Oct 13, 2025 | ALL DAY
-
Accelerate UConn is UConn’s National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program. Its mission is to propel entrepreneurial teams whose technology concepts are likely candidates for commercialization. Participating teams will receive an introduction to the most critical elements of the I-Corps Curriculum and Lean Launchpad methodology. With the support of Accelerate UConn, teams will learn first-hand about entrepreneurship and explore the transition of their ideas, devices, processes, new scientific discoveries or other intellectual activities into the marketplace.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2025 | PROPELUS COHORT
Program Dates
October 31st from 9:30am-3:30pm, In-person
November 6th from 3:00-6:00pm, Virtual
November 13th from 3:00-6:00pm, Virtual
November 20th from 3:00-6:00pm, Virtual
Benefits
The Propelus program is four weeks in length and includes an in-person kickoff and three webinars. The 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. Participants can expect to receive:
- 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.
- 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, select teams are eligible for the National NSF I-Corps Teams program which provides an intensive 7-week training course and a $50,000 grant.
Who Should Apply
To apply to 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 (EL) - often a postdoctoral researcher, graduate student or undergraduate
- a Technical Lead (TL) - usually a faculty member
Please note: Non-university teams are also eligible if they have a tech- enabled innovation
Funding
Participants will be eligible to receive a stipend up to $1,500 to support costs incurred during customer discovery. Eligibility for this stipend is contingent upon full participation in each program session, office hours with instructors, and submission of a customer discovery log reflecting a minimum of 20 interviews.
Apply
The application deadline for this cohort is 11:59pm on October 13, 2025.
APPLY HERE
