Program

The Modules

The Masterclass consists of 6 modules. Each module consists of two full-day courses and two evening sessions. Business and personal growth challenges are discussed in small peer groups, supported by professional coaches. These coaches guide participants in discovering their strengths and weaknesses, providing tools to aid in their personal development process.

Module 1: Entrepreneurship and Business Plan

After an inspiring start, it’s up to the participants to present their business cases. Participants select the four or five most interesting business cases and groups are formed. Each group of three to four people works on one of the business cases during the BioBusiness Masterclass.

Module 2: Intellectual Property Rights,
Product Development, and Contracts

Well-protected findings are often a biotech company’s most valuable assets. Therefore, the second module gives insights into the European intellectual property system. Several IP experts, from industry leading legal firms, explain the basics of patents and licensing agreements. With this knowledge and support from the experts, the teams develop their intellectual property strategy to build or grow their business. A crash course on regulatory affairs and contractual strategies is also given in this second module.

Module 3: Business Development, Communication,
and Personal Development

Experienced business developers take the participants along their routes to success. They explain what to do to close a successful deal and, even more important, what not to do. The guidance of these experts will help participants to further develop their own business development plan. 

There is hardly a single topic more fundamental to the business process than communication. Participants will therefore discover more about their communication preferences during this third module and they will learn how to use this knowledge to communicate effectively with different target groups.

Module 4: Finance

In this module the participants learn all the essentials of financial accounting. This helps the entrepreneurs and managers (to be) to read, understand, and effectively use balances, P&L statements, and cash flow statements. Examples from well-known life sciences companies will be used.   

Then, one of the most essential questions for a biotech company will be asked: how to get financed? Several venture capitalists will explain their preferences and give elaborate feedback on the business cases. Their coaching is strict, but fair and is always highly valued by the participants. 

Module 5: Leadership and Market Access

The fifth module focuses on improving participants’ leadership capabilities. Different leadership styles fit different people and different companies best. The participants will find out what fits them and their innovative companies best.

As (future) leaders the participants guide their companies in the preparation for market success. Useful tools for market place analysis and marketing management are dealt with in this fifth module as well.  

Module 6: Media Training and Business Plan Presentation

The last module is all about presenting the business cases. The entire module is focused on providing tools for the perfect presentation. Media experts train the participants in how to deal with the media and mock presentations are given. The finale of the Masterclass is the presentation of the business cases to a jury of experts. The most promising start-up with the best business plan receives the BioBusiness Masterclass Award.