NSF Mid-South
I-Corps Hub Regional Program
Have you developed technology in the lab that may have a commercial application? Join the NSF Innovation Corps Program to engage with customers and explore market potential!
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is a partnering institution in the NSF Mid-South I-Corps Hub, along with Vanderbilt University, George Mason University, University of Kentucky, Jackson State University, University of Louisville, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, University of Arkansas and the University of Virginia. Together, the NSF Mid-South I-Corps Hub offers education and other support to introduce the regional research community to the National I-Corps Program.
The Regional I-Corps program at UT enables the transformation of invention to impact through a virtual, interactive training program that runs for five weeks. It includes four training sessions, a pitch day, weekly office hours, and completion of at least 20 customer interviews.
I-Corps program details
Benefits
UT I-Corps participants receive access to multiple benefits to assist with technical development and commercialization of these innovations.
- Collaboration with ORIED and other sponsoring organizations, including the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, UT Research Foundation, UT Spark Innovation Center, and the UT Oak Ridge Innovation Institute
- Knowledgeable instructors with firsthand experience in technology commercialization
- Insight and perspective into buying decisions made by prospective customers
- Application recommendations for an NSF I-Corps National Cohort, with a potential $50,000 grant award and the opportunity for 100 additional customer interviews
- Substantial increase in potential for SBIR / STTR grant awards
About the NSF National I-Corps Program
The Innovation Corps (I-Corps) was created in 2011 by the National Science Foundation to support technology researchers as they move innovation beyond the lab and into the marketplace. These programs equip researchers and entrepreneurs with tools to validate their value proposition through a data-driven approach that transforms technical ideas into impactful solutions.
Workshops include a hands-on introduction to the process of customer discovery designed to provide insight into how future customers will respond to products developed by the new venture.
The National I-Corps Program applies a scientific method to the development of business models that can support the translation of new technologies to commercial markets. This intensive 7-week program is based on Steve Blank’s award-winning Lean Launch curriculum.
National Team Composition
Each team participating in the National I-Corps Program must have at least 3 members. If you do not have a team, the UT I-Corps team will provide guidance and support to help you form a team.
Principal Investigator/Technical Lead – Principal Investigator or Technical Lead with a background in the specific area of technology being pursued.
Entrepreneurial Lead – A person designated to perform most of the ‘boots on the ground’ work during the program. The EL will conduct customer interviews and be the primary presenter during regional program events and meetings.
Business Mentor – Someone with a background in business formation, startup, technology transfer, etc. UT will offer support in identifying business mentors and locating individuals to participate as I-Corps mentors, if needed.
For further information, please reach out to our UT I-Corps team at [email protected] or [email protected].
Get started with I-Corps
Ready to explore the commercial potential of your research? Join the NSF Mid-South I-Corps Hub Regional Program at UT and take the first step toward bringing your innovation to market.
For other questions, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].