Global Surgery Slingshot
The third Global Surgery Slingshot will convene 20 innovators with solutions to global surgery challenges (particularly ob/gyn, trauma, orthopedics, and other areas of critical need) in the world’s low- and middle-income regions.
Free Program
This cohort will learn proven practices for making their innovations attractive to potential investing partners—so that their ideas can save more lives.
This program is FREE for all participants.
2026 Global Surgery Slingshot: January-May 2026
Applications NOW OPEN!
Do you have an innovation that would make a positive impact on global surgery? Maybe you do not have an idea but would like to learn how to innovate in the global surgery industry. Apply to join a cohort of others attending educational sessions to further your innovation. Sessions are taught by Babson College faculty. Babson College is historically a top ranked school specializing in entrepreneurship, and known for its signature Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology.
This program is FREE for all participants and is funded by The Steven C. and Carmella R. Kletjian Foundation, a foundation passionate about building high-quality, sustainable surgery programs in LMICs and increasing access to life-saving surgery to vulnerable populations around the world.
Join Us!
Faculty members from Babson College (#1 ranked college for entrepreneurship for the past 29 years and #2 best college for the second year) will be providing weekly virtual sessions starting in January 2026. Join and learn with a small cohort of 20 innovators in the global surgery space. Participate from anywhere in the world. Mentoring sessions will also be provided and led by leaders in global surgery. The course will conclude with presentations with a global audience. Come meet others and expand your network. We are here to help and will surround you with the necessary resources to take your idea to market. We are excited to get started—Are you?
On November 6 at 6pm GMT we will host an Open House Information Session. Register here and learn more about the program from the course faculty.
I am writing to express my gratitude for selecting the Madison Microneurosurgery Initiative (MMI) to participate in the Babson College Global Surgery Slingshot Program. The insights and knowledge we gained during the program have been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for all the support and guidance provided throughout the sessions.
The program has significantly enhanced our approach to global surgery training, and we are excited to implement the new strategies we have learned to further our mission of providing accessible and sustainable microsurgery training to health professionals in low- and middle-income countries.”
Objectives
- Evaluate the commercial & impact potential of entrepreneurial opportunities, including their go-to-market strategies.
- Develop a viable business model fit for scaling the opportunity and attractive to investors and other stakeholders.
- Master the fundamentals to drive financial sustainability and social well-being while deploying novel ideas, e.g., via , e.g., tech enabled services, platforms, product/service portfolios
- Receive feedback from experienced venture leaders and investors
- Access broader ecosystem of institutional and individual actors addressing global surgery
- Work with Ministries of Health for district-level implementation of innovations with potential funders
Recording of Cohort 2024’s Final Demo Day
Course Description
The course includes:
- A series of 90-minute virtual sessions with customized convening materials
- Participant networking and coaching opportunities
- A final presentation session with external guests
Potential Participants
Who should apply? Anyone who is working in a LMIC healthcare space on a problem related to surgery (e.g., obstetrical surgery such as cesarean delivery or fistula repair; neurosurgery; pediatric surgery; surgical support services such as anesthesiology and pain management, pharmacy and infection prevention, public policy, and many others). It doesn't matter how experienced you are or how well developed your solution is. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about the problem they are trying to solve and intend to remain engaged for a long period.
We welcome the following to apply:
- Country representatives with National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans (NSOAPs) seeking to expand surgical care in innovative ways
- Medical and research professionals with global surgery-related innovations
- Devices
- Tech enabled services
- Topics where there is opportunity and demand (e.g., supply chain for laparoscopic surgery)
- Infrastructural services: internet/cable, water, power, waste management
- Early-stage ventures with global surgery technology or service or more established that are newly considering emerging market adaptation
- Students or professionals who might not have an idea or innovation but wish to be a part of a team working to bring an innovation to market
| Schedule | |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2025 | Launch of solicitation of applications |
| November 6, 2025 | Virtual Open House Information Session: Register here |
| November 17, 2025 | Deadline for applications |
| November 24, 2025 | Notification of program status |
| November 26, 2025 | Confirmation deadline |
| January 7 to Mid-May 2026 | Global Surgery weekly sessions |
| Mid-May 2026 (TBA) | Final Demo Day at G4 Alliance Summit (hybrid event) |
Session Topics Include
Surgical care ecosystem mapping-Public and Private Partners, Social Impact Analysis, Business Model Design for Attracting Public and Private Funding, and Pitching and Storytelling
All sessions will be virtual from 1–2:30 p.m. GMT.
For more information, please contact us at GSslingshot@babson.edu.
Program Facilitators
Errol Norwitz, MD, PhD, MBA
Program Co-Director
Sinan Erzurumlu
Program Co-Director
Faculty Instructor
Wiljeana Jackson Glover
Faculty Instructor
Phil Kim
Faculty Instructor
Ellie Kyung
Faculty Instructor
Mark Potter, PhD
Faculty Instructor
Dheera Ananthakrishnan, MD
Organizing Committee Member
Ernest Barthélemy, MD, MPH, MA
Organizing Committee Member
Mack Cheney, MD
Organizing Committee Member
Tonja Danowski ’09, MBA
Organizing Committee Member
Femi Moito, MBA
Mentor
Abraham (Nick) Morse, MD, MBA’09
Mentor
Gauri Singh
Mentor
Debbie Lin Teodorescu, MEng, MD
Mentor
Michele Bernier, MBA
Program Manager
Why Babson College?
Babson College has long been pioneers in entrepreneurship and business education, consistently ranking as the top college in the United States for entrepreneurship at the undergraduate and MBA levels. Babson College is a leader across all of higher education as evidenced by The Wall Street Journal ranking Babson College as the 2nd best college in the country.
Will I receive funding for my innovation from Babson College?
Babson College will not be funding any of the innovations as part of this program.
Where does the program take place?
All sessions will be virtual. Each session will be recorded for later viewing.
Is there a cost for the program?
This program is funded by The Steven C. and Carmella R. Kletjian Foundation.
What is needed for the program?
You will need access to Wi-Fi. You will need dedicated time for the course sessions (90 minutes from 1–2:30 p.m. GMT every week starting on January 7 and going to Mid-May, 2026). You will also need dedicated time outside of the session time to work on assignments and applying the content to your innovation.
What language will be used for the course?
The course and all materials will be presented in English.
Will I forfeit any Intellectual Property (IP) rights by participating in this program?
No. We will not gain any IP from your innovation. If at a university, please check with your institution technology transfer/IP/commercialization office before applying. Inquire about the rules for your institution.
Will there be networking opportunities in this program?
Yes. You will network with your cohort and with mentees. If there are specific requests/needs, we will leverage our networks to find a connection.
Should I include confidential information in my application?
No. Do not include confidential information in the application.
Do I need a finished product/solution?
No.
Do I need to already have a team in place to work on the innovative solution?
No.
If a venture is getting some traction and funding to operate in a developed country but is now interested in expanding to global/underserved markets, would that be an applicable innovation to participate in this program?
Yes, if the mission is affordability for underserved global markets, or if you currently have a partner in an underserved area and struggle to gain traction. If the price is high with no plans to reduce costs, then we would ask for a demonstration of cost reduction.
Can I apply individually? Or as a group?
You may apply individually or as a group.
Have another question not listed here?
Contact us at GSSlingshot@babson.edu.