MBA Capstone
What is the UCLA Biodesign MBA Capstone?
Established in 2019, the UCLA Biodesign MBA Capstone provides UCLA Anderson MBA students with immersive training in healthcare technology innovation, venture creation, and product development.
The program fulfills the UCLA Anderson School of Management Business Creation Capstone (BCC) requirements through enrollment in MGMT 428A and 428B.
The UCLA Biodesign MBA Capstone is open to students enrolled in the Full-Time MBA (FTMBA), Fully Employed MBA (FEMBA), and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs at UCLA Anderson.
Applications are Due June 30, 2026 (see below)
Three Pathways within the UCLA Biodesign MBA Capstone
Students may participate in the program through one of three tracks depending on their experience, goals, and stage of venture development.
1. Biodesign Team Capstone - Existing Anderson Teams
Designed for already-formed Anderson MBA teams pursuing a healthcare-focused Business Creation Capstone venture.
Teams enter the program with an existing concept, technology, or business idea and leverage UCLA Biodesign’s clinical immersion model to validate unmet clinical needs, refine product-market fit, and accelerate venture development.
Teams participate in:
- Clinical immersion and frontline shadowing at UCLA Health
- Direct engagement with clinicians, hospital leaders, and patients
- Product validation and customer discovery
- Venture mentorship from industry and domain experts
- Pitch opportunities with investors and innovation leaders
- Access to prototyping, testing, and innovation resources
During winter and spring quarters, teams apply insights from clinical immersion interviews and mentorship to strengthen their product strategy, business model, and commercialization pathway.
Applicants apply as a team and submit a business creation proposal with their application.
2. Biodesign Team Formation Capstone - Students Seeking a Team or Venture
Designed for Anderson MBA students who want to participate in the Business Creation Capstone but are not yet part of a venture team or are a team looking to start a venture with a UCLA Health clinician.
Students in this track are matched with existing Biodesign Accelerator fellows and healthcare innovation projects based on experience, interests, and team fit.
Participants gain:
- Hands-on exposure to healthcare innovation and venture creation
- Interdisciplinary collaboration with clinicians, engineers, and designers
- Clinician shadowing within UCLA Health
- Structured mentorship and advisor support
- Opportunity to join pre-venture teams and co-founders.
This track is ideal for students seeking to build innovation experience while joining an established or newly forming team within the UCLA Biodesign ecosystem.
3. UCLA Biodesign Discovery Fellowship
The UCLA Biodesign Discovery Fellowship is the program’s immersive innovation track and is designed for Anderson MBA students seeking deep training in the full healthcare innovation process: from unmet need identification to solution development and company formation.
Unlike traditional capstone team structures, MBA Fellows join interdisciplinary teams composed of physicians, nurses, engineers, scientists, and other graduate trainees from across UCLA.
Fellows participate in:
- Intensive clinical immersion experiences
- Unmet need identification and validation
- Concept generation and rapid prototyping
- Market analysis and commercialization strategy
- Venture creation and pitch development
- Cross-functional collaboration within interdisciplinary innovation teams
The Fellowship includes a limited number of positions each year, and MBA Fellows receive a quarterly stipend.
Shared Program Experience Across all Tracks
All UCLA Biodesign MBA Capstone participants:
- Enroll in MGMT 428A and 428B for Anderson Business Creation Capstone credit
- Participate in the annual UCLA Biodesign Bootcamp held prior to fall quarter
- Receive faculty and advisor mentorship
- Gain access to clinical immersion experiences at UCLA Health
- Engage directly with healthcare leaders, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and investors
- Participate in pitch events, conferences, and innovation programming throughout the year
UCLA Biodesign utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to solving complex healthcare challenges. Biodesign teams consistently place in UCLA entrepreneurial competitions and have been recognized nationally through programs including the National Science Foundation I-Corps program and national healthcare innovation competitions.
How to Apply?
Interested applicants and Capstone participants should apply via email to biodesign@mednet.ucla.edu by July 15, 2026 and be available for the UCLA Biodesign Bootcamp, September 16–25, 2026.
Applications should include:
- CV or resume
- Team member information (required for Team Capstone - Existing Anderson Teams applicants)
- Project proposal (required for Team Capstone - Existing Anderson Teams applicants)
Applicants without an existing project may apply through the Team Formation Capstone track and be matched with a UCLA Biodesign team or innovation project.