This virtual workshop, lasting five weeks and offered free of charge, follows proven strategies for entrepreneurial success. It is available to grad students, research faculty, and staff. With the guidance of NSF I-Corps trained instructors and the JPEC Mentors, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of their target customers and market landscape. This workshop will give participants an introduction to the Lean Launchpad methodology and familiarize them with the Business Model Canvas and customer discovery. After the program, participants are encouraged to apply for the national level with the NSF I-Corps program where you can be eligible to be awarded up to $50,000 in funding.

Learning Objectives

• Familiarize oneself with Lean LaunchPad concepts and tools like customer discovery, ecosystem mapping, and the Value Proposition Canvas.
• Understanding customers’ problems (“pain points”) from their perspective.
• Mapping the customer ecosystem to comprehend customer roles, requirements, and decision processes.
• Establishing connections with the commercial ecosystem, including customers, suppliers, and funders, for innovation.

Course Benefits

• Exploring pathways to startup launch.
• Evaluating the potential of research discoveries or technologies.
• Discovering the societal impact of innovations as usable technologies.
• Enhancing research proposals for securing funding.
• Obtaining eligibility to apply for $50,000 grant from the National NSF I-Corps team grant.

Course Schedule

All meetings will be held virtually on Zoom, Fridays from 9-11am CT.

• April 4
• April 11
• April 18
• April 25
• May 2

Please fill out the registration form. Questions can be directed to Shannon Henderson, Shannon-henderson@uiowa.edu.