FFMI fastPACE
Fast Forward Medical Innovation
We offer a project-based, experiential course focused on launching new innovations.
FFMI fastPACE is a multi-week course designed to help academics develop their innovations, including medical devices/diagnostics, digital solutions, drugs, educational/training interventions, research tools, and many others.
Innovators are matched with expert teaching team members for guidance on the development of a business case for adoption, implementation, or commercialization.
Graduates of the course have gone on to use their business case to forge new development partnerships, secure funding, and extend their network of support.
Fast Forward Medical Innovation offers a comprehensive collection of educational programs and training tailored for busy faculty, students, clinicians, and researchers across the University of Michigan, and across the state, region, and nation.
Format
Kickoff Session: The introduction of basic innovation concepts and business case development, including the construction of a value proposition, testing and validating assumptions with customer/stakeholder discovery, and communicating the vision for the innovation through problem identification.
Check-point Webinars: Weekly check-point webinars and office hours are built into the program to check your understanding of critical development concepts – such as conducting a market analysis, basic revenue/sustainability model, intellectual property, regulatory considerations, and others – in advance of project team presentations.
Final Session: Project teams finish the course by delivering a final business case presentation – including all the concepts taught as a weekly progression during the course – for constructive feedback and identification of next step resources.
- Problem Identification
- Proposing the Solution
- Identified Stakeholders/Customers
- The Value Proposition
- Preliminary Market Analysis
- Revenue Model/Medical Reimbursement
- Intellectual Property
- Regulatory Considerations
- Development Timeline & Resources
The Innovators
The course has helped many life science innovators, including faculty clinicians and researchers, administrative staff, and medical and life science trainees from within the University of Michigan, across the state, region, and nation.
Course Results
Since 2014, the FFMI fastPACE course has supported the development of many innovations and project team members. Long-term results include the successful implementation, license, or business startup for many course graduates. More immediate results include:
- Securing development funding (e.g., translational research funds, innovation grants, pitch competitions, etc.)
- Finding development partners (e.g., prototyping, testing, business, etc.)
- Becoming integrated with a vibrant innovation ecosystem of resources at the University of Michigan
Enrollment
Fall 2026 FFMI fastPACE Dates
(All times are Eastern Standard Time)
Thursday, October 1: Virtual Kickoff Event, 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Thursday, October 8: Virtual Checkpoint, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday, October 15: Virtual Checkpoint, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday, October 22: Virtual Checkpoint, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday, October 29: No Class (work on business case, attend optional office hours)
Thursday, November 5: Virtual Final Event, 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Spring 2027 Dates Coming Soon
Questions?
Contact Us
Fast Forward Medical Innovation
University of Michigan Medical School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
