We are thrilled to announce that the University of New Hampshire (UNH) will be joining a prestigious MIT-led Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub, thanks to a significant grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This initiative is set to launch in January 2025, and aims to foster science and technology entrepreneurship across New England.
What is the I-Corps Program?
Launched in 2011, the I-Corps program is designed to help researchers translate their scientific discoveries into commercial technologies. It provides hands-on educational experiences that guide scientists, engineers and innovators through the process of bringing their innovations from the lab to the marketplace. The program has already supported over 2,500 teams nationwide and fostered the launch of nearly 1,400 startups since the program’s inception. Learn more about the NSF I-Corps
Introducing the New England I-Corps Hub
The new I-Corps Hub, led by MIT, includes a collaboration of eight prominent New England universities: Brown University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, Tufts University, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and our very own University of New Hampshire. This partnership is expected to significantly enhance the region's innovation ecosystem by providing extensive resources and training to researchers. See the NSF I-Corps Hubs
How UNH and the Region Will Benefit
By joining this hub, UNH will gain access to a wealth of resources and expertise that will help accelerate the commercialization of research conducted by our faculty, staff, and students. This collaboration will not only boost our local economy but also contribute to solving some of society's most pressing challenges through innovative solutions.
A Collaborative Effort at UNH
The I-Corps program at UNH is a collaborative effort involving university leadership, the College of Engineering and Physical Science, and will be led by the team at UNH Innovation. This joint effort underscores our commitment to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus and beyond. More information about programming will be coming soon to the UNH Innovation website.
Proven Success Stories at UNH
In previous years, numerous UNH innovators have benefited from the I-Corps program's business development and customer discovery training. UNH hosted the program under a previous grant from 2016-2021. The training has been instrumental in helping them refine their ideas, understand market needs, and develop strategies to bring their innovations to market successfully. This track record of success highlights the program's impact on empowering our researchers and entrepreneurs to turn their academic research into viable commercial ventures.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Innovation at UNH
As we prepare to embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to the opportunities that the I-Corps Hub will bring to UNH and the broader New England region. This initiative represents a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and diverse innovation ecosystem, ensuring that groundbreaking research can lead to tangible benefits for society.
Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the launch date. We are excited to see the innovative solutions that will emerge from this collaboration and the positive impact they will have on our community and beyond.
