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Why should teams participate?

  • Gain professional development experience for work in academia, industry, and startups

  • Learn about potential customer interests and needs

  • Learn the fundamentals of technology commercialization

  • Broaden the impacts of NSF funded proposals and grants

Where do ideas and technologies come from?

Ideas and technologies for projects can originate from student work, research (funded or unfunded), institutional, or industrial projects. The topical focus of a project must be in the area(s) of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) normally supported by the National Science Foundation. Innovations in the humanities, business, social sciences and interdisciplinary fields are also eligible if there is a technology application.

Building your team

Teams for I-Corps @ Harvard can be made up of one to five participants, although teams of at least two members are highly encouraged because it makes customer discovery interviewing more efficient.
 

Teams should consider filling the following three roles:

  • Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) – This individual should possess relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigate the market opportunity for the innovation.

  • Technical Lead (TL) – This individual should possess deep and direct technical expertise in the actual core innovation. This person typically also serves as the Principal Investigator.

  • Industry Mentor (IM) –This person will typically be an experienced or emerging entrepreneur with proximity to Harvard and experience in transitioning technology out of academia but is independent from the technology development and team. As teams progress beyond I-Corps @ Harvard, program staff members can assist with identifying a potential industry mentor.
     

We encourage teams to apply for our next cohort. If you need assistance forming your team or have questions, please email: grid@harvard.edu

Upcoming cohort details

Harvard Spark - Innovators Jumpstart

Applications are due by 5pm on May 28, 2025

Important: Under the first drop down menu, Program date I am interested in: select: Harvard Spark Innovators Jumpstart

​Program Dates

  • June 4th – 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. – Kickoff

  • Week of June 9th – Office Hours #1 (1 hour per team)

  • Week of June 16th – Office Hours #2 (1 hour per team)

  • June 25th – 4:00-7:00 p.m. – Final Presentations & Wrap-up

How to participate

Step 1: Spark (3-week virtual program) Course offered 2x per month

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Step 2: Fusion (Self-paced program)

  • Must first complete the Spark program

  • Conduct 12 new interviews and craft a final presentation

  • Gain additional coaching and funding for further customer discovery

  • Apply for $1,000 for travel expenses

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Step 3: National I-Corps Program

  • Expected to have completed the Spark first

  • Deeper and broader customer discovery 

  • 7 week immersive program, 100 interviews

  • Eligible for $50,000 NSF grant

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Unlock the potential of your research with I-Corps

The Harvard I-Corps program offers a free, 3 week customer discovery course that provides an accessible starting point for researchers interested in translating their research into market-ready solutions. With no prior experience required, this program offers mentoring, training, and future opportunities for funding to help teams explore the potential of their technology concepts in real-world applications.

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June Cohort Now Enrolling

New Cohorts Begin Every Month

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