April 20: WSU Innovation Corps encourages entrepreneurship

i-corp logo

The WSU Innovation Corps will hold its next meeting 10 a.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Paccar Building, Room 202.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) developed the I-Corps program in 2011 to help move academic research to the marketplace. In 2016, NSF provided WSU with a three-year grant that also designates WSU I-Corps, https://vcea.wsu.edu/icorps, as one of 51 universities that are part of the NSF National Innovation Network.

Led by the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, in partnership with the Carson College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, the university is using the LEAN Accelerator Program curriculum to teach entrepreneurship skills while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, industry mentorship, and alumni engagement.

WSU I-Corps participants attend weekly sessions in which teams, directors and mentors develop and refine their business models, discuss lessons learned, and prepare for further customer discovery. Sessions are accessible via Academic Media Services for those who RSVP with their AMS location by email. $2,500 in funding available for teams.

Faculty and students are welcome to attend the meeting to explore I-Corps.

  • Benefits to participating include:
  • Travel funding to meet potential customers and partners
  • Expert advice on your business idea
  • Meet other WSU entrepreneurs
  • Become eligible for SBIR/STTR funding
  • Preparation for winning business plan competitions

For more information, contact Travis Woodland, director of industry extension and WSU I-Corps, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, t_woodland@wsu.edu.