Propelus I-Corps hosted by Rutgers University
Session dates: (Wednesdays)
- May 27, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (In-person)
- June 3, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Virtual)
- June 10, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (Virtual)
- June 24, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (In-person)
Our four-session Propelus program helps researchers explore the customer perspective to inform how a discovery or innovation can become the basis of a successful startup or venture.
Through the program, we provide training and grants to support team-based customer research aimed at investigating the viability and societal impact of scientific and technological discoveries.
To apply to attend the Propelus program, researchers must form a team of at least two people involved with the scientific or technological discovery. The team must include:
- An Entrepreneurial Lead (often a postdoctoral researcher, graduate student or undergraduate) and
- A Technical Lead (usually a faculty member)
- Please note: Non-university teams are also eligible if they have a tech- enabled innovation.
- (Optional) Industry Mentor (someone from outside the university with close ties to industry or has successfully commercialized a similar technology)
Benefits
- Training: Four sessions introducing the Lean LaunchPad methodology, which focuses on customer discovery research to evaluate the potential of your idea to solve problems and provide value. View a sample course agenda.
- Funding: Stipends of up to $1,500 are provided to each selected team and can be used to fund expenses related to customer discovery research, including conferences and marketing tools.
- Resources: Selected teams will receive mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs and innovators. Teams may also utilize many other programs offered by the Hub-affiliated institutions.
Follow-on opportunities: Upon completion, academic teams are eligible for the national NSF I-Corps Teams program which provides an intensive 7-week training course and a $50,000 grant.