Top researchers from across the US apply to I-Corps Teams, an intensive seven-week innovation and entrepreneurship training course with mentoring and up to $50,000 in NSF funding. Selected teams complete over 100 customer discovery interviews to collect first-hand evidence for or against product-market fit.
National I-Corps Program
I-Corps team members work through the I-Corps Curriculum together, learning what it takes to successfully transfer knowledge into products and processes that benefit society.
I-Corps Teams by the numbers
From 2012-2020, I-Corps has had:
100+ Cohort Trainings:
Resulting in:
I-Corps participant benefits
- Learn to identify valuable product opportunities that can emerge from academic research
- Gain entrepreneurship skills through training in customer discovery and guidance from established entrepreneurs
- Up to $50,000 in funding to do customer discovery research
- Stronger application for SBIR/STTR grants (up to $1.5 million)
Upcoming National Cohort Dates
2022 cohorts will be held virtually. NSF will update participants with more information.
In I-Corps, researchers learn how to get out of their comfort zone and talk with customers to learn how to evaluate a market opportunity.
The UNY I-Corps Node
Since launching in 2017, our Node has continued to grow and expand — reaching more researchers and startups at more universities and cities, and helping them prepare for, and participate in the national I-Corps Teams program.
90
teams sent to the National program
51
mentors matched with teams
18
universities represented
I-Corps Team requirements
- Deep tech innovation with commercialization potential
- Relevant NSF award (current or expired <5 years)
- Full I-Corps™ team in place at initial contact
- Ability to make serious time commitment
- Entire team must be available for workshops (kick off and closing) and weekly online calls
Frequently Asked Questions
Program overview
Kick off
3 days
7 weeks: Customer discovery interviews
1x/week: Online check-in & lesson
View Upcoming Dates
2022 I-Corps cohorts will be held virtually.
Lessons Learned
2 days