National I-Corps
Taking your startup to the next level
"The NSF I-Corps Teams program is incredibly rewarding. In less than two months the team will learn what it typically takes entrepreneurs two years to learn."
- Christina Pellicane, I-Corps Northeast Hub Lead Instructor
Teams that are successful in the 4-session Hub Regional Program can apply to move forward on developing their idea into an active startup company.
The NSF I-Corps Teams program is an intensive 7-week bootcamp that covers key concepts related to testing and building a business model.
Teams are selected for participation in the program on a competitive basis. If selected, teams will participate alongside teams from other regions.
The NSF I-Corps Teams program is an intensive time commitment. Each team member will have to put in many hours and should not expect to have significant free time for other activities, including lab work, during the 7-week program.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Previous participation in the Hub 4-session course is not required, but is highly recommended.
- To be eligible, the team must have an NSF research grant relevant to the technology being developed by the team or have participated in a regional I-Corps program.
- Teams accepted into the program receive a $50,000 grant for the purpose of conducting
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More opportunities
State specific opportunities & resources
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•Catalyst R&D - Applicants developing life sciences therapeutics can apply for grants of up to $150,000, all other Applicants are eligible to apply for grants of up to $75,000. (not currently accepting applications)
•SBIR/STTR Direct Financial Assistance Program- Direct Funding Grant (For Phase I, Fast-Track, and Direct-to-Phase II Award Winners): CSIT will provide a grant of $25,000 each to thirty NJ small business that have received a Phase I, Fast-Track, or Direct-to-Phase II award letter/contract.
- Bridge Funding Grant (For Phase II SBIR/STTR Applicants): CSIT will provide a $50,000 bridge grant to ten NJ small businesses that have competed Phase I of Federal SBIR/STTR program and have applied for Phase II.
•Tech R&D Voucher Program - Supports early-stage companies in NJ to access core facilities, equipment and makerspaces at any participating NJ University Facility or Government labs for technological research and development. Eligible applicants can apply for multiple Vouchers up to a cap of $15,000 within any twelve (12)-month period.
•NJ FOUNDERS & FUNDERS – Warm introductions between emerging New Jersey innovative companies and angel & institutional investors.
•Golden Seeds - NJEDA will create the opportunity to increase available capital for women-led businesses as well as mentoring women entrepreneurs through monthly office hours with an anticipated outcome of greater success for women-led businesses.
•Angel Investor Tax Credit Program - 20% of the qualified investment made in a NJ emerging technology business, with potential increase to 25% if the business is certified woman or minority-owned or located in an Opportunity Zone or New Markets Tax Credit Census Tract. Consider adding a slide to your pitch deck!
•NJ ACCELERATE – Graduates of an approved accelerator may receive: 1:1 matching loan funding up to $250,000; NJEDA grant rent support up to 6 months. -
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•Bronze Valley Accelerator: Bronze Valley VentureLab DE Accelerator is a free, seven-week accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots. Each program is capped at five teams and requires no fees and no equity. The Bronze Valley Accelerator focuses on supporting female entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color. The Bronze Valley Accelerator is a program of the nationally ranked startup accelerator gener8tor.
•EDGE Grants: The DE Div. of Small Business awards EDGE Grants through a competitive selection process. STEM-based companies can receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses.
•DTIP Grants: The Delaware Technical Innovation Program (DTIP) offers transition grants for companies that have completed Phase I and applied for Phase II of the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs as they work to bring new products to market.
•Startup 302: Startup302 is Delaware's premier funding competition for technology-enabled startups led by underrepresented founders. Also open to companies outside of Delaware.
•R&D Tax Credit: Delaware has one of the Best R&D Tax Credits in the US. This Credit promotes new research and development by lowering payments on taxable expenses. Small businesses (under annual gross receipts of $20 million) are eligible for additional tax credit. The credit is refundable.
•DE Innovation Space: collaborative workspace with more 130k square feet of multiuse lab space, offices, conference rooms, and common areas. Designed to support biotechnology, chemistry, and materials science research. Also offers funding options, like the First Fund, which could provide up to $200k in cash, lab space, and support services.
•Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI): promotes research, education, and technology transfer for biotechnology applications to the benefit of the environment, agriculture, and human health. Fosters collaborations between entrepreneurs and academic researchers, including through grant programs.
•DTP@STAR: offers flexible, state-of-the art incubation space and access to resources development-stage companies need to drive and accelerate their economic success.Visit the Delaware Prosperity Partnership site for more information
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•Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) – BFTP is a statewide organization that provides both early-stage, technology-based firms and established manufacturers with funding, business and technical expertise, and access to a network of innovative, expert resources.
•Pennsylvania Life Sciences Greenhouse: The Life Sciences Greenhouses are models of effectiveness and efficiency. They capture the innovation potential of the life sciences industry and nurture that potential with critical early-stage funding and sector-specific business expertise. Pennsylvanians benefit directly as new companies are formed, jobs are created, additional capital is attracted to the Commonwealth, and life-saving technologies reach patients.
•Innovation Partnership (Ipart) – IPart is a statewide consortium of economic development, business assistance, and higher education organizations that provide early-stage technology companies with free proposal writing assistance, training, and financial assistance. The goal: Help Pennsylvania-based clients secure federal funding opportunities – Specifically, SBIR/STTR.
•Keystone Innovation Zone – An incentive program that provides tax credits to for-profit companies less than eight years old operating within specific targeted industries within the boundaries of a Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ).
•Keystone Opportunity Zone – An incentive program that eliminates specific state and local taxes within specific underdeveloped and underutilized areas, communities within Pennsylvania are experiencing economic growth.
•Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) – PennTAP is a statewide federal, state, and University partnership network of expert technical advisors helps organizations maximize their competitiveness through in-person and virtual consultations, unbiased technical advice, online educational resources, and connections to Penn State experts, resources, and programs.
•Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP) – PA’s network of business assistance partners help companies start, grow and prosper. PREP partners have the experience and know-how to assist individuals who have an idea and need help with the basics of starting a new venture. PREP also works with existing companies that seek assistance.
•Manufacturing PA Initiative – The Manufacturing PA Initiative includes DCED’s strategic partners, such as the seven Industrial Resource Centers (IRC) to provide critical training and workforce development opportunities supporting the manufacturing industry and its workforce. Job training to career pathways is a primary focus of the initiative’s efforts.
•NextFab: NextFab is a network of membership-based makerspaces that provide access to tools, technology, education, events, and services for makers of any skill level. We offer a variety of education and startup programs, as well as professional design, production, and placemaking services for whatever your fabrication needs. Several NSF I-Corps Teams graduates have worked with NextFab for prototyping.
•B.Labs: B.Labs powered by the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) is a 50,000 SF life science incubator that provides flexible, plug & play lab and research space, within a specialized network of resources, programming, and expertise. Addressing the region's intense demand, B.Labs will feature newly-constructed premier lab space with the latest equipment and technology.
•The Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies: PACT is a resource for fast growing companies, and a driver of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Philadelphia region, and a leader in creating access and equity for underrepresented founders. Our programs positively impact a company’s life cycle – from start-up through continuing growth – by facilitating interaction, information, and education.
Science Inc. Accelerator
The Science Inc.™ Accelerator is a virtual, cohort-based accelerator for early-stage startups in the sciences. Over four months, participants work to advance their startup toward major goals to move their businesses more quickly toward success. The Innovation Space offers eligible startups an opportunity to apply for funding. Apply here by July 17, 2023.
Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs
Powered by BioLabs and founded by Princeton University, Princeton Innovation Center BioLabs is a premier incubator for early-stage technology and life science startups in New Jersey. We offer shared and private labs, premium office space, wet lab space for chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical development, and dry lab space for engineering and material science development. Apply today!
MassChallenge - accelerator
MassChallenge uses a competition model to select our startups. Prospective MassChallenge startups submit an application(s) for the MassChallenge accelerator program(s) they would like to join. After submitting the application, startups will participate in one or two rounds of judging. At the end of these judging rounds, the highest-impact and highest-potential startups are invited to participate in the accelerator as Finalists. Ongoing application period.