Innovation Corps (I-Corps) enables teams of scientists, researchers and engineers to explore the commercial potential of their research or innovation. By learning how to asses commercialization opportunities, teams gain better understanding of their market, customers, competitors and industry. 

Students, faculty and staff interested in translating their innovation research into commercial ventures are strongly encouraged to apply.

SUMMER II, 2020

July 15 - August 12 

Applications Are Now Open

  APPLY   NOW

Fall  2020 Cohort will meet virtually

• Opening session: Wednesday July 15, 2020 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
• Mid program check-up: Tuesday July 28, 2020 from 10:00am - 1:00pm MDT
• Closing session: Wednesday August 12, 2020 from 10:00am - 1:00pm MDT 

SUMMER I, 2020

June 3 - June 23 

Applications Are Now Open

 Summer 2020 Cohort will meet virtually

• Opening session: Wednesday June 3, 2020 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
• Mid program check-up: Friday June 12, 2020 from 10:00am - 1:00pm MDT
• Closing session: Tuesday June 23, 2020 from 10:00am - 1:00pm MDT 

Benefits of Participation

• Teams will gain a better understanding of their market, customers, competitors, and industry.
• During the intense 3 week program, you will receive mentorship, coaching from NSF Instructors, and $3,500 for participant support.
• Validate your business model
• Achieve eligibility to apply for $50,000 I-Corps team grant

What You Will Learn

• Validation of the business model and product-market fit.
• Spend time outside the building talking to customers, partners, and competitors.
• Testing business hypotheses.

Team Composition 

• Teams have three primary members
  
  • Entrepreneurial Lead (EL): could be a Post-Doctoral scholar, graduate or other student or other personnel with relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigate the commercial landscape surrounding the innovation. The EL should also be capable and have the will to support the transition of the technology, should the I-Corps project demonstrate the potential for commercial viability.
  • Principal Investigator (PI): will typically be a faculty member, senior research scientist or postdoctoral scholar with deep and direct technical expertise in the actual core technology. Will be responsible for overall project management. The PI must have an academic appointment. 
  •  Business Mentor (M):  will typically be an experienced entrepreneur with proximity to the institution and experience in transitioning technology out of Academic labs. The I-Corps Mentor must be a third-party resource and may be recommended by the proposing institution. The I-Corps Mentor will be responsible for advising the team through the I-Corps process and helping the team navigate the business ecosystem in the specific application area(s).

We can assist you filling up the missing roles

Projects

• Projects can originate from student work, research, institutional, or industrial projects.
• Typical focus of a project must be in an area(s) of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) normally supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

If you have any questions, please contact us at any time:

• General inbox: loyacenter@utep.edu
• Maria Fernanda Fiscal mffiscalcenteno@utep.edu