Illinois I-Corps Workshop Series
The Illinois I-Corps Workshop Series uses the Lean LaunchPad method to give participants a working knowledge of how to think about their innovation ideas from a business and customer perspective, as well as how to conduct customer discovery interviews; the first step in any commercialization process. This course provides a set of skills and entrepreneurial knowledge that can be applied to any career path.
Benefits of the Program
- Develop best practices for conducting customer discovery and identifying key stakeholders.
- Learn, practice, and hone your innovation skills.
- Improve the odds for commercial success.
- Understand market trends and needs in your ecosystem.
- Expand your network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors
- Receive mentoring from experienced industry experts and entrepreneurs
- Become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program and $50,000 grant for qualifying technologies and teams
- Prepare for applying to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Summer 2026 Session Dates
Registration for Summer Illinois I-Corps is now open!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 25
Note: All sessions are virtual, and all times listed are CT.
- Mon | June 8 | 1:00-3:00pm - Session 1
- Mon | June 15 | 1:00-3:00pm - Session 2
- Mon | June 29 | 1:00-3:00pm - Session 3
- Mon | July 13 | 1:00-3:00pm - Session 4
- Mon | July 27 | 1:00-3:00pm - Session 5
If you have questions, please contact Riya Gupta, riyasg2@illinois.edu.
Register for the Summer Session
More 2026 Session Dates
- AgTech Cohort – Summer 2026
- This cohort is designed specifically for those with an agricultural innovation.
- 6/10, 6/17, 7/1, 7/15, 7/29
- Class sessions at 12pm CT Online.
- Registration is open for the AgTech cohort.
Register for the Summer Ag Tech Cohort
- Fall 2026
- 9/16, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4
- Class sessions 1–3pm CT
- Registration is not currently open for the fall cohort.