Most founder programs feel institutional -- they're "offered by" a school or firm, they have application processes that feel like admin, the incentives don’t always align with your best interest, and they signal prestige rather than belonging. Ferment is the opposite. It is something we built for ourselves, a truly grass roots community for Stanford scientists in the Life Sciences

Stanford PhD students, postdocs, & scientists developing therapeutics or tools/diagnostics/devices to advance human health. Whether you are in the early research stages or actively deciding if entrepreneurship is the right path for you, we can help you find the market for your technology.

If your research has early proof-of-concept, then you are ready to join Ferment! We are looking for high impact science, and help you build out the business side.

Do not feel like you need to have a master plan for building, you can find that here.

You will be part of a community of exceptional scientists and entrepreneurs. Building a startup is first and foremost about the people, meet your peers, colleagues, and potentially co-founders at Ferment.

You will have the opportunity to pitch your science to 8 top-tier venture capital firms, who will provide feedback on key experiments to do, and go-to-market strategies.

You will be paired with mentors, who will support you during and after the program

No. We highly encourage "pre-money" founders who are still testing different concepts in the academic lab setting to apply. If you do have an idea of the product, you’ll make the idea even stronger within the program.

We know how busy everyone are. The core of the Ferment program is a series of private lunch or dinner hosted by our partnering investors, providing a relaxed environment to discuss your research and vision. You are required to attend two dinners every month.

If an investor selects your idea for further development, the only additional time commitment is a dedicated one-on-one coaching session. You gotta eat food anyways!

No. The program is grassroots, free, and no strings attached whatsoever.

Generally no. You will only be sharing non-confidential information about your research with investors. If you further develop your relationship with an investor and will be disclosing confidential information, please consult your PI and Stanford OTL for more guidance.

Please email organizer Steven stev(dot)wang(at)stanford