From Lab to Launch: Evaluating Startup Readiness

​Description
Many scientific discoveries have commercial potential, but not every discovery should become a venture-backed startup. Before launching a company, researchers need to understand whether the science, intellectual property, market opportunity, and founding team are positioned for successful commercialization.

​In this session, Dr. Jennifer Chadwick, Director-in-Residence at the Querrey InQbation Lab, will present a practical framework for evaluating startup readiness. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in biotechnology, drug development, and company building, she will discuss the key questions founders, investors, and technology transfer offices ask when assessing early-stage opportunities. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of when a startup is the right path, when additional de-risking is needed, and how programs at The Q can help evaluate and strengthen commercialization opportunities before company formation.

​Speaker
Jennifer Chadwick, PhD is Director-in-Residence at the Querrey InQbation Lab, where she advises early-stage life science startups translating Northwestern innovations into commercial products. With more than 20 years of experience spanning biologic drug discovery, formulation, translational development, and executive leadership, she has served as Chief Scientific Officer at ProtaGene, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Kansas, and founder of Jennifer Chadwick Consulting LLC. She currently advises biotechnology companies, investors, and universities as a fractional C-suite executive and board advisor. Dr. Chadwick earned her BA from Miami University and her PhD in Chemistry from Purdue University, where she also completed postdoctoral training in structural biology.