Apply for I-Corps

Current Cohort: Spring 2023
​ 

• Applications Due: Sunday, February 5, 2023
• Teams Selected: Wednesday, February 8, 2023
• Week 1: Friday, February 24, 2023 (Group Meeting)
• Week 2: Friday, March 3, 2023 (Individual Meeting)
• Week 3: Friday, March 10, 2023 (Group Meeting)
• Week 4: Friday, March 17, 2023 (Individual Meeting)
• NO MEETING FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 2023
• Week 5: Friday, March 31, 2023 (Group Meeting)
• Week 6: Friday, April 7, 2023 (Panel)
• Week 7: Friday, April 14, 2023 (Group Meeting final presentations)​

All I-Corps meeting sessions will be held virtually.
Group Meetings will be held 12pm - 2:30pm EST. Individual Meetings will be scheduled for 30-minute time slots between 9am and 3pm EST on the dates listed. 

Upcoming Cohort: Summer 2023
​ 

• Applications Due: Sunday, May 21, 2023
• Teams Selected: Wednesday, May 24, 2023
• Week 1: Friday, June 9, 2023 (Group Meeting)
• Week 2: Friday, June 16, 2023 (Individual Meeting)
• Week 3: Friday, June 23, 2023 (Group Meeting)
• Week 4: Friday, June 30, 2023 (Individual Meeting)
• NO MEETING FRIDAY, July 7, 2023
• Week 5: Friday, July 14, 2023 (Group Meeting)
• Week 6: Friday, July 21, 2023 (Panel)
• Week 7: Friday, July 28, 2023 (Group Meeting final presentations)​

​
All I-Corps meeting sessions will be held virtually.

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!

Graduated 300 Teams

12,000 Customer Interviews
​Completed By Teams

60 New Startup
Companies Launched

Raised Over $8 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?

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.

---

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 Site sponsors:

I-Corps is provided in collaboration with: