The Polsky Center I-Corps Program is a National Science Foundation-funded entrepreneurial program for teams working on ideas in the science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) fields. Teams including faculty, students, staff and alumni from the University of Chicago and Chicago-area universities may apply for the program. No previous business or entrepreneurship experience is required. Through highly-experiential learning at the local and national levels, I-Corps teams learn how to assess “technology-problem fit,” the first critical step in the commercialization process.

Learning Objectives

• Develop familiarity with Lean LaunchPad concepts and tools such as customer discovery, ecosystem mapping, and the Business Model Canvas.
• Understand customers’ problems (“pain points”) from THEIR perspective.
• Map your customer ecosystem to understand customer roles, requirements, and decision processes.
• Build connections to the commercial ecosystem (i.e. customers, suppliers, funders) for your innovation.

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)
• Improve the odds for commercial success.
• Expand your network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors.
• Prepare for applying to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR) programs.

Course Schedule

Application Deadline: Friday, September 6, 3:00pm CT

• October 18, 9:30 – 11:30am CT
• October 25, 9:30 – 11:30am CT
• November 8, 9:30 – 11:30am CT
• November 22, 9:30 – 11:30am CT
• December 6, 9:30am – 12:00pm CT