UNC Charlotte I-Corps
Entrepreneurial Training for Research Innovators
UNC Charlotte’s I-Corps program empowers faculty, researchers, students, and innovators to evaluate the commercial potential of their technologies through hands-on entrepreneurial training. As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Mid-Atlantic Hub, UNC Charlotte helps research teams transform discoveries into solutions with real-world impact.
NSF I-Corps Summer 2026 Cohort
UNC Charlotte is now accepting applications for the NSF I-Corps Summer 2026 Regional Course Program, a virtual program for faculty and graduate student teams ready to explore the market potential of their research.
Application Deadline: June 15, 2026
Format: Virtual
Who Should Apply: Faculty and Graduate Student teams
Duration: July 15–August 5
Commitment: Weekly sessions + customer interviews
What is I-Corps?
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) is an immersive entrepreneurial training program designed to help researchers extend their work beyond the lab and identify real-world market opportunities. Through customer discovery, market research, and mentorship, participants assess whether their innovations solve meaningful problems and have commercialization potential.
UNC Charlotte has been an NSF I-Corps Site since 2015 and has trained hundreds of teams across the region. In 2024, UNC Charlotte officially joined the NSF I-Corps Mid-Atlantic Hub, expanding access to regional resources, mentorship, and funding pathways.
Inside the I-Corps Experience
Program Benefits
Participants gain practical tools and experience to evaluate the commercial potential of their research and accelerate innovation pathways.
Customer Discovery: Learn how to identify and engage potential users and stakeholders through structured interviews and field research.
Market Validation: Test assumptions and determine whether your innovation addresses a meaningful and viable market need.
Commercialization Readiness: Build a clear pathway toward licensing, startup creation, or future funding opportunities.
Mentorship & Networks: Gain access to experienced mentors, entrepreneurs, and regional innovation partners.
Your I-Corps Journey
The I-Corps experience is a structured, hands-on program focused on real-world learning and validation.
Step 1: Training Sessions
Participate in guided workshops focused on entrepreneurial fundamentals and customer discovery.
Step 2: Customer Interviews
Engage directly with potential users, customers, and stakeholders to test assumptions.
Step 3: Insight Development
Analyze feedback and refine your understanding of market needs and opportunities.
Step 4: Final Presentation
Share findings and recommendations for next steps in commercialization.
Who Should Apply
This program is designed for:
• Faculty Researchers
• Graduate Students
• Postdoctoral Scholars
• Research Staff
No business plan is required, only an interest in exploring real-world impact.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have:
✔ A research-based idea, invention, or technology
✔ A connection to a UNC Charlotte Faculty member and graduate student
✔ Interest in commercialization or real-world application
✔ Willingness to conduct customer discovery interviews
Teams and individual applicants are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does our technology need to be NSF-funded to participate?
No, prior NSF funding is not required to join UNC Charlotte I-Corps. Teams with innovations supported by other funding sources or no external funding at all are welcome to apply if they are interested in exploring commercialization pathways.
Do we need a complete team to apply?
No. If you are interested in participating but do not yet have a full team, you may still apply. The UNC Charlotte I-Corps team may be able to help connect you with potential collaborators or mentors as part of the application process.
Can teams from outside UNC Charlotte participate?
Yes. Teams from other institutions within the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps network are eligible to apply, depending on space and program guidelines. Priority may be given to UNC Charlotte-affiliated teams.
Can our team have more than one faculty or graduate student member?
The standard I-Corps team structure includes one faculty member and one graduate student. In some cases, additional team members or advisors may participate, depending on the project needs and program guidance.
Ready to Explore Your Innovation’s Potential?
Join UNC Charlotte I-Corps and take the next step toward transforming your research into real-world impact.
Contact
For questions about the UNC Charlotte I-Corps Program, please contact:
Devin Collins, devin.collins@charlotte.edu
Regional Innovation Officer, Office of Research Commercialization and Partnerships