Key Takeaways
- The Future Leaders in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FLIE) program pairs MBA students from Fisher College of Business with STEM researchers to evaluate and advance Ohio State inventions toward market entry.
- Participants first complete the NSF I‑Corps program, which trains engineers and scientists to assess commercial potential through intensive, five‑week customer‑discovery sessions.
- By embedding business students in research teams, FLIE adds market‑analysis, financial modeling, and communication skills that scientists often lack, accelerating technology transfer.
- The inaugural cohort worked on medical‑technology projects, including an eye‑surgery assistive device and a drug for peripheral neuropathy, gaining hands‑on experience in customer segmentation, competitive analysis, and pitch preparation.
- MBA participants reported improved interdisciplinary communication, expanded professional networks, and practical lessons applicable to future entrepreneurial or corporate roles.
- The program also fostered peer learning among MBA students, who shared challenges and strategies during weekly meetings, reinforcing a collaborative mindset.
- FLIE exemplifies how cross‑disciplinary partnerships can bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and viable commercial ventures, benefiting both researchers and future business leaders.
Program Overview
The Future Leaders in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FLIE) initiative at The Ohio State University is a semester‑long, experiential program designed to unite graduate students from business and STEM disciplines. Hosted by Fisher College of Business in collaboration with the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship and the colleges of Engineering, Medicine, and Arts and Sciences, FLIE aims to translate university research into market‑ready products. MBA students earn three credit hours for participation, while STEM faculty, trainees, and postdoctoral researchers contribute their technical expertise. The structure encourages mutual learning: business students gain exposure to cutting‑edge science, and scientists acquire essential commercialization skills.
Integration with NSF I‑Corps
Before joining FLIE, each technology team must complete the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I‑Corps) program. I‑Corps provides a rigorous, five‑week curriculum that guides engineers and scientists through customer discovery, value‑proposition testing, and early‑stage market validation. By requiring this prerequisite, FLIE ensures that researchers enter the partnership with a foundational understanding of market needs and the lean‑startup methodology. The I‑Corps experience sets the stage for MBA students to layer financial analysis, business‑model canvas development, and strategic planning onto the scientific groundwork already established.
Roles of MBA Students
MBA participants serve as business consultants to the research teams, bringing skills in market research, financial modeling, competitive analysis, and pitch preparation. They conduct dozens of interviews with potential customers, industry experts, and nonprofit leaders to gather quantitative and qualitative data. This information feeds into customer segmentation studies, helps identify viable revenue streams, and informs the creation of commercialization roadmaps that outline technical milestones, funding requirements, and go‑to‑market timelines. In essence, MBA students act as the bridge that transforms laboratory concepts into investable ventures.
First‑Cohort Projects
The inaugural FLIE cohort featured two MBA students, Matheus Fagundes and Chase Gorman, each paired with a researcher developing a medical‑technology innovation. Fagundes, who holds a doctorate in engineering from the University of Georgia, collaborated on a device designed to assist surgeons during eye‑operations. Gorman worked with a scientist developing a therapeutic drug aimed at treating peripheral neuropathy—a condition involving damage to the brain and spinal cord that leads to limb numbness. Both projects were at early stages, allowing the teams to shape the commercialization path from the outset.
Student Motivations and Learning Outcomes
Fagundes and Gorman joined FLIE to share their business acumen while simultaneously expanding their own skill sets. Fagundes emphasized learning how to communicate complex technical ideas to PhD‑level founders in a way that is both understandable and actionable. Gorman highlighted the program’s role in applying MBA‑acquired knowledge—particularly quantitative market research—to real‑world problems, while also honing interpersonal skills through extensive stakeholder interviews. Both reported that the experience broadened their perspective beyond traditional business silos, fostering a more holistic view of innovation.
Pitch Preparation and Deliverables
At the conclusion of the semester, each team delivered an investor‑style presentation that included customer segmentation, market and competitive analyses, and a detailed commercialization roadmap. The roadmap outlined technical milestones (e.g., prototype completion, regulatory submissions) alongside funding requirements and timelines for achieving each step. Fagundes noted that founders were at varying stages—some had just published a paper, while others were further along—necessitating tailored advice on the next actions and capital needed to reach those milestones. This exercise reinforced the importance of aligning scientific progress with market readiness.
Insights Gained from Researchers and Faculty
Beyond the technical content, MBA students valued the real‑world anecdotes shared by researchers and Ohio State faculty. Gorman cited the stories of Nicole Weidner, CEO of Columbus‑based biotech startup Scioto Agritech, and other entrepreneurs as particularly enlightening, providing practical lessons on navigating regulatory hurdles, building teams, and securing venture capital. These narratives complemented theoretical frameworks taught in the classroom, offering a nuanced view of the entrepreneurial journey that textbooks alone cannot convey.
Community and Peer Learning Among MBA Students
Fagundes highlighted another unexpected benefit: the sense of camaraderie that developed among the MBA participants. Weekly meetings created a forum where students could discuss challenges, share strategies, and realize that their struggles were often mirrored by peers. This peer support network helped sustain motivation and provided diverse perspectives on problem‑solving, reinforcing the program’s goal of fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary thinking rather than isolated work.
Broader Impact and Connection to In‑Demand Jobs Week
The FLIE program aligns with Ohio State’s broader workforce development goals, especially highlighted during In‑Demand Jobs Week (May 4‑8), an annual statewide celebration of occupations, industries, and skills sought after in Ohio. By equipping MBA students with entrepreneurial experience and STEM researchers with market‑validation capabilities, FLIE contributes to a talent pool ready to fill high‑growth roles in innovation‑driven sectors such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology. The initiative thus serves as a model for how universities can stimulate economic development by linking academic discovery with business acumen.
Conclusion
The Future Leaders in Innovation and Entrepreneurship program exemplifies a successful partnership between business education and scientific research at Ohio State. Through a structured sequence that begins with NSF I‑Corps training, incorporates MBA‑led market analysis, and culminates in investor‑ready pitches, FLIE accelerates the path from laboratory breakthrough to marketable product. Participants emerge with enhanced interdisciplinary communication, practical entrepreneurial skills, and a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of innovation—benefits that resonate well beyond the individual projects and contribute to the region’s economic vitality.