UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE I-CORPS

The Milwaukee I-Corps Program, an affiliate of the NSF I-Corps Hub of Great Lakes Region, helps researchers and academic entrepreneurs explore viability of their research discoveries and/or technologies through the “Lean Launch” process of direct engagement with the potential markets in a series of online workshops. The program, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), is a collaboration among five Milwaukee academic institutions: Concordia University of Wisconsin, Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee along with the UWM Research Foundation. In addition to exploring markets and the “problem-solution fit” participants will also gain important professional development skills and industry contacts.

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

  • 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)

2026 Cohorts

The program consists of one pre-meeting with your team and five group in-person workshops at the UWM’s Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, 2100 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee, WI, 53211, on Monday evenings.
Group workshops will provide a mix of short format instruction, team exercises and report outs. Teams will conduct stakeholder interviews, complete exercises, and other materials outside of the Monday night sessions. Teams must commit to attending each of the IN-PERSON workshops.
  • Fall 2026
    • 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16
    • Class sessions 5pm CT – 7pm CT
    • *In-person attendance required. Location: Lubar Entrepreneurship Center at UW-Milwaukee
    • Registration is open for the Fall cohort.
Registration for the Fall Cohort is open!

Registration Deadline: October 12

  • Free Cohort
  • October 19 – November 16, 2026
  • Class sessions on Mondays, at 5pm CT
Apply

Questions can be directed to Ilya Avdeev, [email protected]

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