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Accelerating Technology Commercialization

Illinois I-Corps teaches university faculty and student entrepreneurs  to identify valuable product opportunities that can emerge from academic research, and provides entrepreneurship training to participants.

AgTech Industry Connect

March 4-5, 2024 - Save the date!
EnterpriseWorks and Illinois Conference Center

AgTech Industry Connect | Held in tandem with the AgTech Innovation Summit, AgTech Industry Connect provides an opportunity for teams to network with hundreds of attendees and representatives from major agricultural companies. At the end of the Summit, teams will be invited to participate in the AgTech Showcase, where they will be able to present their ventures to attendees. Teams will attend a workshop prior to the AgTech Summit to prepare them for the opportunity, learning how to condense their pitch to make valuable connections as quickly as possible.

HOW TO TRANSFER
CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH INTO COMMERCIAL SUCCESS


THE NO. 1 REASON THAT STARTUPS FAIL:
BUILDING A PRODUCT THAT DOES NOT
SOLVE A CUSTOMER’S NEED!


Successfully commercializing technology takes more than the "if you build it, they will come" approach, and I-Corps can help you identify a successful path forward for your venture.  Avoid wasting time, money or social capital in building something that consumers will not buy.

Learn About Illinois I-Corps

The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program uses experiential education to help researchers gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship, starting a business or industry requirements and challenges. 

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Participate in I-Corps Programs

I-Corps programs can teach you how to translate promising ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.

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Mentor/Coach

Mentor a team or learn how to teach the I-Corps and Lean LaunchPad methodology. 

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$138M

AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT TEAMS HAVE RAISED

250+

NUMBER OF TEAMS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ILLINOIS I-CORPS

47

NUMBER OF TEAMS THAT HAVE LAUNCHED OUT OF ILLINOIS I-CORPS WITH 22 COMPANIES SHIPPING PRODUCT