February 23 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm CST
By participating in this I-Corps cohort, your team will learn how to use the scientific method to validate the translational potential of your technology. This is about equipping your team with tools to translate research into solutions that matter. Regional I-Corps offers a unique opportunity to begin assessing the value proposition of your technology by helping researchers explore how their technology can create real-world impact and think beyond the lab.
Schedule
- Session 1: Monday, February 23, 4pm – 6pm CST
- Session 2: Monday, March 2, 4pm – 6pm CST
- Session 3: Monday, March 9, 4pm – 6pm CST
- Session 4: Monday, March 23, 4pm – 6pm CST
- Session 5: Monday, March 30, 4pm – 6pm CST
Why Participate?
I-Corps can open doors to new partnerships, funding opportunities, and pathways for broader societal impact. If your team is ready to take your discoveries beyond the lab, I-Corps is the next step.
Program Details
Teams should include an Entrepreneurial Lead, Technical Lead, and Industry Mentor (preferred).
- An Entrepreneurial Lead is often a graduate student in their research team. Postdoctoral fellows may serve as either the Technical or Entrepreneurial Lead.
- The Technical Lead is typically a faculty researcher/inventor
- Industry mentors are strongly encouraged and can be provided upon request. They do not need to be sector-specific.
5-week virtual program requirements
- 8-10 hours/week (includes 2 hours class time + 30-minute coaching meeting)
- Attend and actively engage in all cohort meetings
- Complete weekly homework
- Weekly 30-minute coaching meetings with your instructor
- 20+ customer discovery interviews
Participant support of $2k to the Entrepreneurial Lead is based on successful cohort participation. Successful participation in a Regional Hub cohort is now required prior to applying for I-Corps Nationals, which includes a $50k award.
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.
Ryan Rains
Ryan Rains, MBA, MA, is the Director of Entrepreneurship Co-Curricular Programming at the University of Kansas School of Business. He is also the co-founder of Rains Advisory and Consulting Services and a licensed commercial real estate professional with Foundations Commercial Real Estate. Ryan holds an Educator Lab Certificate through the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship and a Leadership Coaching Certificate through the Kansas Leadership Center. Before joining the University of Kansas, he worked in economic development. He brings a practical, real-world perspective to customer discovery, business model validation, and founder decision-making.