Lessons
Founders Compass, an initiative of the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization (ZI), is designed to guide South Carolina’s scientific founders through the complex journey of launching and growing successful life science startup companies.
Our mission is to prepare and empower entrepreneurs to lead high-impact ventures that commercialize innovations developed at MUSC. By equipping founders with the knowledge, tools and confidence to navigate the business side of science, Founders Compass accelerates the transformation of academic research into life-saving products that improve patient outcomes and drive economic growth.
Founders Compass recognizes that university-based startups play a critical role in translating discovery into impact. To support this vital work, we are building a robust digital platform that delivers educational resources, expert insights and practical tools — a Founders Toolkit — tailored for early-stage founders in the life sciences.
The Founders Toolkit will feature virtual learning modules and curated materials covering essential business concepts such as:
- Corporate structure and company formation
- Intellectual property protection and licensing
- Pitch deck and pitch development
- Building effective startup teams
- Regulatory pathways and reimbursement strategies
- Communicating with technical and non-technical audiences
Developed and organized by the ZI team in collaboration with creative content and web development experts, Founders Compass integrates original educational content with links to proven resources from successful programs nationwide.
Through this initiative, the Zucker Institute aims to build a stronger, more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Carolina — one that empowers scientific innovators to bring their discoveries from the lab bench to the marketplace.
