The Milwaukee I-Corps Program, an affiliate of the NSF I-Corps Hub of Great Lakes Region, helps researchers and academic entrepreneurs explore viability of their research discoveries and/or technologies through the “Lean Launch” process of direct engagement with the potential markets in a series of online workshops. The program, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is a collaboration among five Milwaukee academic institutions: Concordia University of Wisconsin, Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee along with the UWM Research Foundation. In addition to exploring markets and the “problem-solution fit” participants will also gain important professional development skills and industry contacts.

Course Benefits

• Become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program and $50,000 grant for qualifying technologies and teams (only deep-tech, university-based teams who complete at least 20-30 customer discovery interviews)
• Increase chances of receiving commercialization grants such as PFI-TT or SBIR/STTR
• Gain valuable market insight to inform the next steps for creating impact from your idea
• Gain an exceptional professional development experience appropriate for any career path—academic, industry, startup or other
• Expand your network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors.
• Learn, practice and hone your innovation skills

Course Schedule

Applications are now closed. Questions can be directed to Ilya Avdeev, [email protected].