image caption goes here IdeaLaunch - Southwest I-Corps


Could Your Technology Become the Next Big Company?

Take your research from idea to real-world impact.

Join us for What Can I-Corps Do for You?, a half-day introductory workshop designed for faculty and graduate students interested in translating research into market-ready innovations through the I-Corps IdeaLaunch program.

What Is I-Corps IdeaLaunch?

IdeaLaunch is the NSF-funded I-Corps regional program focused on evaluating early-stage research and innovations for product–market fit.

Delivered through the Southwest I-Corps Hub, IdeaLaunch introduces teams to Lean Launchpad methodologies and evidence-based customer discovery—helping researchers determine whether their technology solves a real problem for real customers.

The Office of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at UT San Antonio delivers IdeaLaunch programming in collaboration with nine regional partner institutions.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will gain hands-on experience learning how to:

  • Translate research into commercial opportunities
  • Identify and validate customer needs
  • Define a compelling value proposition
  • Assess market demand and competitive landscape
  • Understand the pathway to commercialization funding

Pathway to National NSF I-Corps Funding

For teams interested in the $50,000 National NSF I-Corps customer discovery program, IdeaLaunch serves as a key qualifying and preparatory step.

Teams that fully participate in the workshop:

  • May be eligible for reimbursement of participation-related expenses
  • Gain access to additional commercialization resources
  • Strengthen eligibility for the National NSF I-Corps Team Program

Program Benefits

Teams that participate in IdeaLaunch will:

  • Develop entrepreneurial and customer discovery skills
  • Improve the likelihood of commercial success
  • Validate and refine their business model
  • Establish evidence of product–market fit
  • Gain eligibility to apply for the $50,000 National NSF I-Corps team grant

Who Should Participate

This program is ideal for:

  • Faculty researchers

  • Graduate students

  • Early-stage research teams

  • Students, faculty, and staff exploring commercialization or startup formation

No prior business or startup experience is required.

Team Eligibility

Interested teams must meet the following criteria:

  • A minimum of two founding team members

  • Demonstrated technical expertise in the research or innovation

  • Right to practice the associated intellectual property

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Faculty, students, and staff interested in translating their innovation into real-world impact are encouraged to apply.

For more information, please contact:
Kaitlyn Bloch, Program Manager
E: kaitlyn.Bloch@utsa.edu

[View our Upcoming Workshop]
[Learn More About I-Corps IdeaLaunch]