When Bella Peterson first joined the I-Corps program, she was a college student with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Through University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation, Bella connected with Russell Schell of RJ Energy Solutions to assist him with customer discovery throughout the 5-week program. Originally, their technology focused on repurposing wasted heat from commercial kitchens to improve

The NSF Great Plains I-Corps Hub has officially wrapped up its first Discovery 60 cohort, an intensive eight-week program designed to help researchers and entrepreneurs refine their business models, get to know their potential customers, and move closer toward commercialization. Discovery 60 builds upon participants’ earlier I-Corps experience by requiring 60+ customer discovery interviews, which is 3 times the number

The number one reason startups fail isn’t lack of funding or poor marketing. Startups often fail because they build something that no one wants. That truth can sting, especially when you’ve poured your time and energy into a business idea. But it’s also why the I-Corps process is so powerful. It forces us to pause, step back, and ask the

What started as a need to improve online learning for his personal computer science studies soon led Kian Ansarinajed and his sister Melika to think bigger. “Initially, I needed a platform with the features I wanted—that was my first step. But, as I talked with friends and proceeded with customer discovery, I learned about the common challenges people faced while

Summer tends to bring a natural pause to the academic and professional hustle. Calendars ease up, meetings slow down, and for many researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, this quieter season can open the door to something important: time to focus.  If you’ve been sitting on an idea—maybe it’s a research project with potential, a side concept you haven’t had the time

The Great Plains Hub celebrated its second year in 2024, marked by exponential growth and significant milestones. The Hub expanded the number of cohorts offered compared to its inaugural year and hosted its first National I-Corps Program. Additionally, the Hub welcomed the University of Montana as a new partner institution, and connected with three potential institutional partners, with formal partnerships

When Dr. Cathy Off and her team joined I-Corps, they were still discovering how to develop and market a technology that would enhance the lives of stroke survivors with aphasia. Learn more about their journey!