University at Albany I-Corps Winter Cohort: Six Teams Complete Intensive Entrepreneurial Training

Five teams from UAlbany have successfully completed the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program during the recently completed winter cohort. The teams, comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, participated in the intensive 3.5-week session, with three teams distinguishing themselves by completing 20 or more interviews during the program. The teams include six UAlbany students.

The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program uses experiential education to help researchers gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship, starting a business, or exploring current industry challenges. The I-Corps Program @ UAlbany helps researchers (1) explore the market need for their work, (2) fund the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and (3) strengthen the commercialization plan of their next grant application.

The cohort was led by Kelly Reardon-Sleicher, Program Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University at Albany and Micah Kotch, Partner of Blackthorn Ventures. Reardon-Sleicher leads the NSF I-Corps program at UAlbany and has more than 16 years of entrepreneurial education experience. Kotch is a seasoned instructor for the national NSF I-Corps program and a startup founder with over two decades of experience in industry and venture development and growth.

A selection of standout teams from the winter cohort are:

1. Team KBS: Comprising three UAlbany students, Team KBS developed a table-top tensile tester, improving accessibility to a previously expensive and unwieldy tool used in academic training labs.

2. Team HaptiMed: Innovating in the medical field, Team HaptiMed created a haptic-enhanced laser stylus, enhancing tactile feedback for dentists and other practitioners during dental procedures.

3. Team ACES Group: ACES Group developed smart surfaces capable of bouncing high-frequency radio wave signals, enabling communication even in scenarios with no direct line of sight.

Successful teams earn eligibility to apply for the National I-Corps program, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey.

Other notable participants in the cohort include Team Augacero, Team Warning Project, and Team Nemesys Insights, each contributing valuable innovations to their respective fields.

To view these students click here: https://ualbany.meritpages.com/achievements/University-at-Albany-I-Corps-Winter-Cohort-Six-Teams-Complete-Intensive-Entrepreneurial-Training/175220