CMI
I-Corps Program
In This Section
The I-Corps program is a five-week short course, based upon the successful National Science Foundation I-Corps and I-Corps at NIH Entrepreneurial Training Program, which combines business model training with a customer discovery process.
The short course provides biomedical scientists, clinicians, engineers and students with a methodology to accelerate the translation of discoveries from the lab to clinical practice. The curriculum provides a real-world, hands-on, immersive learning experience in how to transform innovations into successful products and services.
This course is designed to help participants:
determine the commercial viability of an innovation;
learn how to “get out of the building” and talk to potential customers, partners and competitors;
define the potential market and customers;
develop a successful business case for securing funding;
expand their network of innovation partners, mentors and potential collaborators;
create pathway to transition into a real-world application;
develop a new way of thinking about research; and
receive eligibility to participate in the national NSF I-Corps Teams program.
The I-Corps program is an initiative of the Center for Medical Innovation.
The I-Corps program differs from the CMI's Innovation Fellows program in several key ways. It is accelerated, more focused, and open to a wider range of participants, including faculty and staff.
I-Corps FAQ
Faculty, clinicians, staff or students with biomedical innovations or ideas who are interested in learning more about the process of customer discovery and how it can improve their research and accelerate translation into clinical practice should consider applying for I-Corps.
Participants should be able to commit to attending all sessions throughout the course and be willing to find and talk to at least 30 potential customers in five weeks.
Attendance is required for at least one team member at each class session. Participants and teams are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week for the duration of the 5- week program.
Class size is limited so don’t wait to apply. All sessions will be held remotely using Zoom. Office hours are at the discretion of the teams and mentors.
Approximately 8 hours of in class (virtual) time
Approximately 2-3 hours of one-on-one meetings with CMI mentor
The rest of the time will be committed to customer discovery activities including emails, calls, video conferencing, and in person meetings.
To apply, complete the online registration on InfoReady.