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Apply for I-Corps
Current Cohort: Fall 2023
​ 
  • Applications Due: Sunday, September 10, 2023
  • Teams Selected: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
  • Week 1: Friday, September 29, 2023 (Group Meeting)
  • Week 2: Friday, October 6, 2023 (Individual Meeting)
  • Week 3: Friday, October 13, 2023 (Group Meeting)
  • Week 4: Friday, October 20, 2023 (Individual Meeting)
  • NO MEETING FRIDAY, October 27, 2023
  • Week 5: Friday, November 3, 2023 (Group Meeting)
  • Week 6: Friday, November 10, 2023 (Panel)
  • Week 7: Friday, November 17, 2023 (Group Meeting final presentations)​
​
All I-Corps meeting sessions will be held virtually.
​Group Meetings will be held
9am – 11:30am ET. Individual Meetings will be scheduled for 30-minute time slots between 9am and 3pm ET on the dates listed
Upcoming Cohort: Spring 2024
​ 
  • Applications Due: Sunday, February 11, 2024
  • Teams Selected: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
  • Week 1: Friday, March 1, 2024 (Group Meeting)
  • Week 2: Friday, March 8, 2024 (Individual Meeting)
  • Week 3: Friday, March 15, 2024 (Group Meeting)
  • Week 4: Friday, March 22, 2024 (Individual Meeting)
  • NO MEETING FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
  • Week 5: Friday, April 5, 2024 (Group Meeting)
  • Week 6: Friday, April 12, 2024 (Panel)
  • Week 7: Friday, April 19, 2024 (Group Meeting final presentations)​
​
All I-Corps meeting sessions will be held virtually.
Individual Meetings will be scheduled for 30-minute time slots between 9am and 3pm ET on the dates listed

UA's I-Corps program is
​all about customer discovery!

The I-Corps Program supports teams through an intensive 7-meeting critical evaluation. Our goal is to help faculty, students, and the community answer important questions about their business, product or technology idea through coaching and direct customer interactions.
The I-Corps program can help you:
  • Get clarity on your customer
  • Learn and apply best practices on the business model canvas
  • Get direct feedback on your business idea
  • Expand your network and access needed resources
  • Level up your business!
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Graduated 450 Teams
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12,000 Customer Interviews
​Completed By Teams
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60 New Startup
Companies Launched
Raised Over $35 Million
​In Funding

Eligible Participants

UA's I-Corps Program is open to faculty, student and community led teams. You can apply to I-Corps in many ways:
University Teams
Teams comprised of at least one faculty member (Academic Lead), one or more students (Entrepreneurial Leads) and, typically, one or more Mentors. Faculty from all colleges and departments, and other Ohio universities, are encouraged to apply. ​​
Students 
​Students from any university can apply independently to assist an existing team in assessing their business idea as a way to learn about entrepreneurship and build their resumes.
Community Teams 
Teams comprised of at least one entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur (Entrepreneurial Leads) and, typically, one or more Mentors. Applicants should be based in Northeast Ohio, but need not be affiliated with The University of Akron.
​Mentors
Mentors can apply to join and assist a participating team as a way to see new ventures and share their expertise. Email uaicorps@gmail.com to request a list of the cohort innovation descriptions.

What is in the program?

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If selected for the I-Corps Program, teams will attend
​a 7-meeting training session that requires them to:
  • Conduct at least 21 interviews with potential customers or end users
  • Perform preliminary market research and competitive analysis
  • Present their progress and evolving business idea multiple times
  • Meet with mentors and instructors to receive candid feedback

​         For more detail, see the full I-Corps schedule.

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The University of Akron is an Affiliate of the Great Lakes Region I-Corps Hub

The application process:

Applications are accepted anytime and will be evaluated prior to the next I-Corps cohort. Each application will be assessed on the background and commitment of the team members, uniqueness of the business idea, the market and business model, and the fit with the goals and competencies of UA's I-Corps Program. 
Downloadable application available here.

Questions?

Email us at UAicorps@gmail.com

I-Corps Success Stories​

Special thanks to UARF's I-Corps sponsors:
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I-Corps is provided in collaboration with:
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411 Wolf Ledges Pkwy, Suite 208
​Akron, OH 44311
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