184 A Coaching and Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program for Women

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: The STEM-Coaching and Resources for Entrepreneurial Women (CREW) Program was developed to promote systemic change in entrepreneurship by engaging women faculty and post-doctoral fellows through educational opportunities, mentorship, and professional coaching to close the gender gap in entrepreneurial leadership. Methods/Study Population: We solicited applications from women at the junior faculty or post-doctoral fellowship stage. Applications were reviewed by the CREW leadership and mentors. Applicants accepted into the program participated in monthly large group coaching sessions, one-one-one coaching, and small group mentoring sessions. Applicants also completed an online entrepreneurship course and participated in a shark tank-like competition during annual innovation awareness month. Coaches were professionally credentialed and oriented to the biomedical context. Entrepreneurial experts served as mentors. Our program evaluation used the RE-AIM framework. The evaluation included assessments of the program’s ability to reach a diverse population, satisfaction with program offerings, and changes in entrepreneurship outcomes. Results/Anticipated Results: To date, three cohorts consisting of 35 women from 13 states participated in the program. Results from Cohort 1 show significant improvements in self-assessed confidence in entrepreneurial activities and high satisfaction with the program. All measures of confidence showed increases, with the largest gains in the areas of “estimating customer demand for new products or services”; “Clearly and concisely explaining my business idea in everyday terms”; and “Getting others to identify with and believe in my vision and plans for a new business”. The percentage of participants who have invention disclosures significantly increased from 33.3% to 83.3% after completing the program. The percentage who launched start-up companies also increased from 17% to 33%. Cohort 2 results will be available before the conference. Discussion/Significance of Impact: Participants in the CREW program showed improvement in all measures of evaluation. The program is unique in complementing mentoring with coaching. Because the coaching component takes a holistic approach by encouraging women to craft a vision for their work and life, it provides value that will last beyond entrepreneurship activities.