The Harvard Grid is excited to collaborate with the New England Regional Innovation Node at MIT to provide students and researchers with resources as they dive into venture creation and bring innovative technology to life. This experiential learning initiative is specifically designed to bridge the gap between groundbreaking university research and impactful market solutions.

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The I-Corps mission is to improve the commercialization of research-based technology in the New England area, supported by year-round, hands-on courses and activities. Through the I-Corps opportunities, you'll get entrepreneurial training, support, and funding for customer discovery & your new technology - all while building your network of mentors, investors, and local entrepreneurs.

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Not only do the program experiences help you gather evidence about product-market fit for your business idea, you could increase your chances of receiving an Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award.

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What is I-Corps?

I-Corps is a free program initiated by the National Science Foundation to accelerate the journey of research-based technologies from labs to the commercial market. With programs at over 100 universities, I-Corps has assisted more than 30,000 researchers, guiding them through the commercial exploration of their innovative ideas.

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Why Participate in I-Corps?

• Refine Your Ideas: Discover the commercial possibilities of your research with insights from real-world perspectives.

• Customer Discovery: Learn to engage directly with potential users to discover their needs.

• Access Funding Opportunities: Participants may qualify for up to $50,000 NSF funding and develop confidence to pursue SBIR/STTR grants.

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Program Highlights:

• Spark Online I-Corps Short Course: A 3-week program featuring evening workshops and coaching sessions with seasoned entrepreneurs, alongside conducting customer discovery interviews.

• Flexible Participation: Engage as an individual or team, with resources available at both regional and national levels.

• Extended Opportunities: Post-course, explore further prospects with Fusion and the NSF National I-Corps program for a deeper exploration into commercialization.