April 14 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm CST
Enroll in this free innovation bootcamp focused on customer discovery. I-Corps is designed to equip participants with skills for designing products and services that benefit customers. Gain insights for developing a strategy to transition technology from lab to market. The course provides structured lectures and best practices to support teams in engaging with customers effectively.
SCHEDULE
Monday, April 14 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm CST
Monday, April 21 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
Monday, April 28 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
Monday, May 5 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
Monday, May 12 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
Monday, May 19 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
Application deadline for this cohort is Sunday, March 30th.
Learning Objectives
- Develop and test customer hypotheses and problem hypotheses
- Build an understanding of Learn Launchpad concepts such as customer discovery, ecosystem mapping and value proposition
- Map your customer ecosystem to understand customer roles, key players and how decisions are made
- Conduct 20+ customer discovery interviews
- Build connections with the commercial ecosystem, including customers, suppliers, and funders, for innovation.
Program Benefits
- Gain eligibility for the NSF I-Corps National Program and $50,000 grant for qualifying technologies and teams (only deep-tech, university-based teams who complete at least 20 customer discovery interviews)
- Increase chances of receiving commercialization grants such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
- Gain valuable market insight to inform the next steps for creating impact from your idea
- Gain an exceptional professional development experience appropriate for any career path—academic, industry, startup or other
- Expand your network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors.
- Learn, practice and hone your innovation skills
- Participant Support Funding – depending on your university affiliation, Entrepreneurial Leads may be eligible for $1,000 to be used towards your customer discovery efforts
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Corey Kratcha
Corey is the co-founder and CEO of c2renew. C2renew is a material designer and custom compounder utilizing proprietary bio-composite formulations to meet a wide range of engineering specifications. Corey is also the co-founder and CEO of c2sensor, a sister company of c2renew, developing biodegradable SEED sensors for precision farming.
Heidi Bell
Heidi Bell, Ph.D., is Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Performance Studies, and Manager of the Human Performance Laboratory at Wichita State University. Her research in clinical exercise physiology and orofacial myology has drawn international recognition and been showcased on NPR’s Science Friday with Ira Flatow. Over the past 30+ years she has developed a systematic and interdisciplinary network conducting collaborative research focused on exercise physiology, orofacial myology, neurocognition, biomechanics and functional performance. Dr. Bell has led and published FDA regulated product validation and test-retest reliability research, in addition to, physiological, neurocognitive and functional performance work. Her entrepreneurial background has further led to three start-up companies, development of several products, secured intellectual property, and established a platform to mentor students aspiring to be the next generation of researchers.
Gary Brooking
Gary is the inaugural Chair and Professor of the Applied Engineering program, where he provides hands-on learning experience. He is passionate about fostering curiosity in students and equipping them with skills to make an impact in a changing society. Gary thrives in startup environments and has successfully established new academic programs, departments, and several for-profit startup companies—often in collaboration with students. He has a background in electrical and biomedical engineering, which is the lens through which he views most problems. In his spare time, he enjoys remodeling homes and he and his wife are partners in a student-focused real estate and rental company.