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NSF I-Corps Hub Program

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

CMU has joined the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub, one of the five inaugural I-Corps Hubs. The goal of the I-Corps Hubs program is to create and sustain a diverse, inclusive innovation ecosystem in the United States by establishing tools and training activities, funding research, providing opportunities to diverse communities 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 I-Corps Site program at CMU: 
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
32% of teams had founders from STEM underrepresented minority groups

For more information about the CMU I-Corps Site program (2014-2021), click here.

CMU I-Corps Staff:
Kit Needham, Faculty Lead, Assistant Dean for Entrepreneurship Initiatives and Director, Project Olympus
Melanie Simko, Program Manager
Glenn Watson, Instructor

 



 

 

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Interested in becoming an I-Corps team?

To be eligible to participate in the I-Corps regional short course and national Teams programs, you must be working on a deep technology startup with a connection to university sponsored research. 

If you like to explore opportunites with I-Corps, please contact Melanie Simko, Program Manager for more information at msimko@andrew.cmu.edu

Mentor Opportunities

Are you a seasoned entrepreneur interested in mentoring Mid-Atlantic Hub I-Corps teams? Some of the benefits of mentoring I-Corps include:

  • Exposure to cutting edge, deep technologies, at the earliest stages 
  • Intellectual stimulation and enhancing personal/professional skills 
  • Expand your network
  • An opportunity for meaningful employment/advisor opportunities
  • “Right of passage” to become an NSF I-Corps instructor
  • The feeling of accomplishment and “giving back” - they need your help
  • Insider access to valuable investment opportunities

Apply to be a mentor!

"The interviews completed throughout the I-Corp program were the most helpful portion of the fellowship. It really helped me understand the supply chain in my industry and how smaller research areas all connected to solve problems important to commericialiing wide bandgap semiconductor technology." 
Luke Lyle of Oxide Enterprises (2020 CMU Innovation Commercialization Fellow)

"My time in I-Corps was one of my most rewarding entrepreneurial experiences in school." Boon Hong (Donovan) So