nATIONAL I-CORPS
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program aims to equip scientists and engineers with the skills and knowledge required to transform their NSF-supported research into commercially viable products. Through extensive customer engagement, teams assess potential applications of their technology. The immersive seven-week program is designed to prevent the creation of a product without adequately identifying a need in the marketplace, which is the primary reason startups fail.
Teams composed of academic researchers, student entrepreneurs and business mentors participate in the curriculum through one of the NSF I-Corps™ Hubs. Throughout the seven-week program, teams are expected to complete a minimum of a hundred interviews with potential customers. For more information on the I-Corps program, visit the NSF I-Corps Teams page. For more information on the application process, click the apply button.
Benefits of the Program
- Understanding the value of your technology and its target audience.
- Identifying new markets for your technology that had not been previously considered.
- Build a network of peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors who share like-minded interests and goals.
- Adopt an accelerated approach to preventing wasting time, money, and resources.
- The program is supported by NSF-Certified I-Corps instructors and a $50,000 grant from the NSF.