I-Corps@NCATS Short Course

I-Corps at NCATS at the University of Miami

2023 Spring Course
March 31, April 14 & May 5
REGISTRATION OPEN
*select University of Miami as your training site

The I-Corps@ NCATS Short Course is an accelerated 5-week program utilizing the Lean Launchpad Methodology. This Miami regional course is geared towards faculty and researchers in Florida engaged in development of novel therapies, diagnostics, processes, and devices. The course will focus on customer development and emphasizes the full Business Model Canvas. It requires participants to ‘Get out of the Building’ and talk to potential customers and discover their unmet needs.

Why Participate?

  • Learn how to “get out of the building” and talk to potential customers, partners, and competitors.
  • Identify commercial potential for your research or technology.
  • Develop a workflow and the business canvas for your startup.
  • Experience the uncertainty and excitement of creating a startup.
  • Receive eligibility to participate in the NSF or NIH I-Corps Teams Program.

And since 2017

  • 5 teams have advanced to SBIR/STTR mechanism and IP
  • 3 teams have successfully entered a licensing agreement; 5 are working on VC funding
  • 6 teams have established start-ups
  • 8 have filed for IP (patents, invention disclosures)

Who’s it for?

The I-Corps@NCATS Short Course is designed specifically for teams of faculty, staff, post-doctoral associates, residents, students or entrepreneurs. The program guides you through the early stages of customer discovery where you can test the business model hypotheses for your technology or idea.

  • Patient Work Flow/Care Management
  • Customers / Customer Segments
  • Value Propositions
  • Data quality
  • Roles of industry / partners

New insights can have a dramatic affect on the aims of a current or future project around the technology.

How Does It Work?

Participants attend an Orientation, Kick-Off, Mid-Point and Closing sessions while conducting customer discovery during the weeks in between, checking in during virtual office hours.

Who Can Apply?

Teams from all Florida university/colleges, as well as startups within our community are encouraged to apply.

  • 2 (or more) team members – consisting of an Entrepreneurial Lead (can be a faculty member or undergraduate, graduate students or postdoctoral scholars who aim to move the research forward) and a Technical Lead (typically a faculty member or senior research scientist with deep and direct expertise in the core research/technology).
  • The team must be able to attend both opening and closing workshop dates.
  • The team must be able to participate in the office hours each week.
  • Have an innovation in any STEM / Biomedical / life sciences area and want to explore its commercialization potential.
  • Willing to find and talk to potential customers in the five weeks.
  • Interest in applying for the National NSF I-Corps Teams program or the NIH SBIR/STTR I-Corps program.
  • In addition to entrepreneurs who have already established start-ups, faculty and scientists who are interested in evaluating the commercial potential of their work and potentially apply for SBIR/STTR grants are highly encouraged to apply.

Registration

Registration is now open for the 2023 Spring Course. Register online here and select University of Miami as your training site.

Dates

March 31 Kickoff Meeting In-person for local attendees/ All others virtual
April 3-13 Virtual Office Hours One-to-one virtual calls with instructors
April 14 Midterm Meeting Virtual
April 17 – May 4 Virtual Office Hours One-to-one virtual calls with instructors
May 5 Finale Meeting  In-person for local attendees/ All others virtual

Contact

Suhrud Rajguru, Ph.D.
Director, South Florida Regional I-Corps@NCATS Program
University of Miami.
Email: [email protected]