Purdue University I-Corps

Purdue I-Corps: Discovery will help you explore the commercial viability of your deep tech innovation idea/IP. We teach the Lean LaunchPad approach, a process to help you systematically test key assumptions about your technology and the customer problems it might be able to solve better than current alternatives. This “technology-problem fit” assessment is the critical first step toward commercial success for any technology venture. These courses are for researchers and students with deep-tech IP and a strong interest in commercializing their technology. Researchers from other Midwest universities are welcome to apply.

Learning Objectives

Develop familiarity with Lean LaunchPad concepts and tools such as customer discovery, ecosystem mapping, and the Value Proposition 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.
Learn skills that can help you secure future innovation funding (SBIR/STTR).

Benefits of the Program

Receive a digital certificate upon course completion.
Gain valuable market insight to inform the next steps in your research and/or development.
Develop network connections and receive mentoring from experienced industry experts and entrepreneurs.
Develop the entrepreneurial mindset and toolset needed for a career in academia, industry, startups, or government.
Become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program and $50,000 grant. (Eligibility requirements apply. Contact us if you are interested in applying for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program)

Course Format

The Discovery Program will be conducted in two phases: an Asynchronous program and Synchronous Virtual workshops. Completing the asynchronous course is mandatory to advance to the Synchronous Virtual Workshops.

Asynchronous program phase:

Flexible Learning: Complete the course in approximately 4 hours, with two weeks from registration to finish.
Self-Paced Modules: Access resources anytime, anywhere.
Preparation for Success: Learn the fundamentals of I-Corps, Customer Discovery, and Business Model Generation to prepare for a local I-Corps program.

Synchronous Virtual Workshop phase:

During the synchronous workshop phase, you will conduct 30-40 customer discovery interviews, provide weekly summaries about customer discovery findings, estimate your market size, determine a commercialization pathway, and receive feedback and coaching from experienced instructors/mentors.

2026 Cohorts

Spring 2026
- Asynchronous Program Phase
  - Start: 2/2
  - Deadline to complete: 2/13
- Synchronous Virtual Workshops
  - 2/20, 2/27, 3/13, 3/27
  - Class sessions 9am ET – 11am ET
- Registration is closed for the spring cohort.
Summer 2026 – Health and Human Science I-Corps Cohort
- This cohort is tailored towards teams with a focus on Health and Human Science.
- Asynchronous Program Phase
  - Start: 5/11
  - Deadline to complete: 5/22
- Synchronous Virtual Workshops
  - 5/29, 6/5, 6/19, 7/3
  - Class sessions 9am ET – 11am ET
- Registration is open for this cohort.
Fall 2026
- Asynchronous Program Phase
  - Start: 9/21
  - Deadline to complete: 10/2
- Synchronous Virtual Workshops
  - 10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13
  - Class sessions 9am ET – 11am ET
- Registration is currently closed for the fall cohort.

Registration for the Health and Human Science Cohort is now closed.

Questions can be directed to Matthew Lynall, [email protected].

View Purdue I-Corps LinkedIn Page