OSU I-CORPS
Training researchers
to be entrepreneurs
OSU’s National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) Program helps researchers
(students and faculty) find the commercial potential of their technology. The program
is funded by a $1.2 million grant over five years. OSU is one of nine universities that make up NSF's Southwest I-Corps Hub.
Program Overview
Program benefits
- Teams receive up to $3,000 in NSF funding for travel reimbursement and stipends to help you conduct 30 interviews.
- Gain eligibility to apply for an I-Corps $50,000 National Program.
- Develop entrepreneurial skills including how to engage customers.
- Discover your initial business model and product-market fit for use in commercialization plans like SBIR/STTR grants.
Cohort options
Next cohorts in 2025:
Fall Cohort #1
- Pre-Launch: September 23 | 1-2:30 p.m.
- Opening Workshop: September 30 | 1-5 p.m.
- Midterm Workshop: October 7 | 1-5 p.m.
- Coaching Week: Sign ups – October 13-17
- Closing Workshop: October 21 | 1-5 p.m.
Team composition
- A minimum of two people is required to make up an I-Corps team (entrepreneurial lead and technical lead) with a maximum of four members.
- The technical lead will typically be a faculty member, senior research scientist or postdoctoral scholar.
- The entrepreneurial lead is typically a student or other personnel with relevant knowledge of the technology.
Out of the lab. Into the marketplace.
The four-session I-Corps program focuses on customer discovery and understanding the unique values your technology brings to customers. Through weekly coaching feedback and 30 discovery interviews, you will take the first step toward developing a commercialization plan.
