MSK Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI)

Turning Breakthrough Science into Real-World Impact

A discovery in the lab can change everything—but only if it reaches patients.

For many scientists, the path from breakthrough to real-world impact is unclear, fragmented, and slow. Promising innovations stall between academic validation and commercialization, despite their potential to transform cancer care.

The Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI) at MSK was created to change that—by translating MSK discoveries into investment-ready oncology companies, platforms, and partnerships that can reach patients at scale.

Glennis Mehra, PhD serves as Director of MSK’s Entrepreneurship Initiative. She is based in MSK’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization and leads the EI team, including: Poonam Chitale, Phd, Business Analyst II; Anu Mohan, MS, Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager; and Devon Lundine, PhD, Fellow. 

Why EI Exists

MSK is a global leader in oncology research and clinical care. Yet even the most promising discoveries face a critical challenge:

There is no natural path from academic innovation to building a company that can deliver impact at scale.

Scientific founders often encounter:

  • uncertainty around how to translate their work into a viable product;
  • limited exposure to market, regulatory, and investment dynamics;
  • fragmented access to the right partners, capital, and expertise;
  • and difficulty prioritizing what truly drives value creation.

EI was designed to bridge this gap—combining MSK’s scientific and clinical leadership with venture development, external expertise, and access to capital.

The goal is simple but ambitious:  To enable MSK discoveries to become companies and solutions that meaningfully improve patient outcomes.

EI was created to ensure that the full potential of MSK innovation does not stop at discovery. We are building a system to translate breakthrough science into ventures that can deliver meaningful impact for patients.
Glennis Mehra, PhD
Director, Entrepreneurship Initiative

What Makes EI Unique

The MSK Entrepreneurship Initiative is purpose-built for oncology venture creation within a leading cancer center.  Its unique advantages include: 

  • Deep Clinical Integration:  Ventures are shaped in direct collaboration with MSK clinicians, ensuring relevance to real patient needs.
  • Venture Creation Focus:  EI is designed to produce investment-ready companies and scalable platforms—not just to advance research.
  • Disciplined, Investor-Aligned Model: Development is guided by structured milestones, external expert input, and real-world commercial expectations.
  • Integrated Ecosystem:  EI connects innovators to MSK’s broader commercialization infrastructure, including OEC and MSK Ventures.
  • Curated Expert Network:  Participants engage directly with investors, pharmaceutical partners, operators, and domain experts who actively shape venture direction.

The Participation Experience

EI is not a passive program—it is an immersive venture-building experience.

For first-time scientific founders at MSK, EI provides:

  • Clarity — understanding what matters most to build a viable company;
  • Focus — prioritizing the right indication, modality, and development path.
  • Confidence — developing an investor-ready narrative grounded in evidence.
  • Access — engaging directly with investors, pharma, and experienced operators.
  • Momentum — progressing from concept to a defined venture trajectory.

Throughout their participation in EI, MSK entrepreneurial teams will move from asking, “What do we have?” to answering, “What are we building, for whom, and why will it succeed?” Learn more about the EI Cohort Program here.

The EI Venture Development Model

EI operates as a disciplined venture creation engine—combining structured education, expert engagement, and milestone-based progression. Key elements include:

  • Discovery

  • Validation

  • Venture Development

  • Company Formation

  • Investment and Partnerships

Milestone-Based Progression (Risk Gating)

EI applies a rigorous evaluation framework to prioritize the most promising opportunities. Projects are assessed on:

  • value proposition strength;
  • quality of supporting data;
  • commercial viability; and
  • team engagement

This ensures that:

  • high-potential ventures receive deeper support and visibility;
  • teams receive clear, objective feedback; and
  • resources are allocated with discipline.

Built for the Real World

EI incorporates continuous input from external stakeholders to ensure that ventures are developed against real-world standards—not academic assumptions.