Join us in an engaging workshop to learn how to think like a start-up and see if your research or innovation has the potential to effectively solve real-world problems. Our Novus I-Corps Program at Princeton University is a half-day introduction to I-Corps hosted by the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub.

The Novus I-Corps Program at Princeton University provides an opportunity for individuals and teams with innovations or ideas to:

• Shift the mindset from science and technology to the people who would benefit
• Understand how Customer Discovery drives innovation (and gets you out of the building!).
• Meet local leaders in NSF I-Corps and Princeton University's Office of Innovation to guide your journey.
• Learn tips for success from an I-Corps Alumni Panel sharing their experience.
• Network with innovation-minded individuals to help form teams or guide your next steps.

Who Should Attend: (Individuals and teams from any campus are invited)

• Princeton University faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduates, and alumni who are developing a scientific discovery or technical innovation. Local academic researchers from nearby institutions are welcome to attend.
• Individuals, including community innovators & local entrepreneurs, who want to learn how innovation happens at the Rutgers University and potentially join a team.
• Student Organization / Program Leaders who want to learn more about how I-Corps can benefit their members.
• Potential Mentors looking to get involved in supporting Rutgers startups.

Benefits:

• TRAINING: Three-hour training introducing the I-Corps Lean LaunchPad approach to evaluating technologies through customer-discovery research, focused on identifying the technology’s potential for development in a startup or other venture.
• NETWORKING: Build relationships with local I-Corps program leaders to get guidance and support. Individuals can form teams to be eligible to apply for the Regional I-Corps program.
• PREPARATION: Attendees will be prepared to begin a journey of Customer Discovery with their own team or with a team they newly created.
• FOLLOW-ON OPPORTUNITIES: Attendees can be fast-tracked to an upcoming 3-week regional I-Corps Program and have access to a $1,500 NSF grant to do Customer Discovery. Teams who complete 20+ interviews after Novus can become eligible to apply for the $50k National I-Corps Teams program.

For teams of 2+, see Upcoming Programs for Spring 2025 - Summer 2025 dates across the region.