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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.
Register for the Fall 2026 Cohort!
Registration Deadline | August 31
Explore the potential commercial application of your research with help from the Illinois I-Corps Workshop Series. Improve the odds for commercial success, understand market trends and needs in your ecosystem and receive mentoring from experienced industry experts and entrepreneurs.
The I-Corps Program Drives Innovation and Economic Growth in the State of Illinois
Illinois is emerging as a flourishing hub for university driven entrepreneurship. Illinois companies and startups fueled by the I-Corps program have generated a stunning $1,395,870,000 in total economic impact, according to data as of February 2026. I-Corps trained companies have secured over $475,000,000 in follow-on funding, resulting in the creation of 318 jobs and 4,106 job years since 2012.
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.
Participate in I-Corps Programs
I-Corps programs can teach you how to translate promising ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.
Mentor/Coach
Mentor a team or learn how to teach the I-Corps and Lean LaunchPad methodology.
AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT TEAMS HAVE RAISED
PARTICIPANTS IN ILLINOIS I-CORPS
DEPARTMENTS REPRESENTED ACROSS CAMPUS