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Education

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Education is a cornerstone of our approach at Emergence. 

We believe that equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs with knowledge and skill sets enhances their ability to identify and address gaps in public health. Through thought leadership and tailored coursework, we motivate Stanford students and scholars to pursue innovations in health prevention and equity.

Our educational courses foster critical thinking and creativity, encouraging students to explore the complex challenges surrounding chronic health conditions and their systemic drivers with community health partners. We emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary learning, allowing participants to benefit from diverse perspectives within public health, technology, and entrepreneurship.

By integrating real-world case studies with our community partners and mentorship from industry leaders, our education initiative inspires a cohort of innovators committed to transforming health outcomes through preventive strategies and community engagement.

Example Projects - BIOE375 Course 

Biodesign and Technology Entrepreneurship for Societal Health 

SNAPPY

Food Insecurity

Problem: 40.5+ million Americans in designated food deserts face limited access to fresh food, contributing to food insecurity. Improving access to healthy foods and reducing waste are crucial steps in addressing food insecurity and promoting public health.

Solution: The student team created SNAPPY to connect SNAP users with grocery stores, food banks, and delivery services to provide access to healthy food that meets their financial constraints.

Community Partners: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley & Feeding America.

Backbone

Healthcare Access

Problem: Individuals with manual-intensive jobs suffer from injuries, which can lead to permanent damage and missed work. Detecting early-onset stress injuries and promoting proper biomechanics can reduce strain on employers and prevent long-term injuries.

Solution: The student team created Backbone to provide a mobile PT/chiropractic clinic that visits worksites monthly. In addition, an app allows workers to connect with healthcare teams in real-time.

Community Partners: UCSF Health & the Center for Care Innovations

Our Impact Entrepreneurship Framework 

We incorporate our Impact Entrepreneurship Framework into our classes and our accelerator programs to inspire entrepreneurs and organizations to drive systemic change through a holistic approach.

Impact VENTURES
  • Partnerships: Driving systemic change through collaboration.
  • Ownership & Governance: Structures that support the organization to achieve its mission.
  • Capital Strategy & Financing: Raising mission aligned strategic sources of funding.
Impact INNOVATION
  • Business Model & Operations: Aligning business model with impact and incorporating sustainability in operations.
  • Innovation Processes: Incorporating systems thinking and equity in need finding and solution development. 
Impact LEADERSHIP
  • Personal Development: Developing capacity and skills for transformational leadership.
  • Purpose Building: Developing impact goals and your theory of change.
  • Culture & Team Building: Co-developing values and team culture with your team.