Posted January 22, 2021 by Alyssa Amen
NUtech Ventures, the Center for Entrepreneurship, The Combine Incubator and the National Strategic Research Institute will lead a free, four-session customer discovery training program Feb. 8-March 22. Registration is open for the spring 2021 session.
The non-credit program is open to Nebraska faculty, students, staff and postdoctoral scholars interested in strategies for connecting research with market applications. It is based on the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps program, known as NSF I-Corps, which helps researchers develop a value proposition and customer segmentation. After identifying and interviewing prospective customers, researchers can use feedback to guide decisions about a startup company or technology commercialization.
The program features four evening sessions, to be held virtually, led by a team of university instructors and an NSF I-Corps instructor. It also includes office hours with instructors between sessions. Participants may sign up individually or in teams of up to five people. The program cohort is limited to 16 teams. All team members must attend all N-ICD classes unless provided prior authorization by the organizers.
Program dates include:
- Kick-off event: Monday, Feb. 8 (4-6:30 p.m. CST)
- Midpoint #1: Monday, Feb. 22 (4-6:30 p.m. CST)
- Midpoint #2: Monday, March 8 (4-6:30 p.m. CST)
- Finale: Monday, March 22 (4- 6:30 p.m. CST)
Teams will need to check in with instructors three times during office hours. Check-ins are approximately 30-minute virtual meetings between a team and an instructor to discuss progress. Instructors’ office hour availability for check-ins will be shared at the kick-off event.
For more information, contact Joy Eakin, operations manager.
