Applications are now open for
Summer 2025 I-Corps Customer Discovery Programs
UC Davis - Oregon State University AgtechWorkshop Dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29 | 2:00-4:00 PM PDTApplications Open: May 27, 2025Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 | UC Davis All STEMWorkshop Dates: August 5, 12, 19, 26 | 10:00 AM-1:00 PM PDTApplications Open: June 10, 2025Application Deadline: July 17, 2025 |
The NSF I-Corps Hub Northwest Regional short course offers customer discovery training, a methodology to help you evaluate your STEM-based idea from a customer's perspective - critical to the success of any business. During this program, you will learn from proven entrepreneurs how to conduct customer discovery interviews, identify your initial customer segments, define your innovation's value propositions, and map your industry's ecosystem.
The University of California, Davis is one of eight institutions that make up the NSF I-Corps Hub Northwest. STEM innovators from UC Davis, and throughout the Central Valley and Sierras, are welcome to apply to participate in regional I-Corps programming at any Northwest Hub institution. Learn more about NW I-Corps Hub programs and view upcoming course offerings.
About the Program
NSF I-Corps Hub Northwest trains early stage teams with a fundamental technology or engineering innovation to find a scalable business model through the customer discovery process.
During a free 2-4 week online course, learn from proven entrepreneurs how to conduct 20 customer discovery interviews, identify your top customer segment & value props, and accelerate finding product market fit.
Teams that complete the Regional course, have university IP, and receive Hub recommendation may be eligible to continue to the 7 week National NSF I-Corps program, which may include a $50,000 NSF grant.
Eligibility Requirements
Team of 2-4 people
No technology commercialization or business experience is required of any team members.
Technology based startup or startup idea
NSF I-Corps is designed to help teams commercialize a technological innovation.
30-40 hours during the course
Each team member must attend all course sessions, and be prepared to invest 30-40 hours outside of class time to complete the 20 customer interviews.
Northwest I-Corps Hub Programs
Who is it for?
- Faculty, researchers, postdocs, students or staff members from an academic or research institution in the Northwest, a region spanning from the California Central Valley to Alaska
- Professionals with industry or startup experience who are looking to mentor the next generation of academic entrepreneurs
- Community-based, non-university affiliated teams with a STEM innovation are also welcome to apply for the Regional Short Courses
What you will learn
- How to find and connect with potential customers and stakeholders
- How to prototype a business idea using lean startup tools
- How to succinctly communicate your learnings with your peers
- How to use those skills to test the value of your idea
Expectations
- Connecting with and interviewing at least 5-10 new individuals weekly, for a total of 20 customer discovery interviews during the program
- Capturing insights from those interviews to help evolve your thinking around your project
- Briefly summarize and present weekly work
- Practice your storytelling skills through a 5-minute presentation on your customer discovery learnings
What you will leave with
- Connections to a new network of like-minded peers
- Skills that will help you move your innovation towards use out in the world, where it can have impact
- New insights about your customers that can dramatically increase odds of gaining future funding for commercialization
FAQ
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/Central 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. About a week before the course kickoff you will be notified if you are accepted or not.
4. Are NSF I-Corps Northwest Hub courses in-person or remote?
Each course is remote, 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/Central California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska), 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. What geographic areas are considered part of the Northwest Region?
The Northwest Region encompasses all of Central and 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.
Still have questions? Feel free to get in touch via email at venturecatalyst@ucdavis.edu.