The Michigan Tech I-Corps Program is a free five-week program to develop your business model. Enrolled teams learn the lean startup method through the process of customer discovery. Applying the scientific method, individuals and teams test hypotheses about their value proposition(s). The I-Corps teaching team mentors each cohort through the development of their business model. Michigan Tech teams who complete I-Corps are eligible to receive up to a $2,500 National Science Foundation mini-grant for continued customer discovery and prototyping costs. Eligible participants may go on to apply for the I-Corps National Program where eligible teams may compete for up to $50,000.
I-Corps Program
The National Science Foundation sees the benefit in applying the scientific method to entrepreneurial ventures. Our MTU I-Corps Program is a free five-week program in which teams go through a process of customer discovery to test their hypotheses about their product/service/value proposition. Teams who go through this process are eligible to receive up to $2500 for continued customer discovery and prototyping costs. In addition, eligible participants may go on to apply for the I-Corps National Program. With the support and mentorship of the teaching team will develop a business model to help them succeed.
University Innovation Fellowship
Fellows are students who want to make a difference on their campus and in the world. They have the ability and drive to create change so that they are being equipped with the skills to compete in the 21st century economy. Fellows at Michigan Technological University learn how to apply design thinking. They are part of the University Innovation Fellows program of Stanford University Hassos Plattner Institute of Design (d.school). UIF empowers students to be agents of change on their campuses.
Off-campus Opportunities
Why stop with MTU’s pitch competitions and I-Corps program? Check out our curated off-campus opportunities. These are of interest for anyone who is interested in: continuing to develop their business model during the summer months; gathering more feedback about their idea; winning prize money to fund their idea.
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Mentor Program
A mentor will help you along your innovation pathway. They will help you start your process, suggest improvements, and even help you with your next steps. Our mentors come from all different backgrounds and experiences. If you would like more information, please reach out to Lisa Casper.