NSF I-Corps @ UD Team Application | Deadline: October 8th, 2024

Program Application

Propelus is a four-week program designed for research teams to explore how your discovery can help potential customers and meet industry needs as a startup or venture.

You will learn the I-Corps Methodology, which includes:

Developing your Business Model – specifically Value Propositions and Customer Segments.
Testing your business model hypotheses by talking to potential customers.
Identifying which market or industry is the best first one to enter.

Participants receive up to a $1,500 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant and have the opportunity to advance to the National I-Corps program where they may receive a $50,000 NSF grant.

Program Dates:

October 28th, October 30th, November 6th, & November 20th (9:30am - 12:30pm)

Each session is hosted on University of Delaware's campus at the Fintech Innovation Hub located on South Campus.

Application Deadline:
October 8th, 2024 (11:59pm)

For More Information:
https://icorpsnortheasthub.org/events/2024/propelus-i-corps-hosted-university-delaware

Team Information

What is your team's name?

City

State/Province

How many people are currently on your team? (1-5). You will enter each person's info one-by-one.

Explanation of Roles

Teams consist of at least an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) and a Technical Lead (TL):

Entrepreneurial Lead

The entrepreneurial lead may be a graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, undergraduate student or staff member with relevant knowledge of the technology or market and a commitment to investigate the potential opportunity for commercialization.
The role of the entrepreneurial lead is to drive the customer discovery process and support the transition of the technology into the marketplace if it demonstrates commercial viability.

Technical Lead

The technical lead will often have been involved in creating the technology that forms the basis of the team’s business concept or possesses a high level of relevant technical expertise. The role of the technical lead is overall project management. The technical lead is often a faculty member and, if a company is formed, plays a key leadership role such as a scientific advisor or chief technical officer.

Industry Mentor

The industry mentor will typically be an experienced entrepreneur, intrapreneur or corporate innovator who serves as a third-party resource.
The role of the mentor is to guide the team forward and track progress.
Teams do not have to identify an industry mentor prior to application, but are encouraged to do so.

Co-ELs, co-TLs, and co-IMs are allowable, as long as all are active I-Corps team members.

Applicant Information (1)

Team Role

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Academic Institution (if you are applying from an institution outside of University of Delaware, or as a nonacademic team, please select "Other" and specify your institution or company name)

If "Other," please specify here.

Current University Status

School/Department

Qualifications/Experience: What qualities/expertise you bring to the team regarding this

technology/innovation?

Applicant Information (2)

Team Role

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Academic Institution (if you are applying from an institution outside of University of Delaware, or as a nonacademic team, please select "Other" and specify your institution or company name)

If "Other," please specify here.

Current University Status

School/Department

Qualifications/Experience: What qualities/expertise you bring to the team regarding this

technology/innovation?

Applicant Information (3)

Team Role

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Academic Institution (if you are applying from an institution outside of University of Delaware, or as a nonacademic team, please select "Other" and specify your institution or company name)

If "Other," please specify here.

Current University Status

School/Department

Qualifications/Experience: What qualities/expertise you bring to the team regarding this

technology/innovation?

Applicant Information (4)

Team Role

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Academic Institution (if you are applying from an institution outside of University of Delaware, or as a nonacademic team, please select "Other" and specify your institution or company name)

If "Other," please specify here.

Current University Status

School/Department

Qualifications/Experience: What qualities/expertise you bring to the team regarding this

technology/innovation?

Team History

How did the team meet?

How long have you worked together?

How does the team work together now?

Please include any relevant research awards or funding

related to the development of this technology:

Technology Description & Commercial/Business Concept: Please provide a short non-technical description of the technology. DO NOT DISCLOSE ANY CONFIDENTIAL OR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. If in doubt, please contact your Tech Transfer Office before submitting the application.

Customer Discovery Plan: We expect you to come to the program with a rough plan for meeting with 15+ potential customers, spending ~8-10 hours per week over the 4 week I-Corps @ UD program.

What industries are you looking to explore to conduct your interviews? Please state any upcoming trade shows, conferences (virtual or in-person), meetup events (expected dates and locations) that you are planning to attend. If selected, your team will receive funding for Customer Discovery activities such as these.

Market Opportunity for the Technology: Describe your idea for a product/service that can be developed from this technology. Who do you think would purchase it, use it, or benefit from its introduction into the market? What competitive advantages does your innovation have over the existing technology?

Team Goals: Why do you want to participate in the I-Corps program? What do you hope to learn? What outcomes do you hope to achieve?

By selecting this box, your team agrees to:

1. Attend and participate in all required program sessions, as detailed in the Program Description.
2. Attend office hours ("Mentor Meetings") with the Teaching Team (minimum: two meetings).
3. Conduct a minimum of 20 customer discovery interviews (to be completed between Session 1 and Session 4).
4. Commit the required amount of time to the program each week, as detailed in the Program Description.
5. Complete the pre-course, post-course, and longitudinal surveys, administered online by VentureWell.
Contact the Program Managers if you have concerns about meeting the requirements.

I acknowledge that my team will participate in all of the above.

Note: Each Team Member listed on the application will be sent a Personal Demographics & Commitment Survey to confirm their individual participation if accepted into the program.

Disclaimer: By submitting this form, you agree to receive marketing-related electronic communication from Horn Entrepreneurship at University of Delaware, including news, events, updates, and promotional emails.

Contact Information