The Innovation-Corps (I-Corps) program is a vital part of the National Science Foundation’s mission to create and support a national innovation network. I-Corps Hubs bring together institutions of higher education to collaborate and deliver a standardized curriculum. This program offers training to university researchers and community innovators who are interested in entrepreneurship education and mentoring, with the ultimate goal of reducing the time it takes to transform technologies from the laboratory to the market.
I-Corps training provides hands-on, practical instruction that enables scientists and engineers to assess the commercial potential of their technology, a critical initial step in successfully converting them into products, processes, and services that have a positive impact on society. The Great Plains Regional I-Corps Hub partners with eleven universities in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Kansas and Wyoming. The partner universities bring together the expertise of researchers and university resources to connect the entrepreneurial spirit with the national technology ecosystem.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Anyone committed to exploring the commercial potential of an idea can apply! However, you may improve your outcomes by building a team with these 3 roles:
Entrepreneurial Lead – An undergraduate or graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, or community innovator who leads the team and is committed to conducting customer interviews and reporting insights throughout the program.
Technical Lead – A technical expert, faculty member, staff member, advisor, researcher, or business partner who supports the team by offering deep knowledge of the core product or technology being explored.
Industry Mentor – An individual with entrepreneurial, industry, or commercialization experience who guides the team by offering insight into real-world applications, market fit, and customer engagement.
What are the program benefits?
The I-Corps program’s benefits go beyond creating a business plan or an NSF proposal. Participants gain practical experience in customer discovery, which is a critical stage in the entrepreneurial process that involves engaging with potential customers, partners, and other industry stakeholders. These interviews enable the team to assess their innovation’s commercial potential and pave the way for successful product and/or service translation.
Since the I-Corps’ launch, more than 1,000 startups have emerged, raising over $760 million in funding. Participants have explored numerous opportunities after completing the program, including launching startups, conducting research that is more user-driven, and pursuing licensing or knowledge transfers.
