What is I-Corps?

I-Corps is an accelerator program created by the National Science Foundation to develop early ventures and discoveries and accelerate them towards successful commercial ventures. I-Corps @ UAB provides the infrastructure, resources, advice, networking opportunities, training, and funding for motivated entrepreneurs to develop effective solutions to customer problems.

I-Corps @ UAB offers several opportunities to understand lean startup principles and jump start commercialization activities, including informational workshops, five-week regional short course and a full, semester-long course that dives deep into the business model canvas and helps early stage entrepreneurs accelerate their understanding of the market landscape through the process of customer discovery. 

Why Get Involved?

Key benefits for participating in I-Corps:

• Learn key concepts of the lean startup methodology
• Receive funding up to $2,500 that can be used for travel, customer discovery expenses, and some prototype development
• Dramatically increase your prospects for other commercialization funding opportunities
• Access mentorship, regional venture funding, incubators, and support via UAB’s entrepreneurial network
• Become eligible to apply to the NSF National I-Corps program ($50,000 grant award)