I-Corps At GW

U.S. National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps™) is an immersive training program that facilitates the transformation of research into societal impact.

NSF I-Corps™ is based on the evidenced-based entrepreneurship methodologies of Lean Startup, which have been deemed by NSF to be the most effective way to build the "entrepreneurial mindset." GW OIE has served in the NSF I-Corps™ since its inception in 2013.

NSF I-Corps™ programs at GW include the Lean Start Up Short Course and National I-Corps™ program. The NSF I-Corps™ curriculum provides a real-world, hands-on, intense, and immersive learning experience on how to transform innovations into successful ventures. These two programs are open to students, alumni, faculty, staff, and regional technology entrepreneurs with innovations and inventions that have commercial potential.

For more information on NSF I-Corps™ qualifications or how non-technology-focused teams can access GW Lean Start Up training, email icorpsgwu [dot] edu.

The Lean Startup Short Course is an intense, bootcamp-style course teaching participants how to test their innovation’s market potential. GW's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosts Virtual Regional I-Corps Short Courses all throughout the year. Students, faculty, staff, and researchers interested in evidence-based entrepreneurship and customer discovery methodology should consider a NSF I-Corps Short Course as the first step toward validating a business idea and pursuing additional funding, including SBIR grants.

Program Overview

I-Corps Qualifications

Interested teams in NSF I-Corps™ should be technology-focused composed of current Students, Faculty, Staff/Faculty, Researchers at U.S. higher ed institutions and federal labs/agencies with specific innovations to test in the market, and must be available and committed to all aspects of the program.

Responsibilities

Each cohort is approximately 3 weeks long. Teams need to commit around ~15 hours per week. This commitment includes the following:

• Class Sessions: Three Zoom Class Sessions the first week (~3 hours each session) & Two Lessons Learned Report Out Sessions Each Subsequent Week  (~3 hours each session). *Attendance is Mandatory
• Homework Assignments: Homework will include worksheets and presentations uploaded to Google Drive Folders (~3 hours).
• Office Hours: At least 3 one-on-one meetings with your assigned instructor or adjunct instructor (~.5-1 hour per week). 
• Customer Discovery Interviews: By the end of the cohort, your team will complete 20 customer discovery interviews. (Time varies for each team).

Outcome

Participants will develop an entrepreneurial mindset or expand upon any pre-existing business knowledge.

Upon completion, teams will have...

• Defined their initial beachhead customer: Pinpointed the first target market to focus their efforts.
• Articulated their solution’s value proposition: Clearly communicated the unique benefits of their solution.
• Gained data on their solution's commercialization potential: Collected insights to assess market viability and growth opportunities.
• Eligibility to apply to National I-Corps: Qualified for the next level of support and resources through the National I-Corps program.
• Increased likelihood for funding, including SBIR awards: Enhanced their chances of securing financial support for their ventures.

For next steps, contact icorpsgwu [dot] edu.

 Register Here

This program delivers an intense, seven-week entrepreneurial training for researchers and entrepreneurs. Cohorts are offered every quarter and participants are eligible for grants up to $50,000.

Program Overview

Qualifications

Before applying, the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship will help guide interested participants in the application process for nationals. If you are interested in applying be sure to reach out to us at icorpsgwu [dot] edu.

Below are the qualifications that come from the NSF National I-Corps website. For more detailed information and how to apply click here.

Qualified applicants...

• Must have a technology development connection to an institution of higher education as well as submit their application from an institution of higher education.
• Who have had an active NSF research award in the last five years in a relevant research area –– from any field of science or engineering are eligible to apply to the national I-Corps program.
• Who have not received a research award from NSF may earn eligibility to the national I-Corps program by first participating in a regional I-Corps program and receiving a letter of recommendation following completion of the program.

What you need before applying:

1. Form a team, teams consist of three to five members, with each member playing a distinct role.
2. Submit an executive summary, prepare an executive summary, and the GW I-Corps staff will submit it to the Mid-Atlantic Hub for review.
3. Connect with NSF, once the Mid-Atlantic Hub has received your executive summary, the hub staff will schedule an interview with your team to review your information, provide feedback, and determine if you are ready for the national program.
4. If approved, the Mid-Atlantic Hub will assist the team in applying for the grant through the NSF’s website.

Responsibilities

Once selected into a nationals cohort, there are four mandatory commitments a team must follow during the course of the program. For more information click here.

• 100 Customer Interviews
  • Complete a minimum of 100 potential customer interviews during the seven-week training program.
• Session Attendance
  • Attend all I-Corps sessions including the kick-off and closing meetings, weekly web sessions and office hours. All team members, including the team mentor, must attend all I-Corps sessions.
• Customer Discovery
  • Follow the customer discovery process and other guidance given by the instructors.
• Explore Commercialization
  • Commit to exploring the commercialization potential of your technology.

Outcome

Upon completion, teams will have...

• Learned Lean Startup Methodology: Understand and apply the Lean Startup principles, emphasizing iterative development and rapid testing of ideas.
• Gained Customer Discovery Skills: Gain practical experience in engaging with customers to validate assumptions and identify real needs in the market.
• Business Model Development: Learn how to create and refine a sustainable business model based on feedback and insights from potential customers.
• Received Practical Feedback: Receive constructive feedback on your ideas and approach, helping you refine your product and strategy.
• Networking Opportunities: Build valuable connections with industry experts, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs, fostering a supportive community.

For next steps, contact icorpsgwu [dot] edu.