For Amie Norton, I-Corps was not about launching a startup right away. It was about understanding whether her research could translate into meaningful use outside of academic settings.
Entering the program as a faculty researcher, Amie wanted to explore how a laboratory-based technology might move toward application. Through I-Corps, she gained tools to test assumptions, engage potential customers, and determine whether her innovation addressed an actual need.
Turning Eggshell Waste Into Opportunity
Amie’s research focuses on using eggshell waste to create nanoscale materials with potential applications in agriculture and environmental systems. Eggshells are a widely available food waste product, and her work explores how this underutilized resource could be transformed into something functional and sustainable.
While the science behind the technology showed promise in controlled research settings, I-Corps challenged Amie to take the next step to validate whether this type of solution mattered to the people who might eventually use it.
Instead of limiting conversations to academic peers, Amie and her team began speaking with growers, industry professionals, and other stakeholders to understand how the technology might fit into existing practices and what factors influence adoption.
That process started with customer discovery, which initially felt daunting. “When you first told me 20 interviews, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh,’” she said. But those early conversations quickly shifted her perspective. “Once you start talking to people, it’s harder to ignore what they’re telling you.”
Through these interviews, Amie gained insight into practical constraints, operational challenges, and decision-making considerations. This feedback helped clarify how eggshell-based nanomaterials could realistically be positioned beyond the research environment.
“The interviews matter,” she said. “You learn quickly whether something is viable, or if there’s another direction you should be exploring.”
Building an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Amie also made a notable impact at Kansas State University by becoming the first faculty member in eight years to complete the I-Corps program.
For her, one of the biggest takeaways was the mindset shift that the program encouraged. “It really starts that mindset,” she explained. “You begin to think about needs and wants, not just what you can build in the lab.” That shift continues to shape how she approaches research, encouraging her to think earlier about application, scalability, and user value.
Rather than viewing I-Corps as a final step, Amie saw the program as a structured way to test early-stage research ideas before committing significant time and resources.
Through customer discovery, instructor guidance, and structured weekly milestones, the program provided a clear framework for evaluating whether a technology, even one rooted in highly technical research like nanomaterials, had a viable path forward.
“If you’re struggling with interviews or have questions, there’s always someone to help,” she said. “You’re not doing this alone.”
Moving Research Beyond the Lab
Amie’s experience shows that I-Corps is not limited to software or traditional startup ideas. Research involving materials science, sustainability, and waste reduction can benefit just as much from customer discovery and market validation.
By helping teams connect research with practical needs, I-Corps supports innovators across disciplines as they explore how their work can make an impact beyond the lab.