Apply Now for Fall Cohort of I-Corps
Applications for the upcoming cohort of the I-Corps program are due on September 19. Each application will be assessed on the background and commitment of the team members, uniqueness of the business idea and (if applicable) intellectual property strength, the market and business model, and the fit with the goals and competencies of UA's I-Corps Site.
University of Akron Research Foundation's I-Corps Site program is all about discovery. It supports teams through an intensive 7-meeting critical evaluation. The goal of the program is to help faculty, students, and the community answer important questions about their business, product or technology idea through coaching and direct customer interactions.
The I-Corps program can help you:
- Get clarity on your customer
- Learn and apply best practices on the business model canvas
- Get direct feedback on your business idea
- Expand your network and access needed resources
- Level up your business
If selected for I-Corps, teams will attend a 7-meeting training session that requires them to:
- Conduct at least 21 interviews with potential customers or end users
- Perform preliminary market research and competitive analysis
- Present their progress and evolving business idea multiple times
- Meet with mentors and instructors to receive candid feedback
Eligible Participants
UA's I-Corps Site is open to faculty, student and community led teams. You can apply to I-Corps in many ways:
- University teams are comprised of at least one faculty member (Academic Lead), one or more students (Entrepreneurial Leads) and one or more Mentors. Faculty from all colleges and departments, and other regional universities, are encouraged to apply.
- Community teams are comprised of at least one entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur (Entrepreneurial Leads) and one or more Mentors. Applicants should be based in Northeast Ohio, but need not be affiliated with The University of Akron.
- Mentors can apply independently to join a team as a way to see new ventures and share their expertise.
- Students can apply independently to assist an existing team in assessing their business idea as a way to learn about entrepreneurship and build their resumes.