Loading...

Course Description

NSF I-Corps Regional Courses are for university researchers in STEM fields, student entrepreneurs, and early-stage startup founders who are interested in exploring the market potential of a deep technology innovation on which they've been working and learning entrepreneurial skills. Participants study how to “get out of your comfort zone” and talk to potential customers.

 

The goal is for participants to determine whether they are solving a real-world problem with a sizable market opportunity. In addition to providing entrepreneurial training, this program helps researchers identify new ways to apply their current or future research to solve real-life challenges.

 

The course runs for one month and includes a set of self-directed online learning activities, six class meetings (one to two hours long), and two 1:1 instructor check-ins (15 to 20 minutes), all conducted via Zoom.

 

Teams of one to three people can apply. Eight to ten teams will be selected per class. Each team is expected to conduct 30 customer discovery interviews.

 

During the first week, teams discover how to:

  • Identify their top customer segments.
  • Develop hypotheses about the value proposition they offer each customer segment.
  • Find and effectively interview potential customers about their problems and needs.
 

Over the subsequent two and a half weeks, teams conduct 30 customer discovery interviews by video or phone conference and join two check-in calls with instructors to share progress and receive coaching.

 

In the final class, teams present their findings, receive more coaching, learn about other local entrepreneurship programs, and receive additional information on applying for the national I-Corps Teams program and SBIR/STTR grants.

Loading...
Thank you for your interest in this course. Unfortunately, the course you have selected is currently not open for enrollment. Please complete a Course Inquiry so that we may promptly notify you when enrollment opens.
Required fields are indicated by .