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NSF I-Corps Hub Program

The NSF I-Corps AI/Robotics cohort starts April 11th!

This special AI/Robotics focused NSF I-Corps Regional cohort is run by Carnegie Mellon University's Project Olympus and the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub. The program is open to deep tech research and academic based teams/entrepreneurs who are looking into commercializing innovations in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. The cohort will integrate industry specific guidance and expertise for AI/Robotics with traditional I-Corps Training. All sessions are virtual and in eastern time.

Session 1: April 11th, 9am-12pm

Session 2: April 18th, 9am-12pm

Session 3: April 25th, 9am-12pm

The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program helps university-based researchers investigate the commercial potential of their STEM-related technology.

CMU is a partner in the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub. The goal of the I-Corps Hubs program is to create and sustain an ecosystem in the United States by establishing tools and training activities, funding research, and sharing effective innovation practices across the country. The program supports the commercialization of deep technologies with a university connection, which grow from discoveries in fundamental science and engineering. Eligible teams that complete the I-Corps regional program have an opportunity to apply for the I-Corps Teams program for a $50K grant to continue their customer discovery activities.

The impact of the Hub I-Corps program at CMU (1/1/2022-3/31/2025):
31 CMU startups participated in I-Corps Hub regional programs
$8.8M in follow on funding to participating startups
7 teams accepted to accelerator programs
12 teams accepted to the I-Corps National Teams program
4 SBIR/STTR Phase I grants received
1 NSF Convergence Accelerator Phase I grant received
1 NSF Partnerships for Innovation – Technology Translation grant received

The impact of the I-Corps Site program at CMU (2014-2021):
208 I-Corps Site teams with 687 program participants
$129M in follow on funding to teams
39 teams accepted to accelerator programs
12 teams accepted to the I-Corps National Teams program
18 SBIR/STTR Phase I and 9 Phase II grants received by teams
6 teams were acquired

For more information about the CMU I-Corps Site program, click here.

Testimonials

FeiFei Fu, co-founder of Magnify Biosciences. "...my journey has been deeply enriched by my involvement in the NSF I-Corps National Cohort Program. The I-Corps program fundamentally shifted our mindset towards not just refining our technology but also solving a significant market pain point with a recurring need for a better solution—a niche our technology could fill."