The Milwaukee I-Corps Program, an affiliate of the NSF I-Corps Hub Great Lakes Region, helps researchers and academic entrepreneurs explore the viability of their research discoveries and/or technologies through the “Lean Launch” process of direct engagement with the potential markets.

Customer discovery is a central element of the Lean Launch methodology. In the course of this four-week program teams will have an opportunity to carry out face-to-face customer interviews to test their technology-problem fit hypotheses. NSF I-Corps programs enable participants to develop a new mindset (hypothesis-driven entrepreneurship) and to learn the art of business model iterative development.

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

]Please fill out the following registration form. Questions can be directed to Ilya Avdeev, avdeev@uwm.edu.