You’ve identified a specific innovation that you think you may want to commercialize. Now what? The University of Minnesota Value Proposition Design program applies the Lean Startup approach and Customer Discovery methods to specific innovations. External industry executives, as well as experts from the Office for Technology Commercialization, the UMN Libraries, and the Carlson School of Management, will be available to help.

You’ll learn and apply the Lean LaunchPad customer development concepts promoted by the NSF I-Corps program. Successful completion of this program by academic teams or ventures with university-licensed technologies can lead to qualification for recommendation to the National I-Corps Teams program, which includes a $50,000 grant.

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

• 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 TTP 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

• Spring 2026
  • 3/20, 3/27, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1
  • Class sessions 1pm – 3pm CT
  • *In-person attendance required. Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Registration for the spring cohort is closed.
• Summer 2026
  • 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16
  • Class sessions 1pm – 3pm CT
  • *In-person attendance required. Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Registration is closed for the summer cohort.
• Fall 2026
  • 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6
  • Class sessions 1pm – 3pm CT
  • *In-person attendance required. Location: Minneapolis, MN
  • Registration is open for the fall cohort.

Registration for the Fall Cohort is open!

• Free Cohort
• Open to all Midwest innovators and researchers
• September 25 – November 6, 2026
• Class sessions on Fridays, at 1pm CT
• *In-Person Attendance required:
  • Bruininks Hall
    222 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455