NSF Awards Supplements to I-Corps to Accelerate Commercial Readiness

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded supplements to six Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) nodes to launch a pilot “Phase Zero I-Corps” program where each of the selected nodes will support teams to determine the commercial readiness of their technology concept and identify any obstacles to launching their product into the marketplace.

Eight to ten teams from across the country will participate in Phase Zero I-Corps during the pilot year and receive national I-Corps training as well as guidance on some of the more common issues surrounding startups, such as incorporation, licensing, intellectual property negotiation, and fundraising. This training will allow Phase Zero I-Corps teams to be better prepared for submitting a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposal.

NSF I-Corps nodes are designed to support regional needs for innovation education, infrastructure and research. The nodes work cooperatively to build, utilize and sustain a national innovation ecosystem that further enhances the development of technologies and products, and processes that benefit society.

Learn more about nodes and National Innovation Network at the NSF I-Corps website: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504802