Purdue I-Corps: Discovery
Purdue I-Corps: Discovery
October 4 - November 8
Free
This cohort is full/closed. For other upcoming programs, see our events page. Questions can be directed to Geetali Pradhan, gpradhan@purdue.edu
Course Description
Purdue I-Corps: Discovery will help you explore the commercial viability of your deep tech innovation idea/IP. We teach the Lean LaunchPad approach, a process to help you systematically test key assumptions about your technology and the customer problems it might be able to solve better than current alternatives. This assessment of “technology-problem fit” is the critical first step toward commercial success for any technology venture. These courses are for researchers and students with deep tech IP and a strong interest in commercializing their technology. Researchers from other Midwest universities are welcome to apply.
Learning Objectives
- Develop familiarity with Lean LaunchPad concepts and tools such as customer discovery, ecosystem mapping, and the Value Proposition Canvas
- Understand customers’ problems (“pain points”) from THEIR perspective
- Map your customer ecosystem to understand customer roles, requirements, and decision processes
- Build connections to the commercial ecosystem (i.e. customers, suppliers, funders) for your innovation
Course Benefits
- Become eligible for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program and $50,000 grant for qualifying technologies and teams (only deep-tech, university-based teams who complete at least 20-30 customer discovery interviews)
- Increase chances of commercialization grants such as SBIR/STTR, PFI-TT, etc. ($250K-$2M)
- Gain valuable market insight to inform the next steps for your idea
- Develop network connections and receive mentoring from experienced industry experts and entrepreneurs
- Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and toolset needed for conducting use-inspired research and roles in industry, startups, or government
Course Schedule
All course events occur on Fridays from 2:00-4:00 PM ET.
- October 4: Kickoff
- October 11: Customer Discovery
- October 25: Product-Market Fit
- November 8: Next steps
In between the formal course sessions, you will conduct 20-30 customer discovery interviews, complete online learning assignments, apply the tools to your tech, and receive feedback and coaching from a team of experienced instructors/mentors.
This hands-on program takes work – 8-10 hours/per week throughout the course. In addition to the course deliverables, you are expected to “get out of the building” (virtually or physically, if safe) to interview and observe customers and stakeholders. Direct market interaction is vital to fine-tuning your customer segment and value proposition.
