The Center for Technology Licensing (CTL) is Cornell University's technology transfer office. We manage technology for Cornell's Ithaca campus, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell Tech, and Cornell AgriTech in Geneva.

Women Innovators Initiative

 

Women Innovators Initiative (WI2)

The Women Innovators Initiative is a Cornell program to Engage, Empower, and Grow women faculty, staff, and graduate students on the path toward technology innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.

 

Goals:

  • Introduce women faculty, staff, and students to technology innovation and commercialization, and help increase their participation in inventorship.
  • Support their interests and exploration in entrepreneurship and leadership roles.

Programs:

  • Women Innovator Awards

    •  A celebration of Cornell women innovators for their contributions to innovation and commercialization

  • WI2 Event series

    • A series of seminars, webinars, and networking events.
    • Learn from inspiring women inventors and entrepreneurs

  • WI2 Mentor program

    • Match mentors (seasoned women innovators, entrepreneurs, and/or investors) with mentees (aspiring and novice inventors and entrepreneurs)
    • Cultivate the next generation of leaders with the help of our volunteering alumnae

  • Partner Programs and Events

Details:

Women Innovator Awards

The Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University (CTL) launched the inaugural Women Innovator Awards, a celebration of Cornell women innovators for their contributions in innovation and commercialization. For more information and application, visit here.

 

      • March 17, 2022: Webinar “CTL@WCM Special Panel on Women’s Health”
        Read about the webinar and the panelists here.

  • WI2 Mentor program
    • Duration: Commitment of a year.

 

Eligibility criteria / Requirements

Mentors Mentee
Who Alumnae volunteers willing to provide advice and perspectives on technology innovation, commercialization, startups, and other related activities. Cornell Faculty, Staff (post-doctoral fellows), and Grad students who are interested in technology, commercialization, and new ventures and wish to learn from experienced women leaders
Background Experienced in technology commercialization and Startup creation Conducting research at Cornell
Process Review a list of pre-selected candidates Express a substantiated interest in the program
Match Select up to three mentees per year One designed mentor
Commitment At least two meetings per mentee in a year.
Willing to share their email with a mentee.		 At least two one-on-one meetings with a mentor per year
Respectful of mentor time
Responsive to mentor’s emails

For Mentees:

 

Application process:

  • Submit an online application here.
  • The team at CTL will screen the application and propose them for review to the mentors.
  • Once selected, mentees are introduced to their mentor through a virtual introduction.

For more information, please contact Lynda Inseque at Lci2@cornell.edu.

 

For mentors:

 

If you are interested in serving as a mentor, please contact Lynda Inseque at Lci2@cornell.edu.

 

Partner Programs & Events

 

Weill Cornell Medicine Women Founders Initiative

The Women Founders Initiative at WCM will host and promote several initiatives to help women innovators become successful entrepreneurs and leaders. Learn more.

 

Equalize

Equalize is a virtual mentor program and pitch competition designed to take national action around the disparity of women academic inventors forming university startups.

>> Call for applications

Application Info Sessions (Video)

Register here to attend the virtual pitch competition on June 30, 2022.