KU I-Corps: Great Plains Regional Hub

The University of Kansas, a member of the National Science Foundation I-Corps Regional Great Plains Hub, provides innovators with access to world-class, hands-on customer discovery training, mentorship and networking opportunities. I-Corps empowers researchers, students, faculty and community entrepreneurs to evaluate the commercial potential of their innovations through customer discovery and market validation.  

Whether your next step is startup formation, technology licensing, industry collaboration or further research funding, Regional I-Corps equips you with the skills and insights to assess market needs and identify the most promising path forward for your innovation.

Deadline: Sept. 8, 2026

Why should I apply to the I-Corps Regional program?

We have created an interactive training program that helps faculty, researchers, graduate students and others:

  1. Use the scientific method to validate whether your innovation solves a real customer need before investing time in commercialization activities
  2. Gain direct insight from potential customers, industry experts and strategic partners.
  3. Discover new markets and applications for your technology or research.
  4. Expand your professional network through customer interviews and cohort connections.
  5. Position your team for future funding opportunities, including NSF I-Corps Nationals. 
     

Ready to apply?

Browse the FAQs below to learn more and apply through the Great Plains I-Corps application portal.
Apply by Sept. 8 Apply by Sept. 8

I-Corps FAQs

  • Hands-on training in customer discovery and market validation.
  • Coaching and mentorship from experienced technology entrepreneurs and potentially industry mentors.
  • Practical tools to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and business model.
  • Valuable market intelligence to guide research, product development and funding strategies. 
  • Eligibility for NSF I-Corps Nationals and up to $50,000 in follow-on funding for qualified teams.
  • Ability to include learnings from the I-Corps program in other funding opportunities that validate your hypothesis.

Many innovators wonder, “Is I-Corps right for me?” 

I-Corps is ideal for:

  • Faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and research staff.
  • Innovation teams with a technology, invention or research-based idea.
  • Early-stage startups exploring a market opportunity.
  • Anyone interested in determining whether there is a real customer need for their innovation.

 

  • Learn the NSF I-Corps customer discovery methodology.
  • Conduct approximately 20 interviews with customers and stakeholders.
  • Test assumptions about markets, customers and value propositions.
  • Receive coaching from experienced instructors and mentors.
  • Refine a business model based on real-world feedback.
  • Being passionate about solving real-world problems.
  • Being willing to leave the lab and engage directly with customers.
  • Approaching the process with curiosity and an open mind.
  • Embracing feedback and using it to strengthen your innovation.
  • Commiting to completing 20 customer interviews and program activities.
  • Having a desire to understand whether your innovation has genuine market potential.

 

  • A clearer understanding of customer needs.
  • Evidence of market demand.
  • A stronger commercialization strategy.
  • Connections to mentors, partners and potential customers.
  • Data to support future grant proposals, startups or licensing decisions.

 

  • Entrepreneurial Lead (EL): A student, postdoctoral researcher, staff member or community entrepreneur who drives customer discovery and explores commercial opportunities.
  • Technical Lead (TL): The inventor, faculty member, lead researcher or technical expert with deep knowledge of the technology.
  • Industry Mentor (IM): An entrepreneur or industry professional who provides guidance on bringing the innovation to market.

The NSF I-Corps Regional program requires that each team has, at a minimum, an EL and a TL. IMs are encouraged but not required for the regional program, but they are required for NSF I-Corps Nationals. 

 

  • Up to $2,000 in customer discover funding for participating teams to spend.
  • Eligibility to apply for NSF I-Corps Nationals for $50,000 in funding. 
  • Strong preparation for future SBIR/STTR and other commercialization-focused funding opportunities.

Applications are due Sept. 8, 2026. Apply through the application portal. 

Virtual cohort sessions are all planned for Mondays from 4 – 6 p.m. CST, with sessions on:

  • Sept. 21
  • Sept. 28
  • Oct. 12
  • Oct. 26
  • Nov. 2  

The weeks of Oct. 5-19 have been reserved for customer discovery interviews.