Registration for this cohort is closed. Questions can be directed to Emma Uren at euren@wisc.edu.
Do you want to translate your research into impactful real-world applications? Join UW-Madison’s Technology Entrepreneurship Office (TEO) for the 2024 Fall I-Corps progam! This free, six-week, non-credit, virtual workshop uses evidence-based strategies for achieving entrepreneurial success and is open to research faculty, staff, and students at any higher education institution. With help from NSF I-Corps trained instructors and the TEO Hi-Tech Mentor Network, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of their future customers and market ecosystem.
Course Benefits
In addition to gaining eligibility for the national program and $50,000 grant, participating in the 6-week course may:
- Increase your team’s ability to compete for other commercialization grants, e.g. NSF PFI (Partnerships for Innovation), SBIR/STTR, and NSF GOALI (Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry).
- Gain valuable market insight to inform the next steps for creating impact with your research.
- Gain unique professional development experience appropriate for a broad range of career paths, from academic to industry to startup.
- Expand your network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors
- Learn, practice, and hone your innovation skills.
Course Schedule
All events are held virtually.
- September 26 (4:45-7:00 pm CT) Workshop Orientation
- October 3 (4:45-7:00 pm CT) Value Proposition Canvas
- October 10 (4:45-7:00 pm CT) Hypothesis Testing and Interviewing
- October 17 (4:45-7:00 pm CT) Ecosystem Mapping
- October 24 (5:00-6:00 pm CT) Q&A Session (Optional)
- October 31 (4:45-7:30 pm CT) Presentations Session
This workshop will require a time commitment of approximately four-six hours/week, on average. This includes attending all required sessions, a minimum of four coaching sessions with an assigned team mentor, and a minimum of 20 customer discovery interviews (planning, scheduling, conducting interviews, and documenting the results to be shared with instructors and mentors).