Berkeley NSF I-Corps

Do you have a startup idea? Are you looking for a proven method to validate your idea?

Berkeley NSF I-Corps offers a free remote 10 day course based on Steve Blank’s Lean LaunchPad. The three evening sessions teach you to identify your top customer segment and value propositions, and accelerate finding product market fit.

Outside of class, you’ll do at least 20 interviews with potential customers as part of the customer discovery process. Youcan expect to spend 30-35 hours outside of class on interviews. 

Eligible teams that complete the course with Hub recommendation might also qualify for the National NSF I-Corps program, which includes a $50,000 National Science Foundation customer discovery grant, or the Hub National program with $5,000 in customer discovery funding. Teams that complete the National program have a much higher funding rate, including SBIR grants and investment, and alumni include Inkspace Imaging (SkyDeck/Bakar Fellow), Correlia Biosystems (Y Combinator), Intropic Materials (Activate Fellow), and Amber Bio (a16z). 

UC Berkeley is the lead institution of the NSF I-Corps Hub Northwest. 

When: Course sessions are held online April 20, 23, & 30 from 5-8pm PST

Who: Any team (2-4 people) with a STEM technology based startup idea

Application deadline: March 27

You’ll find the application for the course here. You’ll be contacted 2-3 weeks before the first day of class to schedule a team interview with the I-Corps instructor.