The Regional I-Corps training at the University of North Dakota spans five weeks, offering a blended approach to assess the market potential of your technology. This program welcomes both researchers and entrepreneurs, the curriculum explores the commercial potential of deep technology solutions across any industry sector. It prepares researchers to extend their focus beyond the lab and consider the economic and societal impact of their work.
Participants in an I-Corps team should allocate roughly 8-10 hours weekly throughout the duration of the five-week program. Each team should include, at the very least, an entrepreneurial lead (EL) and a technical lead (TL).
For more information, contact info@gp-icorps.org
SCHEDULE
- Monday, February 26 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM CST
- Thursday, February 29 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM CST
- Monday, March 11 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM CST
- Monday, March 18 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM CST
- Monday, March 25 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM CST
- Thursday, April 4 | 1:00 – 4:00 PM CST
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Meet Tyler Sletten, an entrepreneur and business leader with a track record of success. Currently serving as the Director of Operations at Vorbeck Materials, he plays a pivotal role in the company’s expansion into North Dakota, showcasing leadership in securing venture capital funding and navigating the state’s many business programs.
Previously, he served as an Entrepreneur Consultant at the University of North Dakota’s Center for Innovation from 2017 to 2023. In this role, he jointly oversaw the investment of over $1 million biannually into startups via Innovate-ND, was the SBIR/STTR Director, and played a key role in creating Student-Run Enterprises, LLC, and the student startup program Runway. His innovative spirit is also reflected in his roles as Founder and Owner of Lone Tree, LLC and Sletten Logistics, LLC, both still in business, and since 2013.
Tyler holds a Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis from the University of North Dakota and degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Education. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Student Run Enterprises and enthusiastically participates in FIRST Robotics as a Judge. Tyler served nine years in the North Dakota National Guard.
Meet Sona Lesmeister, an entrepreneur, startup enthusiast and coach. In her current role of Entrepreneur Coach and Startup Specialist she has been coaching and mentoring students on their path to starting their own businesses. She has served as a connector between campus and the Center for Innovation, initiating conversations with students and faculty around innovation, entrepreneurship, and translation of the research activities into practical applications. She is the project lead for I-Corps program, as well as Runway, the UND accelerator. Additionally, she helps support entrepreneurs seeking SBIR/STTR funding. She has been running her direct sales consulting business (LifeVantage), as well as her coaching business (Stress Coach Sona), offering stress management and education services. She comes from the financial industry – banking (Gate City Bank), as well as the insurance industry (Allianz Life Insurance). In banking, her focus has been on elevating customer experience and growing relationships with customers, while during her corporate insurance years she focused on financial reporting and statutory accounting, but even there she managed to strengthen customer relationships and improve the outcomes of services provided.
Sona holds an MBA degree from Vysoka Skola Banska – Technicka Universita Ostrava, Czech Republic in Non-Profit Management and Public Administration. She has been serving as a president of a local business networking group, Grand Connectors Networking Group since 2022.