Vanderbilt University

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George Mason University

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Jackson State University

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University of Virginia

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Tennessee State University

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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University of Kentucky

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Meharry Medical College

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University of Louisville

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Vanderbilt University - George Mason University - Jackson State University - University of Virginia - Tennessee State University - University of Tennessee, Knoxville - University of Kentucky - Meharry Medical College - University of Louisville -

Regional Cohorts

If you are interested in joining a regional program, available cohorts are listed below. Most regional cohorts are held virtually.

Fall Cohorts are currently open for the Overall Hub Vanderbilt University, Tennessee State University, and George Mason University.

Vanderbilt University

The Sullivan Family Ideator program is composed of 5 virtual, interactive sessions with required instructor and mentor office hours. Each participant will have the opportunity to pitch their idea for potential microgrant funding.
At the end of the full program, Pitch Day will be held and participants will have the opportunity to pitch their idea to a group of high-caliber judges composed of business leaders, investors, and accomplished entrepreneurs. Microgrants will be provided for a number of teams that excel in the Ideator Program.
The Builder program provides a step-by-step guide for aspiring university-affiliated entrepreneurs (students, faculty, staff, and alumni) with a viable early-stage idea to launch a new venture.
Builder is the perfect next step for graduates of a Regional NSF I-Corps Program, such as the Sullivan Family Ideator Program, or entrepreneurs with a validated product, technology, or service that have already engaged in customer discovery efforts, found a problem-solution fit and would like to learn how to launch a new non-profit or for-profit venture or pursue a licensing deal.
Eligibility for the program includes that:
1. the team has completed a Regional NSF I-Corps Program (ie the Sullivan Family Ideator Program),
2. has performed at minimum 30 customer discovery interviews
3. has a defined value proposition and
4. has identified initial customer segments.
INNOVATOR Fall 2026 Cohort:
2 Cohort Dates:
- August 26 - September 30
- October 20 - November 24.
The INNOVATOR Program is an immersive launchpad for turning bold ideas into fundable ventures. As the flagship ideation program of the Vanderbilt Innovation Corps, INNOVATOR brings aspiring entrepreneurs together for five dynamic virtual sessions designed to sharpen thinking, stress-test assumptions, and accelerate the path from concept to customer.
Participants work hand-in-hand with seasoned instructors and industry mentors through dedicated office hours, gaining personalized feedback every step of the way. Along the journey, each participant has the opportunity to pitch their idea for microgrant funding — real capital to turn vision into traction.
The program culminates in Pitch Day, where participants present to a distinguished panel of business leaders, investors, and accomplished entrepreneurs. Standout teams earn microgrants to fuel their next chapter.
This is where your next big thing begins.
Click here to apply for Innovator - Cohort 1.

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia regional program is intended to dive into the business model canvas, customer segments, value propositions and business thesis; Teams will be guided as they complete 20+ interviews; These sessions best prepare teams interested in the National I-Corps program.
NOTE: Teams are encouraged to participate in more than one cohort, as customer discovery or work on additional value propositions uncovers new opportunities for their innovations.
Additional in-person networking and presentation options may be added to virtual programs.
UVA Fall 2026 Discovery:
Dates: November 3 - December 8
This virtual cohort will encompass a broad overview of core I-CORPS concepts.
Learn more HERE.
Applications are currently closed.

University of Kentucky

UAccel offers professional development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators who are interested in learning the best commercialization path for their solutions.

The goal of the program is to advance an innovation toward commercialization, including preparations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants or National I-Corps applications, creation of a startup, or partnering with an established company to license the technology.

UAccel has two phases. Quick Start is the first phase, and the second phase is I-Corps.
UAccel I-Corps: AgTech Cohort Summer 2026
Dates: May 15-Jul. 24
UAccel, a regional I-Corps program, offers professional development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators who are interested in learning the best commercialization path for their solutions.

This special edition cohort of UAccel I-Corps is run in collaboration with the Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp.
UAccel I-Corps Fall Cohort 2026
Dates: Sept. 11 - Nov. 6
UAccel, a regional I-Corps program, offers professional development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators who are interested in learning the best commercialization path for their solutions.
Applications are currently closed.
Registration will open on July 31.

George Mason University

The George Mason University I-Corps Program will work on exploratory business ventures started by faculty, staff, students, and recent alumni, to accelerate business exploration and creation.
The program will include an I-Corps Short Course designed to introduce participants to the key concepts and methodologies used in I-Corps, which is the rigorous market assessment and validation program pioneered by the NSF.
The program will provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training, and potentially funding (awards of up to $3,000 per team) to enable teams to transition their work towards the marketplace or into becoming National I-Corps Team applicants.
Mason I-Corps NextGen Digital Technology Cohort:
Dates: August 24 - October 1
NOTE: This cohort is virtual except for September 24 and 25, which will be held at the Quantum World Congress at The Hotel at the University of Maryland.
Cost/Session:
The I-Corps training is at no cost for all participating teams. The Mid-South I-Corps Hub will cover Quantum World Congress registration fees and travel expenses, including a meal stipend, for one member from each team to attend Quantum World Congress 2026.
Agenda:
This cohortoffers this Immersive NSF Regional Cohort concurrently with the Quantum World Congress (QWC) 2026 to assist university and community (start ups with real/deep technology) innovators that want to take their ideas and solutions to market.
This program teaches an evidence-based approach to idea evaluation. Is the idea desirable? Who is the ideal audience? Where do you even start? This cohort is here to help answer those questions. Centered around customer discovery and Lean Launch methodology, you will determine if your idea solves a need and for whom.
Regional I-Corps Summer Cohort
Dates: Jul. 9 - Jul. 30
George Mason University's NSF I-Corps Regional Program supports faculty, researchers, students, and innovators from the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond to explore the commercial viability of their technology-based ideas/innovations. We offer a five-session course introducing participants to the lean startup method pioneered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to accelerate technology commercialization for a real-world impact.
Applications for the Immersive Mason I-Corps NextGen Digital Technology Cohort are open. Click here to apply by August 10.
Please contact Sampson Addo at saddo2@gmu.edu for further inquiries.

Tennessee State University

I-Corps training is provided through the Tennessee State University Office of Technology Transfer in the Division of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Innovator Entrepreneurship Bootcamp Fall 2026
Dates: August 14 - September 4
The Fall 2026 Innovator Entrepreneurship Bootcamp (IEB) is a five-week I-Corps-inspired program designed for Tennessee State University faculty, staff, and students. Participants will explore the commercial potential of their ideas through customer discovery, value proposition development, market validation, and business model strategy while receiving guidance from experienced mentors.
Click here to apply by August 11.
If you would like additional information, you can email the following:
Robert Turner, Technology Transfer and Innovation Manager
Email: rturne10@tnstate.edu

Meharry Medical College

Program information is coming soon.
Check back for more dates.
Applications are currently closed.

University of Arkansas

The I-Corps Program at the University of Arkansas is an entrepreneurial training experience designed to transform groundbreaking research into impact. By moving ideas beyond the laboratory and into the marketplace, I-Corps accelerates the societal benefits of innovation, equipping faculty, staff, and students with the tools to create meaningful change. This experiential program builds an entrepreneurial workforce, translates cutting-edge research into market-driven solutions, maximizes the impact of academic research and discoveries, and strengthens the state’s innovation ecosystem.
At the University of Arkansas, we encourage innovators to explore how commercialization can open new avenues of discovery while creating tangible benefits for our state and beyond. There are two primary ways to get involved with I-Corps at the University of Arkansas:
1. Join existing entrepreneurship training programs. Programs such as New Venture Development already meet NSF’s regional I-Corps course objectives and are led by nationally trained instructors. Additional programs will be added soon as regional I-Corps offerings expand.
2. Participate in a regional I-Corps team cohort. Teams consist of a technical lead, an entrepreneurial lead, and an industry mentor. These cohorts, which will launch soon at the University of Arkansas, provide hands-on opportunities to validate research ideas, engage with industry, and prepare for commercialization.
The I-Corps Program is more than training, it is a launchpad for discovery, innovation, and impact.
UA I-Corps Summer 2026
Dates: June 11 - July 16
The NSF I-Corps Regional Program at the University of Arkansas is a short experiential course designed to help innovators explore the market potential of their ideas.
Open to faculty, students, staff, and community members across Arkansas and the Mid-South Hub, the program welcomes a broad range of technologies and concepts at any stage.

Using the lean startup methodology developed by the National Science Foundation, teams conduct 20+ customer discovery interviews to better understand real problems, refine their value proposition, and assess potential pathways forward. Participants will work through core components of the business model while gaining practical skills in evaluating market fit.

This program serves as a strong foundation for next steps, including National I-Corps, translational funding opportunities, or early-stage venture development.
Applications are currently closed.

Jackson State University

Objectives of the JSU I-Corps Program:
Offer entrepreneurial training and development opportunities for faculty and student teams in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to prepare them for participation in the NSF I-Corps or for further commercialization;
Build the capacity of faculty and students to explore the translation of academic research into tools, products, services, etc. that are favorable candidates for commercialization.
Click here to learn more about the program.
Regional Cohort Info:
The I-Corps program is targeted toward research with commercializing potential and is an evidence-based approach to bring ideas from lab to market (i.e. projects funded by a national lab or research organization). Although called tech transfer, it does not have to be an idea based in STEM. This opportunity is also open to non-profits, social impact, education, and more.
I-Corps 101 programming welcomes all applicants, from all backgrounds.
Jackson State University NSF I-Corps 101 Summer 2026 Cohort:
The I-Corps program is targeted toward research with commercializing potential and is an evidence-based approach to bring ideas from lab to market (i.e. projects funded by a national lab or research organization). Although we call it tech transfer, it does not have to be an idea based in STEM. We are open to non-profits, social impact, education, etc.

For best consideration, please apply by Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Virtual I-Corps 101 course times are:
June 23, 2026. 5pm -8pm CT
June 30, 2026. 5pm -8pm CT
July 7, 2026. 5pm -8pm CT
July 14, 2026. 5pm -8pm CT

Jackson State University is offering FREE High Quality Innovation and Entrepreneurship training for students, faculty, staff, and alumni from any academic institution.
Applications are currently closed.
If you have questions about participation, please contact:
Mr. Latane Brackett, III, Innovation Program Manager
Tel: 601.979.2101
Email:latane.e.brackett_iii@jsums.edu

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The workshop is a hands-on introduction to the process of Customer Discovery designed to give the entrepreneur insight into how future customers will respond to products that are developed by the new venture.

For more information, you can contact Nanda Coimbra at mcoimbra@utk.edu.
Check back for more dates.
Applications are currently closed.
Learn more HERE.
If you have further questions, contact Nanda Coimbra at mcoimbra@utk.edu.

university of louisville

University of Louisville

LaunchIt is an innovation bootcamp through the University of Louisville’s Office of Research and Innovation. It is focused on product development and validation ahead of market launch. In just eight weeks, we help innovators and entrepreneurs test their ideas or products in the real world and see if they have what it takes to stick.
Defense LaunchIt
Dates: July 2 - August 13
3:30 - 5:00 PM EST
Join us this summer for a new defense focused LaunchIt in collaboration with OnRamp Hub: Kentucky to accelerate introduction of dual-use technologies into the DOW and national security space. In just seven weeks, we help innovators and entrepreneurs test their ideas or products in the real world and see if they have what it takes to stick.
Applications are currently closed.

University of Memphis

The Division of Research & Innovation serves researchers in every department on campus in their mission to grow the impact of research. Regardless of discipline, we believe that every faculty member is capable of finding funding and achieving national visibility for their work. Our office includes Research Development, Sponsored Programs, Research Compliance, Office of Technology Transfer, the FedEx Institute of Technology, and Animal Care Services.
NSF I-Corps Summer 2026:
Dates: July 8 - August 12
The Division of Research & Innovation serves researchers and students in every department on campus in their mission to grow the impact of research. Regardless of discipline, we believe that every faculty member and student is capable of finding funding and achieving national visibility for their work. Our office includes Research Development, Sponsored Programs, Research Compliance, Office of Technology Transfer, the FedEx Institute of Technology, and Animal Care Services.
Applications are currently closed.

Overall Mid-South Hub

Overall Regional Cohorts of the Mid-South Hub are a network of entrepreneurial training programs designed to help innovators transform research and ideas into real-world impact. Delivered across partner institutions throughout the Mid-South, these cohorts provide a structured, hands-on pathway for students, faculty, researchers, and community members to explore commercialization and validate the market potential of their innovations.
Builder Program - Fall 2026 Cohort:
Dates: August 26 - October 7
Build on your progress. The virtual Builder Program at Vanderbilt provides a step-by-step guide for aspiring university-affiliated entrepreneurs (students, faculty, staff, and alumni) with a viable early-stage idea to launch a new venture. Builder is the perfect next step for graduates of a Regional NSF I-Corps Program or entrepreneurs with a validated product, technology, or service that have already engaged in customer discovery efforts, found a problem-solution fit and would like to learn how to launch a new non-profit or for-profit venture or pursue a licensing deal.
Click here to apply for the Builder Program by July 29.

Fill out this form if you are interested in joining the Mid-South Hub’s Regional Teaching and Support Team.