The I-Corps program was created by the NSF in 2011 to transition federally funded research projects at colleges and universities into commercial products. The University of Central Florida (UCF) was designated an I-Corps Site in 2014. The funding will support curriculum and instruction for the selected teams, mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, assistance with identifying potential markets and customers, and testing their business model and new products in USF’s business incubator. The goal is to launch multiple successful start-up companies at the end of the three-year grant.”USF already is a strong leader in bringing the scientific and technology discoveries of our faculty, students, and community out of the lab and into the marketplace,” said Paul Sanberg, USF senior vice president for research, innovation and economic development. “This grant is important in our joint efforts with our partners from both the Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. It places our state at the forefront of academic technology transfer.”
The Florida Consortium of Metropolitan Research Universities is composed of USF, UCF and Florida International University. The Florida High Tech Corridor Council comprises USF, UCF and the University of Florida.