NSF I-Corps at Binghamton University

NSF I-CORPS

Program Overview
If you’re a academic researcher, a tech inventor, or a startup founder, National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) is for you.  

The program empowers startup founders to transform their novel products into real-world impacts through experiential learning in technology commercialization. The NSF I-Corps courses help participants gain insights into industry needs and challenges, as well as accelerate the translation of research discoveries to products and services that benefit society.

As part of the  Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub, the Binghamton University partner program offers multiple Regional I-Corps Customer Discovery Courses per year. 

Benefits of Participation
Participants in the NSF I-Corps program will:

  • Explore pathways to transition their innovations to real-world applications.
  • Learn valuable customer discovery skills and connect with key industry stakeholders.
  • Eligibility to apply for up to  $3000 in micro-grant funding for customer and industry outreach, conference travel, and prototyping. 
  • Gain a better understanding of technology commercialization.
  • Explore essential considerations for launching a successful tech startup. 
  • Participate in innovation and entrepreneurship career development. 
  • Potentially qualify for the national-level I-Corps Teams Program ($50,000 grant) 

Program Structure
The month-long Regional I-Corps Courses include: 

  • Online curriculum modules and assignments in Canvas LMS;
  • 1-2 weekly online lecture sessions with instructors experienced in technology commercialization and startup entrepreneurship; 
  • 2 office hours sections with instructors; 
  • Experiential learning customer discovery interview assignments.  

Eligibility Criteria

I-Corps is designed for academic researchers and early-stage startup founders who are interested in exploring the market potential of their work and acquiring entrepreneurial skills. To qualify, the applicant team should: 

  • Have 1-3 members (faculty, staff, students, postdocs), who can commit to participating in all class sessions
  • Have a tech innovation or startup beyond the ideation stage with some
  • Be interested in learning about tech commercialization and entrepreneurship
  • While startups and community teams will be accepted, preference will be given to academic teams

Upcoming Courses:

I-Corps @ The Battery Show

Course Dates: September 16 -  October 16, 2024

Format: Hybrid course involving virtual sessions, in-person instruction, and customer discovery at the 2024 Battery Show North America

Description: The I-Corps @ The Battery Show Course is a hybrid program that provides researchers in the battery and energy storage space the opportunity to receive experiential customer discovery training at the premier battery industry event in North America. Participants will receive a combination of virtual and in-person instruction, while directly engaging with potential industry customers, partners, and other stakeholders. This course begins with online sessions and culminates in a trip to The Battery Show in Detroit, MI. Up to $5,000 in travel reimbursement is available for accepted teams. 

Apply by: Wednesday, August 21 

Apply Here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5134116 

I-Corps Regional Course

Course Dates: October 14 - November 13, 2024

Format: Virtual Course

Description: The I-Corps Regional Course provides researchers and innovators across disciplines experiential training in customer discovery, product-market fit, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization. 

Application Details:

Apply by Sept. 18, 2024

Apply here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5137166 

Program Team: 

headshot of Per Stromhaug

Per Stromhaug

Associate Vice President, Innovation and Economic Development

Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships; Research, Office of the Vice President for
BI 2105