Working on or Considering a Technology-based Startup?
Explore taking your new technology to the marketplace
Get free training, support, and up to $1,500 to identify customers
Learn how to apply for up to $50,000 from the NSF
Increase your chances of receiving an SBIR/STTR award
NE I-Corps is partnering with URI Research Foundation and Venture Mentoring Service of RI to offer a free, 3-week program from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to help researchers and engineers explore the potential applications of their new technologies.
Program Dates:
Program Kick-Off: June 5, 2019 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Final Presentations: June 26, 2019 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: URI Campus in Kingston, RIHow it works:
The interactive course begins with an in-person evening kickoff workshop where teams learn how to:
- Identify their top customer segments
- Develop hypotheses about the value proposition they offer each segment
- Find and effectively interview potential customers about their problems/needs
Over the next two weeks, teams will speak with 12 potential customers. Each week they have an office hour call with instructors to check-in and receive coaching.
The program wraps-up with a final in-person evening workshop where teams present their findings, get more coaching, and learn about progressing their ideas. Teams that complete this part of the program may apply for a $1,500 micro-grant to conduct additional customer discovery. The goal is to determine if they are solving a real-world problem with a viable market opportunity.
This short program is excellent preparation for the many other entrepreneurial opportunities in Rhode Island.
Who it’s for:
Your I-Corps project must be based on new, innovative, and differentiating technology that could be a candidate for a future SBIR proposal. The program is open to individuals and teams;
- Current faculty, postdocs, students and staff at any university
- Anyone else working on a serious STEM-related technology
Apply
here no later than May 20, 2019.
