NSF I-Corps Training

1. What are the eligibility requirements for NSF I-Corps Northwest Hub courses?

Team Size - Each application is required to have a team of 2-4 members, typically comprised of university faculty, students, researchers, or recent alums. Early stage startup founder teams located in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska are also eligible.

Technology Innovation - NSF I-Corps is designed both for early stage technology based startups in the Northwest Region (Northern California, Washington, Oregon), and for early stage teams who develop a new fundamental discovery in science or engineering at a university or academic lab. NSF I-Corps is the key first step to translate a new technology into a startup with a viable commercial market and scalable business plan.

Early Stage - If you have a startup idea and the customer discovery process is completely new to you, you’re in the right place. No business experience is required.

2. What else do you look for from applicants?

Commitment - Each team member will actively participate in at least 20 customer discovery interviews, and are required to attend each course session. To make the most from the program, each team member should expect to invest ~30-40 hours over the course and on course pre-work.

Flexibility - The most successful teams have a high tolerance for uncertainty and willingness to succeed or fail together, and openness to learning something new.

3. What is the application process?

There are two steps in the application process. First, submit an online application - this takes 10 minutes to complete. Second, ~2-3 weeks before the first day of class, you'll be contacted to schedule a team interview via Zoom with the I-Corps instructor.

4. Are NSF I-Corps Northwest Hub courses in-person or remote?

Each course is remote or hybrid, with course sessions offered on Zoom.

5. Do you require a university affiliation for the Northwest Hub Regional course?

A university affiliation is not required. If you are an early stage technology based startup in the Northwest Region (Northern California, Washington, Oregon), we welcome you to apply.

After completion of the Regional I-Corps, in order to be eligible for the National NSF I-Corps program it is required the technology be developed at a university or academic lab and, after completion of the Regional course, that the team receive a recommendation from the Hub.

6. Is there any cost to participate?

There is no cost in any form (or equity given up) to participate in NSF I-Corps for university affiliated or Northwest Region teams. For startups without university origins who are located outside the Northwest Region, there is a $500 fee.

7. What geographic areas are considered part of the Northwest Region?

The Northwest Region encompasses all of Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, and we encourage participants from throughout this Region. Teams based outside the US are not eligible to participate in Northwest Region courses.