September 2025 issue
September 30, 2025 | The Cleveland Neurodesign Entrepreneurs Workshop, a novel program dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurship in neurotechnology, reached a major milestone earlier this month when it welcomed its 200th student. Modeled on the Stanford Biodesign framework but tailored to the unique challenges of neurotech commercialization, CNEW continues to serve as a launchpad for the next generation of innovators.
Unlike most academic courses, CNEW is designed as a fast-paced, hands-on immersion. Each of the 32 competitively selected participants receives full support—tuition, lodging, meals, and in some cases travel—thanks to sponsorships that ensure cost is never a barrier to participation. Students are formed into interdisciplinary teams of four and provided with a broad set of real-world clinical observations. They are then guided through the structured process of identifying unmet needs, crafting need statements, generating and refining concepts, and developing strategies across intellectual property, clinical validation, regulatory approval, reimbursement, and privacy and security. The program culminates in each team delivering a polished pitch to a panel of seasoned neurotechnology entrepreneurs and investors.
“Over the course of a few days, I was fully immersed in the biodesign process—learning how to address unmet clinical needs and craft innovative solutions, all while navigating complexities of IP, regulatory, and marketing strategy. The depth of knowledge imparted by the faculty mentors was truly inspiring,” said Isabel Danstrom, a neuroscience Ph.D. candidate at Baylor College of Medicine.
“This program made clear how essential interdisciplinary teams spanning scientific research, engineering, and business are. Effective communication and teamwork aren’t just helpful, but foundational to success.”
A core tenet of the workshop is that entrepreneurship can be taught systematically, equipping participants with tools to reduce risk and accelerate translation of ideas into viable companies. The program is hosted at Case Western Reserve University and led by a volunteer faculty composed of top experts in regulatory, reimbursement, intellectual property, clinical practice, and venture creation. Their collective mission is to advance the neurotech ecosystem by mentoring emerging leaders.
This year also marked an international expansion: with major support from Blackrock Neurotech, Tether, and IEEE’s Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, the program launched its first European cohort in Lugano, Switzerland. Drawing on faculty from both Europe and the U.S., the expansion doubled participation and lowered barriers for students across the continent, reinforcing CNEW’s role as a global hub for neurotechnology entrepreneurship.
The program’s future hinges on continued support from industry sponsors. In addition to long-time backers Blackrock Neurotech, IEEE EMBS, Precision Neuroscience, and the Cleveland FES Center, new 2025 sponsors included Micro Systems Technologies and Cirtec Medical. Their contributions help ensure that every deserving student has access to this transformative experience—and that the pipeline of trained neurotech entrepreneurs continues to grow.
