Description:

The I-Corps Regional Course is an accelerated 6-week program utilizing Lean LaunchPad, an entrepreneurship methodology created by Stanford Prof. Steve Blank. The primary focus of participating teams is to define and test the value proposition of their technology/ service in the marketplace by conducting interviews of potential customers, partners and competitors. The curriculum will focus on customer development guided by the Business Model Canvas and will help each team better understand whether their innovation effectively addresses unmet needs.

Teams from the Northwestern community with BIOMEDICAL INNOVATIONS (any stage from ideas to prototypes) are encouraged to apply. 
 
Course Dates | April 16 – May 21, 2021
 
Week 1 Workshop – Orientation – Friday, April 16, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM 
Week 2 Workshop – Kickoff – Friday, April 23, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM 
Week 3 Office Hours – Week of April 26
Week 4 Workshop – Midpoint – Friday, May 7, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Week 5 Office Hours – Week of May 10
Week 6 Workshop – Finale – Friday, May 21, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Why participate?
Learn how to “get out of the building” and talk to potential customers, partners, and competitors
Identify commercial potential for your technology
Prepare for SBIR-STTR submission
Experience the uncertainty and excitement of creating a startup
Gain eligibility to apply for the NSF I-Corps Teams Program (a national program which provides up to $50,000)
 
Eligibility:
2+ team members, consisting of at least an Entrepreneurial Lead (graduate student or postdoctoral fellow) and a Technical Lead (faculty member, clinician, or senior research scientist)
Must be able to attend all 4 workshop dates and commit to a total effort of 10-15 hrs/week 
Have a biomedical innovation or idea (e.g. therapeutic, diagnostic, medical device, health IT, or research tool) and want to explore its commercialization potential
Be willing to find and talk to at least 30 potential customers