Investor Readiness Bootcamp

Who This is For

Founders developing therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, or digital health.

Startups with proof of concept/MVP or pilot animal or clinical data, ready to build a fundable plan, data room, and investor-grade pitch.

Program Outcomes

Think Like An Investor

Learn how investors score startups and why

Personalized Investor Scorecard

Scorecard across key dimensions: team, market, product, IP, regulatory, competition, business model, traction, funding roadmap, exit

Polished pitch

Via three rounds: peer review, expert/investor refinement, and live showcase

Funding roadmap

Aligned to milestones investors believe

Investor-ready data room

Reviewed across 6 dimensions with a concrete action plan

Bonus masterclass

Build a practical commercialization playbook (segments, channels, pricing, partnerships, talent)

4-Week Bootcamp

As part of our mission to accelerate breakthrough solutions, we host exclusive pitch opportunities for experts to connect with startups.

Week 1
Educate & Evaluate
(in-person)

Masterclass: Inside Track to Fundraising — Think Like an Investor (½-day)
Masterclass: Tips and Tricks for Navigating FDA & Clinical Trial Pathways (½-day)
Masterclass- Commercialization Unlocked: The Lab-to-Launch Playbook for Healthcare & Life Sciences (½-day)
Funding roadmap & data room basics; 1:1 scorecard feedback with investor experts

Week 2 - 3
Pitch& Data Room (remote)

1-on-1 Pitch practice & refinements with seasoned experts
Data room detailed review and action planning
Funding Roadmap detailed review

Week 4
Final Pitch & Activation
(in-person):

Final pitch practice
Funding roadmap & data room basics; 1-on-1 Action Plan follow-up (data room/ funding roadmap)- Office hoursscorecard feedback with investor experts
Pitch showcase- final pitch, investor introductions

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Choose Your Track

Track A — Therapeutics

Investor readiness for therapeutics; milestones, dilution, diligence
TPP & value story
Nonclinical/CMC; Phase I/II/III design and endpoints
CBER/CDER touchpoints (meetings, briefing packages)
Early HEOR/market access signals

Track B — Medical Devices & Diagnostics

Design controls (21 CFR 820/ISO 13485) & ISO 14971 risk management
Human factors/usability
Device & Dx pathways (510(k)/De Novo/PMA;CLIA; analytical & clinical validity)
Reimbursement & coding (CPT/PLA/HCPCS)
Right-sized quality management system

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Join Cohort

About the Partners

Big Tree Start Up Academy delivers the Investor Readiness Bootcamp with masterclasses, scorecards, and showcases grounded in extensive pitch/evaluation experience.

Aquillius Institute is a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating innovation by empowering researchers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to transform breakthrough discoveries into real-world impact. Through a collaborative research environment, hands-on training, and industry partnerships, the Institute bridges the gap between the lab and the marketplace. Its entrepreneur-in-training programs, applied research initiatives, and commercialization support help emerging innovators turn ideas into viable technologies, products, and startups that advance human and planetary health.

Aquillius Ventures partners with early-stage founders, building an investor network (angels, family offices, VCs) and coordinating co-investments alongside Aquillius programs.

Disclosure

This program improves investor readiness; funding is not guaranteed. All investment decisions are made independently by investors outside of the program.