The I-Corps Program
Sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), I-Corps Hub West is part of the National Innovation Network (NIN)—a nationwide coalition advancing U.S. innovation and economic growth. As one of 13 regional hubs, we unite 11 premier institutions across five states to help researchers bring deep-tech breakthroughs to market.
Our work focuses on three goals: delivering regional I-Corps training and contributing to national instructional teams; expanding our reach by recruiting diverse teams, recommending top performers to the National I-Corps program, and adding new member institutions; and strengthening the program through evaluation, assessment, and entrepreneurial research.
We equip innovators with the skills, networks, and insights to transform research into ventures that create jobs, attract investment, and solve real-world challenges.
What Happens in Regional Programs
The regional program is designed for graduate students and research faculty developing deep tech with market potential. Through a fast-paced, hands-on approach, participants receive expert coaching in Lean Startup Methodology and the Business Model Canvas while conducting customer discovery interviews with industry-relevant stakeholders. No prior business experience is required, just a commitment to explore real-world applications for your innovation.
By engaging with potential end users, you'll collect actionable insights to refine your value proposition and understand how your technology addresses real-world challenges. While having an Industry Mentor is not required to start ZAP, teams are strongly encouraged to identify one early in the process to maximize learning and impact.
How Do I Get to Nationals?
Teams eligible for the National I-Corps™ program include those with active NSF funding or those who have successfully completed regional programming and a final screening process. After completing these stages, your team can apply for Hub nomination to join the NSF’s national program.
If selected and accepted by the NSF, your team will receive a $50,000 grant to support the commercialization of your deep tech innovation.
This prestigious program is designed to help high-potential teams scale their technology and navigate the path from research to market with national-level visibility and support.
EL
Entrepreneurial
Lead
The EL is typically a graduate student or postdoc, who is working in the lab with the technology. They are the team lead going through the I-Corps program. All team members are required to be at all program sessions and the EL does all the reporting out—they are the point person.
PI/TL
Principal Investigator/ Technical Lead
This team member is a research professor or faculty; the technology came from their lab and was developed using grant funds. If the PI has limited availability to participate, they can nominate a TL, who is the technical expert on the tech in relation to the program.
IM
Industrial
Mentor
The primary role of the IM is as a third-party resource for the team. The IM brings an outside perspective to manage potential roadblocks in the process, like confirmation bias. They are the interpreter of the business world for academics on a team, but they are also a connector—leveraging their network and opening doors for the EL and PI.
Mentor the Future of
Deep Tech Innovation
At I-Corps Hub West, we match cutting-edge research teams with experienced mentors who understand what it takes to bring innovation to market.
Mentorship isn’t just support, it’s catalytic.
Our mentors play a critical role in helping teams validate ideas, navigate commercialization hurdles, and explore real-world use cases. These interactions accelerate learning, reduce time to market, and often form the foundation of lasting startup ecosystems.
