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 20-30 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
- Fall 2026
- Asynchronous Program Phase
- Start: 9/14/26
- Deadline to complete: 9/25/26
- Synchronous Virtual Workshops
- 10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13
- Class sessions 10am ET – 12pm ET
- Registration is open for the fall cohort.
- Asynchronous Program Phase
Registration for the Fall Cohort is open!
Registration Deadline: September 12
- Free, Virtual Cohort
- Open to all Midwest innovators and researchers
- September 14 – November 13, 2026
- Class sessions on Fridays, at 10am ET
