Countdown to Launch with I-Corps

Welcome to NSF I-Corps

NSF I-Corps is the National Science Foundation's flagship program that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. It's designed to help researchers, inventors, and aspiring entrepreneurs transform their scientific and technological discoveries into viable, marketable products or services.

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I-Corps Desert and Pacific Region Hub Logo

Tech Launch Arizona's Role in the Desert and Pacific Region Hub

As the driving force behind innovation and technology commercialization at the University of Arizona, Tech Launch Arizona plays a pivotal role in the Desert and Pacific Region I-Corps Hub. Together, we are your Countdown to Launch partners in the region, offering:

  • Training and mentorship for researchers and entrepreneurs.
  • Funding opportunities and grants to support your innovation journey.
  • Access to a vast network of industry experts.
  • Assistance with customer discovery, market validation, and technology commercialization.

Our Mission

Our mission is to bridge the gap between academia and industry, connecting brilliant minds with real-world impact. We provide resources, mentorship, and funding to empower individuals and teams to move their innovations from the lab to the marketplace.

Upcoming Cohorts

Desert and Pacific Region I-Corps Hub Cohorts

Dates for the 2024 Desert and Pacific Region I-Corps Hub Cohorts are LIVE!  

  • Cohort 1: Jan 12 to Feb 9
  • Cohort 2: Feb 23 to Mar 22
  • Cohort 3: Apr 5 to May 3
  • Cohort 4: May 17 to Jun 14
  • Cohort 5: Jun 28 to Aug 2 (off Jul 5)
  • Cohort 6: Aug 16 to Sep 13
  • Cohort 7: Sep 27 to Oct 25
  • Cohort 8: Nov 8 to Dec 13 (off Nov 29) 

Each cohort is fully remote and consists of one one-hour info session followed by four three-hour class sessions.  All hub-led cohorts meet on FRIDAYS at noon AZ time.

APPLY HERE for any of the 2024 Hub Cohorts

Information Sessions are also scheduled.  Go to the Desert and Pacific Region Hub Events page for more information and to sign up.


Social Innovation Cohort hosted by the University of Arizona

Are you a creative thinker or visionary who is driven by a deep commitment to addressing pressing social challenges and who has a strong desire to change the world?  Join the Catalyzing Change I-Corps Cohort for Social Innovation hosted by the University of Arizona!  January 30 through February 27.  


Sustainability Cohort hosted by the University of California San Diego

NSF I-Corps Sustainability will train innovators who are developing products and services for our sustainable future.  This 4-session regional training program provides a hands-on, high-impact, and fast-paced opportunity for innovators to learn to commercialize their sustainability technology. Open to teams from every Desert and Pacific Hub member institution.

Orientation:  Monday, January 22, 2024
4 Session Training Dates: Thursdays, Jan 25- Feb 22, 2024

Apply now! (Until January 19, 2024)

For more information, contact Joyce Tiglao jtiglao@ucsd.edu or download this 


 

Key Components of NSF I-Corps

1. The Team

Teams are usually comprised of an Entrepreneurial Lead, a Technical Lead (Principal Investigator), and Mentor. While required for national I-Corps teams, a 3-person team is not mandatory for regional training, and teams with 1 or 2 members are encouraged to apply.

  • The Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) could be a Post-Doctoral scholar, graduate or other student or other personnel with relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigate the commercial landscape surrounding the innovation.
  • The Technical Lead (TL) will typically be a faculty member, senior research scientist or postdoctoral scholar with deep and direct technical expertise in the actual core technology about which the I-Corps team is exploring commercial potential. Typically the Technical Lead will also serve as the proposal Principal Investigator (PI).
  • The I-Corps Teams Mentor (IM) will typically be an experienced entrepreneur with proximity to the institution and experience in transitioning technology out of Academic labs. The I-Corps Mentor will be responsible for advising the team through the I-Corps process and helping the team navigate the business ecosystem in the specific application area(s). 

2. Curriculum

Our comprehensive curriculum provides participants with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the commercialization process successfully. This includes customer discovery, business models, and value propositions.

3. Customer Discovery

The heart of the program is learning directly from potential customers through interviews and feedback, a crucial step in understanding market needs.

4. Funding

NSF I-Corps offers non-compensatory funding to support your journey from idea to product, helping you take the necessary steps to move your innovation forward.

 

How to Get Involved

Whether you're a researcher, student, or a potential industry mentor, find out how to get involved with NSF I-Corps and Tech Launch Arizona. Start your Countdown to Launch toward innovation and entrepreneurship by contacting Taylor Silverstein with the Desert and Pacific Region Hub or Aileen Dingus with Tech Launch Arizona for more information.

 

 


Need help or answers regarding I-Corps? Let us know, we're here to help.

Taylor Silverstein
Taylor.B.Silverstein@ASU.edu

Aileen Dingus
AileenD@TLA.Arizona.edu
 

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 2229385. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.