University of Akron Research Foundation’s I-Corps Program Recognized with National Award for Exemplary Practice in Technology Commercialization

Akron, OH – June 11, 2021 – The University of Akron Research Foundation’s (UARF) I-Corps program  received the Exemplary Practice in Technology Commercialization Award at the Deshpande Symposium  on June 11. The Deshpande Symposium is an annual gathering of like-minded practitioners focused on  accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship across the college and university environment in the  United States and Canada. Each year, the Symposium offers three awards to university-affiliated  entrepreneurship programs that reflect national best practices. 
I-Corps was recognized for its strong commitment to building programs that accelerate innovations from  laboratory research to commercialization for both university and community inventors. In a letter  notifying UARF of the award, Raj Melville, executive director of the Deshpande Foundation, noted that  UARF’s I-Corps site “best exemplified a strong commitment to building programs that accelerate  innovations from the laboratory and research into commercialization across institutions.” 

“I-Corps has helped tremendously to change the culture at our university to become much more  innovative and entrepreneurial for our faculty and students,” said University of Akron President Gary L.  Miller. “This entrepreneurial spirit not only impacts our campus, but the communities we serve.” 

The goal of I-Corps is to help faculty, students and the community answer important questions about  their business, product or technology idea through coaching and direct customer interactions. UA’s I Corps Site, which serves Northeast Ohio, has provided intensive experiential education in what it takes  to launch a business for more than 400 Northeast Ohio students, 200 university faculty members, 300  business mentors and 100 community entrepreneurs. I-Corps Site participants have launched successful  businesses in a wide range of industries, including software for water treatment facilities, next  generation adhesives, and hair and beauty products. 

“It’s a great honor to receive this Deshpande Symposium Technology Commercialization Award,” said  Elyse Ball, UARF executive director and I-Corps instructor. “It’s a testament to the quality of Northeast  Ohio’s innovators and entrepreneurs who have enabled the I-Corps program to thrive.” 

I-Corps has also had a major impact beyond university campuses. “The University of Akron I-Corps Site program has catalyzed a major acceleration in innovation to drive research and new ideas into commercialization realities, not only at the University, but also for the greater Akron community and all universities in Northeast Ohio,” said Heather Roszczyk, who serves as innovation and entrepreneurship  advocate in the Mayor’s Office of Integrated Development at the city of Akron. 

The next I-Corps Program is scheduled in the fall. The application deadline is Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. 
Visit UARF’s I-Corps website for more information.