Leveraging Your UARF I-Corps Experience: A Guide for Entrepreneurial and Professional Success

Written by Nick Glavan
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Participating in the University of Akron Research Foundation's (UARF) I-Corps program is a notable achievement, showcasing your dedication to entrepreneurial pursuits and practical problem-solving. With 10 years of program history at UARF, participating in I-Corps is an immediate reputation builder around the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Successfully incorporating this experience into grant proposals, pitch competition and even job applications can significantly enhance your professional standing. In this blog, we will explore the best strategies for highlighting your I-Corps participation and showing off your skills.

Grant Applications and Pitch Competitions: 
In applying grant proposals and pitch competitions, leverage success stories and lessons learned during the UARF I-Corps program: 

"Our team's participation in UARF's I-Corps program resulted in a refined business model and 21+ customer interviews that validate the market need for our innovation. Throughout the program our team learned to navigate challenges effectively and work towards common goals: solving a real-world problem and delivering a desired solution to our customers. We believe this track record positions us as strong contenders for this grant, showcasing our commitment to transforming innovative ideas into viable solutions." 
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Grounding proposals in these I-Corps experiences increases your credibility and highlights the impactful nature of the program. You should also include specific insights you gained by talking directly with stakeholders in your industry. You can include quotes from your customers about their needs and problems with today’s solutions to emphasize the “voice of the customer” in your application. The startup who knows their customer best will have the highest odds of success, so show the reviewers what you know. 

Crafting Your Resume: 
When updating your resume, focus on tangible outcomes and skills gained during the UARF I-Corps program.
For instance: Experience Section: University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) I-Corps Program 

• Conducted in-depth market research to identify problems within industry protocols, potential customers, and market trends. 
• Developed and refined a problem-solution fit of a new technology within the market and compared the innovation to competitive solutions. 
• ​Collaborated with teams to iterate product/service requirements based on valuable customer feedback and generated unique value propositions. 
• Pitched a business idea and provided meaningful updates to peers and program advisors, honing communication and presentation skills. 

By emphasizing specific achievements, you provide potential employers with a clear understanding of your capabilities. 

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LinkedIn Profile Optimization: 
Leverage your Canvas Badge(part of parent company, Badgr) credential awarded via email upon completing the UARF I-Corps program to visually showcase your accomplishment on LinkedIn. You will need to create an account on Canvas Badges to access the credential. Here are the directions for how to add it to your LinkedIn Certifications or other social media profiles. If you need us to re-issue your I-Corps graduation credential, just email us at [email protected] with your name and when you graduated from I-Corps. 
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Adding this designation on LinkedIn not only adds credibility to your profile but also serves as a powerful conversation starter for networking opportunities. ​
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Job Interview Strategies: 
When discussing your UARF I-Corps experience in a job interview, underscore the transferable skills acquired and how they align with the job requirements: 
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"Participating in UARF's I-Corps program equipped me with the ability to analyze market trends and identify customer needs effectively. Completing weekly tasks helped improve my research and analysis skills while also helping me practice time management. My experience working in collaborative teams has sharpened my problem-solving skills and instilled adaptability in dynamic environments. I believe these skills make me an ideal candidate for this position, where creativity and strategic thinking are highly valued." 

Showcasing the practical application of your I-Corps experience demonstrates its relevance and impact on your potential contributions to the role. 


Conclusion: 
Effectively highlighting your UARF I-Corps program experience in grant proposals, pitch competitions, and job applications involves emphasizing specific achievements and articulating transferable skills gained. By doing so, you not only demonstrate your commitment to entrepreneurship but also position yourself as a valuable asset in various professional contexts. When you share your experience with I-Corps to your larger networks, it also helps us to show-off how successful our program grads are. So please, let everyone know, you are an I-Corps alum! 
 
If you haven't had the opportunity to participate in the UARF I-Corps program yet, seize the chance to enhance your entrepreneurial skills and network. New participants are encouraged to apply for the upcoming program before February 11. Review the program dates and submit your application at UARF I-Corps Program. Don't miss this chance to elevate your entrepreneurial journey! ​​

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