NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program – Missouri S&T
About
I-Corps is intended for teams working on early stage ideas. Previous business experience or having a fully functioning prototype is not required in order to apply for the program. You don’t even need to know if you want to be an entrepreneur. However, you do need one idea to test. Your idea might come from your research, studies, or a pet project. It might be a new product, an educational software, an app, or a material to help treat cancer. The most important thing is that you have a willingness to learn, work hard, and try something new. Learn more about who can apply and team composition.
The I-Corps Site entrepreneurial education program is based on the I-Corps curriculum with experiential, collaborative learning and uses the Business Model Canvas with the Lean LaunchBoard methodology.
The program will be a catalyst and morale booster to create a critical mass of innovators and entrepreneurs to establish more technology hubs, increase the state economic base, and engage civic leaders and other stakeholders. It will be a bridge for collaboration with state wide economic development and startup communities.
The Site workshops are open to innovators and entrepreneurs across the State of Missouri, specifically:
- University employees (faculty, post docs, staff and administration)
- College/University students of all levels
- Regional participants served by the Missouri SBTDC system
Teams will be selected after reviewing the online application. The program coordinator will notify you concerning acceptance and provide information on pre-work and resources used in the course.
The I-Corps program runs multiple cohorts throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. Cohort trainings are located at multiple locations across the state of Missouri. A training program in the summer may be offered depending on demand. A limited number of teams will be accepted into each cohort. Business experience is not required to apply, though teams are expected to have an early-stage idea, research, or technology that qualifies as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) project.
Participants are not required to have previous experience in business or entrepreneurship in order to be accepted into the I-Corps Site program.
Services Provided
Public Policy and Government Relations
- African-American Business
- Business Issues Related to a Specific City
- Hispanic Business
- LGBT Business Issues
- Missouri Business Issues
- Native-American Business
- Small Business Policy
- Women’s Business Issues
Business Planning
- Business Plan Consulting, Development and Review (Specialty)
- Feasibility Studies (Specialty)
- Market Research (Specialty)
Financial Resources and Assistance
- Technology Grants (Specialty)
- Obtaining Government Funding (Specialty)
Marketing/Sales
- Feasibility Studies
- Market Research
- Competitive Analysis
- Market Plan Development and Training
Technical Assistance
- Commercialization
- Industrial Technology Research
Training
- Business Plan Training and Assistance
- Marketing Plan Development and Training
- Startup Classes
Product Development
- Prototype Development
Manufacturing, High Tech, Life Sciences Development
- High Tech Development
- Industrial Technology Research
- Life Sciences Development
- Commercialization (Specialty)
- Technology Transfer (Specialty)
Starting a Business
- Business Research Resources
- Feasibility Studies
- Startup Classes
Mentoring
- One-on-One Counseling
- Peer Mentoring
- Formal Mentoring Programs
