Regional I-Corps Workshops
The regional UMD I-Corps Customer Discovery Workshops introduce teams and individuals with deep tech innovations to the concepts of business models and customer discovery. The value of the program lies in finding a problem that a customer is willing to pay for, giving you direction on how to commercialize your innovation, increase your odds of securing funding, and saving you time and resources.
UMD offers several live (over Zoom), instructor-led I-Corps workshops each year. You may only join these cohorts with instructor approval upon completing I-Corps Prep, a self-paced, online module.
How to get started in I-Corps:
1. Complete I-Corps Prep
Begin your journey by completing the I-Corps Prep module. This foundational mini course is crucial for your success in preparing for the program. You can get started today!
2. Apply for a Cohort
Once you have completed I-Corps Prep, you can apply to join a regional I-Corps cohort. Complete your application below
I-Corps Prep
The I-Corps Prep mini course is the required first step of participating in any I-Corps cohort. It is self-paced, and allows you to enroll and complete it at any time.
Once you have completed I-Corps Prep, you will be given direction on how to meet with an instructor to review the course content. Assuming you are eligible and ready, the instructor will then give you the next available dates for upcoming I-Corps Customer Discovery workshops, which are also listed in the sections below.
ENROLL HERE for I-Corps Prep »Regional I-Corps Cohorts
Special Agriculture Summer Penn State & UMD Collaboration Cohort
(Complete I-Corps Prep & Apply by July 22)
July 31
August 7
August 14
*Optional in person Ag Progress Days August 11-13*
UMD August Cohort
(Complete I-Corps Prep & Apply by Aug 5)
Aug 14
Aug 21
Aug 28
GW & VT Special Dual-use Tech Regional Cohort
To Apply, you must first attend an Introduction to Lean Innovation workshop. This cohort is cohosted by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University & George Washington University.Questions can be answered by emailing icorps@gwu.edu. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 28th.
All are virtual except for the last day, and at least one member of the team must be present at all times. Along with the traditional team presentations, the final day will include a closing ceremony with panel discussions and a networking event.
Day 1: Tues, Sept 15, from 9-12:30
Day 2: Wed, Sept 16 from 9-12:30
Day 3: Thur, Sept 17 from 9-12:30
Office Hour Check-In: Sept 24, 9-12:30
Midpoint: Thur, October 1 from 9-12:30
Final In- person Dual-use Symposium event: Thur, Oct 15 from 9-4:30, In-Person
I-Corps Next
(Complete a Regional I-Corps program & Apply by September 2)
I-Corps Next is the next step after a Regional I-Corps cohort for teams that are unable to pursue NSF National I-Corps. The program goes deeper with customer discovery and apply it to building out an entire business model including: Key Partnerships, Key Resources, Key Activities, Channels, Customer Relationships, Cost Structure, and Revenue Streams.I-Corps Next is only open to those who have completed an I-Corps Customer Discovery Workshop series/cohort previously.
*An optional in person event opportunity to network with other teams, mentors, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders will be available likely in MD towards the end of the cohort. TBD
Completing I-Corps Next qualifies for the Customer Discovery training required to apply for and NSF SBIR Fast Track grant.
Sept 11th
Sept 18th
Sept 25th
Oct 2nd
Oct 9th
October 16th
October 23rd
I-Corps Info Sessions
Still have questions? I-Corps Info Sessions are an informal opportunity to meet the University of Maryland I-Corps team and ask questions related to Business Model Generation, Customer Discovery, and Regional I-Corps programs, as well as NSF National I-Corps programs. They are offered monthly and are casual so feel free to bring lunch.
Info Sessions will be held the first Wednesday of every month from noon-1 p.m. EST. Those interested will receive a calendar invitation with a Zoom link to the session by signing up below.
sign up for an info session »
