Global Surgery Slingshot
The second 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. This cohort will learn proven practices for making their innovations attractive to potential investing partners - so that their ideas can save more lives.
2025 Global Surgery Slingshot: January-May 2025
Join our mailing list for updates and program reminders.
Do you have an innovation that would make a positive impact on global surgery? 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.
There is tiered pricing so we can include as many qualified applicants as possible:
| $3,000 | if from a high-resourced community |
|---|---|
| $1,500 | if from a middle-resourced community |
| Free | if from a low-resourced community |
The Steven C. and Carmella R. Kletjian Foundation is sponsoring innovators who cannot cover the cost of this program fully.
Join Us!
Faculty members from Babson College (#1 ranked college for entrepreneurship) will be providing weekly virtual sessions starting in January 2025. 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 October 17th we hosted an Open House Information Session. Learn more about the program from the course faculty by clicking on the Open House recording here.
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
- 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
| Schedule | |
|---|---|
| September 23, 2024 | Launch of solicitation of applications |
| October 17, 2024 | Watch the Open House Information Session recording |
| November 11, 2024 | Deadline for applications |
| December 2, 2024 | Notification of program status |
| December 6, 2024 | Confirmation deadline |
| January 8, 2025–Mid-May | Global Surgery weekly sessions (Wednesdays from 9 a.m.–10:30 a.m. ET) |
| Mid-May 2025 (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
Wiljeana Jackson Glover
Faculty Instructor
Sinan Erzurumlu
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 MBA ’09; MD
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.
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?
There is tiered pricing so we can include as many qualified applicants as possible:
| $3,000 | if from a high-resourced community |
|---|---|
| $1,500 | if from a middle-resourced community |
| Free | if from a low-resourced community |
The Steven C. and Carmella R. Kletjian Foundation is sponsoring innovators who cannot cover the cost of this program fully.
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 8 and going to Mid-May, 2025). 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. If applying as a group, there is less likelihood of the whole group being accepted into the program.
Have another question not listed here?
Contact us at GSSlingshot@babson.edu.