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An experiential, virtual training program that develops the skills to test and advance innovations with technological, educational or social impact into local, regional and national markets.

TARGETS & TIMELINE

PARTICIPANTS

  • UH faculty, researcher, staff, student or alumni who have an innovation with potential for technological, educational or social impact
  • Startups based in Hawai‘i with deep tech innovation

TIMELINE

  • 5 weeks (orientation + 4 weekly sessions)
  • 3 hours/week minimum

BENEFITS

Participants work in teams as part of a regional cohort to learn and implement the customer discovery process to gather important insights on problem/solution fit and product/market fit to maximize the impact of an innovation, and create a business strategy

TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

  • Test the market through customer discovery
  • Develop a business strategy
  • Gain important insights to maximize the impact of your technology

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

  • Network with teams from various states
  • Up to $3,000/team in seed funding for continued customer discovery
  • Eligible for the National I-Corps Teams program + up to $50,000 in grants

FAQs

NSF I-Corps is a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) program that provides experiential entrepreneurial training to facilitate the translation of research to the marketplace and addresses urgent national needs including: training and strengthening the entrepreneurial workforce; commercializing cutting-edge technologies; and growing the innovation economy and ecosystem. Learn more here.

Participants learn the Lean Startup methodology, how to effectively communicate the value of your idea, validate its market potential, and grow their network.

The NSF I-Corps Hub: Desert and Pacific Region program is total of five (5) weeks, consisting of an orientation and four (4) weekly sessions.  Each weekly session is three (3) hours.  Participants are required to attend the orientation & all weekly sessions.

During the 5 weeks, you are required to:

  1. attend the orientation (1 hour)
  2. attend all 4 weekly sessions (3 hours per week)
  3. complete 15-20 customer interviews (~3-5 hours per week)
  4. attend 2 office hours + assigned reading (~2 hours per week)

Any student, faculty, researcher, staff or alumni ALL UH campuses who have an innovation with potential technological, educational or social impact can apply.  Startups based in Hawai‘i with a deep tech product or service can also participate.

The NSF I-Corps Hub: Desert and Pacific Region offers the regional training program throughout the year. Contact OIC at icorps@hawaii.edu or visit desertpacificicorps.org for upcoming cohort dates and application.

Visit desertpacificicorps.org for more information about the next cohort and to apply. Applications are received on a rolling basis.

No, but participants are recommended to apply as a team with a minimum of two (2) people including:

  • Entrepreneurial Leads should have relevant knowledge of the innovation and a deep commitment to investigate the commercial landscape
  • Technical Lead should have a deep and direct technical expertise in the core technology
  • I-Corps Mentor should be experienced entrepreneurs advising the team and helping navigate the business ecosystem.

Contact OIC at icorps@hawaii.edu for help in forming a team.

Yes. Participants may apply without a mentor, or you can contact icorps@hawaii.edu for help with finding a mentor for your team.

CONNECT

EMAIL
icorps@hawaii.edu


PROGRAM CONTACTS

PHONE
808-956-9024

Steve Auerbach
University of Hawai’i Project Director
steve.auerbach@hawaii.edu

Taylor Silverstein
NSF I-Corps Hub: Desert and Pacific Region Coordinator
taylor.b.silverstein@asu.edu

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