through expert-led sessions and collaborative activities, participants explore unmet clinical needs, commercialization strategy, prototyping, intellectual property, and venture development while learning how innovations move from concept to impact.
Program Journey
From Unmet Need to Commercialization
| 1. GAP Analysis & Unmet Needs | 5. Testing & Iterating (MVP) |
| 2. Market Analysis & Stakeholders | 6. Disclosure & Intellectual Property |
| 3. Business Strategy & Plan | 7. Marketplace & Exit Strategy |
| 4. Funding & Building Your Prototype | 8. Final Pitch Presentations |
Questions Explored
- What problem are you solving and for whom?
- Who is the customer versus the end user?
- Would hospitals, clinics, or industry actually adopt this solution?
- What stakeholders must say yes?
- What data do investors or customers need before adoption?
- When should you file an invention disclosure?
- What makes a company acquisition-ready?
- What defines a compelling venture pitch?
Designed For
- Faculty innovators
- Clinicians
- Research scientists
- Postdoctoral fellows
- Healthcare professionals
- Early-stage founders
- Individuals interested in translational healthcare innovation and commercialization
2026-2027 Course Schedule
Sessions will be held monthly on Wednesdays from August 2026 through April 2027.
Tentative Session Dates:
Fall 2026 |
Spring 2027 |
| August 19, 2026 | January 20, 2027 |
| September 16, 2026 | February 17, 2027 |
| October 14, 2026* | March 17, 2027 |
| November 11, 2026* | April 21, 2027 |
Time |
Location |
|
Wednesdays 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Health Sciences Research Building II Room N600, 6th floor 1750 Haygood Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30307 |
Note: If necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, a make-up session will be arranged.
*Is an adjusted session date; all other sessions follow the third Wednesday of each month schedule.
Eligibility & Application
- Primarily intended for current faculty, clinicians, researchers, post-docs, or staff members of Emory School of Medicine and Emory Healthcare.
- Note: However, all individuals with an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship are still encouraged to apply and may be considered based on program capacity.
- Applicants should be committed to attending all 8 course sessions.
- Applications must be submitted by June 17, 2026.
- All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and applicants will be notified by July 22, 2026 via email.
Course Directors Information
Chief, Division of Laryngology
Vice Chair of Faculty Development and Mentorship
Willard and Lillian Hackerman Professor in Voice
Department of Otolaryngology – HNS
Emory University School of Medicine
Joel Friedlander DO, M.A.-Bioethics
Chief Medical and Innovation Officer & Co-Founder, EvoEndo, Inc
Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Pediatric Gastroenterologist, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
