Boston University research often leads to innovations with real impact, from life-changing solutions to every day problems to life-saving technologies and therapeutics. The broader the pool of faculty patenting their work, the more diverse and impactful our research becomes. Yet studies have shown that there continues to be gender disparity in academic technology transfer and commercialization at universities nationwide.
BU Technology Development is committed to shining a light on these issues and sharing resources and tools to increase the number of women disclosing inventions at BU and beyond. Here are some resources and tools you might find helpful. Questions or resources to add to this list? Reach out to otd@bu.edu.
Education
In a 2019 report, “Progress and Potential: A profile of women inventors on U.S. patents,” the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) investigated the participation of U.S.-based women inventor-patentees in the U.S. patent system.1 It examined the trends and characteristics of women’s participation and found that women were underrepresented. This update improves our understanding of women’s participation as inventor-patentees in two ways. First, it updates the findings from the 2019 report using three years of new data, covering January 2017 through December 2019. Second, it provides an analysis of entry by women into the patent system.
USPTO – Massachusetts regional page
Massachusetts residents have access to a host of unique resources and assistance in their state. Resources include patent legal assistance, listings entrepreneur workshops and trainings, and network information for inventors and entrepreneur organizations in Massachusetts. Additionally, our USPTO headquarters provides additional support and resources for customers in the Eastern region of the United States.
National Council for Expanding American Innovation
The National Council for Expanding American Innovation (NCEAI) is charged with strategizing new ways to expand American innovation by tapping into the strength of our nation’s diversity and increasing the opportunities for all Americans to participate in innovation. The NCEAI provides resources for expanding innovation and features events geared towards women’s empowerment.
Overcoming the Gender Gap in Innovation (Nichole Mercier)
More males than females are disclosing and patenting their ideas and research despite the increase in female faculty members at universities over recent years. This article summarizes the results of technology transfer activities by women innovators both prior to and three years into programs that support women in technology.
The Women Inventors Special Interest Group has developed this toolkit in order to provide Technology Transfer Offices with the information garnered from interviews and research of existing programs, all geared towards supporting women in STEM and entrepreneurship.
EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women
An executive education program which targets savvy women founders who have built profitable small companies, but who have not yet found the essential tools needed to expand sustainably.
How Women Can Get What They Want In A Negotiation
This is an article about negotiation to help women get what they deserve when hunting for a job, particularly in male dominated fields.
Demystifying the patent system
In October 2019, the USPTO published a report to Congress on the Study of Underrepresented Classes Chasing Engineering and Science Success (SUCCESS) Act. The report highlights the need for accessible resources explaining the patent process. The USPTO offers a variety of resources, including this new toolkit, to demystify the patent process, thereby alleviating some obstacles and encouraging more participation.
Learn to negotiate your financial future through an AAUW Work Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop! AAUW, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement have launched a large-scale grassroots initiative to teach and empower 85,000 women by 2021 to confidently and successfully negotiate for salary and benefits packages and help close the gender pay gap in Boston. AAUW Salary Negotiation Programs are designed to empower women with the skills and confidence to negotiate for fair pay. Participants learn how to research competitive salaries, articulate their skills, qualifications and experience, and ask for — and get — the pay they deserve.
Babson College Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership
At the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership we are closing the gender gap in business, one female leader at a time. We educate and empower women to create social and economic impact through industry and innovation as we research and enlighten the global community about the importance of female leadership for prosperity and human progress.
Funding
Golden Seeds is an early-stage investment firm with a focus on women leaders. Golden Seeds is focused on vibrant opportunities of women-led businesses. Golden Seeds brings financial and intellectual capital to its companies and investors. Their approach employs three primary components: a network of angel investors, a family of Venture Capital Funds, and a robust educational program dedicated to training and sharing best practices.
All Raise arms female founders and funders with access, guidance, and support through bootcamps (from pre-seed to series B) and one-on-one mentorships to exponentially accelerate their success and propel the entire industry forward
Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment to help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education, capital and business support services. Through the program, participants will gain practical skills in topics such as negotiation, marketing, and employee management that can immediately be put into action. In addition, they will receive the tools and professional support they need to develop a strategic and customized business growth plan that will take their company to the next level.
Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative (MassNextGen)
The Massachusetts Next Generation Initiative (MassNextGen) is a five year, more than $2 million commitment to ensure greater gender parity in the next generation of life science entrepreneurs. This is a competitive program. Women-led early-stage life science companies will be awarded a year-long customized package of support, which includes non-dilutive grant funding and access to a network of seasoned Executive Coaches from the life sciences ecosystem to refine their business strategies and effectively raise capital.
When Women Control the Money, Female Founders get Funded
A New York Times article about the obstacles female founders face when raising VC funds, feature profiles of women leading the charge for change.
Networking
The Boston Club is a community of executives and professionals invested in elevating women to leadership positions across all walks of business.
Springboard’s mission is to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurial companies led by women through access to essential resources and a global community of experts. They have also produced targeted education programs, entrepreneurial gatherings and caucuses, and presentation sessions with investors, corporate partners and industry sector experts.
Astia focuses on high-growth women entrepreneurs. They identify high potential companies through a personalized referral system, move them through a multi-step Astia Expert Sift towards possible investor presentation, link them to advisors and resources as needed, and share them with Astia Angels.
The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce gives voice to the collective strength of women in the U.S. economy. Using a platform of influence, innovation, and opportunity, we work with and for our members to grow successful businesses and careers. It helps women start and build successful businesses, gain access to government contracts, grow as leaders and prepare for a secure retirement. They work to advance government policies that underpin Women’s Economic Priorities.
The MassCONNECT program involves a two-month mentorship where industry experts guide entrepreneurs as they seek to develop business plans, launch companies, and raise capital. Entrepreneurs gain invaluable advice and coaching on defining their value proposition, developing pitches, and building professional networks.
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association – New England Region
HBA’s core purpose and mission is to further the advancement and impact of women in the business of healthcare, accomplished through strong business networks, education, research, advocacy, and recognition for individuals and companies. Further HBA resources and podcasts can be accessed here.
The Life Science Women’s Network is a global network of women working in life sciences. Driven by an eclectic range of backgrounds and experience levels, the LSWN is creating an environment in which life science women can interact and share common goals.
Research: Men and Women Need Different Kinds of Network to Succeed
This is an article about how women need to network different than men, because we have different needs. Gives insights into how women can expend the impact of their networks.
Programs
MassChallenge Boston is a premier early-stage startup accelerator program. Our unique model is industry agnostic, allowing us to select and support the highest potential innovators from all sectors. Whether working on breakthrough advances in data security or using AI technology to drive health outcomes, our entrepreneurs are at the leading edge of their field.
Women 2.0 provides information and business ed programs for women interested in growing their ventures. Women 2.0 is a media and tech company focused on gender equality and inclusion in the tech space, serving over 300,000 through content, programming, products and services. Closely aligned with their partner venture fund, W Fund; co-organizer of “Founders + Funders.”
Babson College Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab
Five month program that offers women entrepreneurs the road map, expertise, inspiration, and community needed to launch high-growth ventures.
A program that prepares and trains women for angel investing through education, mentoring, and practice. Pipeline Angels is changing the face of angel investing and creating capital for women and non-binary femme social entrepreneurs. Members serve as the friends and family round for entrepreneurs who may not already have support at that critical stage.
Certification Assistance @ The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce
“Opening doors around the globe for women-owned firms.”
In today’s environment, women business owners are seeking to advance their business growth as suppliers to governments and large corporations in the United States and internationally. To assist these firms and provide strong market leadership, the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce awards four highly regarded women-owned business certifications.
City of Boston Economic Development Technical Assistance
City of Boston provides free consultations for entrepreneurs and small business owners on topics ranging from business planning, marketing, and more.
Center for Women and Enterprise
The Center for Women & Enterprise is a nationally known nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people start and grow their businesses. CWE has worked with more than 46,000 Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont entrepreneurs since 1995. CWE also operates the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) that focuses on assisting veterans, active duty service members and their families with starting and growing their business.
Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WE BOS) provides the skill-building opportunities, technical help, and networks to help women entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Resources offered include coaching, educational workshops, mentoring, networking, and panel discussions.