NUtech Ventures, the Center for Entrepreneurship, The Combine Incubator and the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) are leading a free, three-session customer discovery training program beginning September 29 and concluding November 11, 2020.

The non-credit program is open to Nebraska faculty, students, staff and postdoctoral scholars interested in strategies for connecting research with market applications. It is based on the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps), which helps researchers develop a value proposition and customer segmentation. After identifying and interviewing prospective customers, researchers can use feedback to guide decisions about a startup company or technology commercialization.

The program features three evening sessions, to be held virtually, led by a team of UNL instructors and an NSF National I-Corps instructor. It also includes office hours with instructors between sessions.

Participants may sign up individually or in teams of up to five people. The program cohort will be limited to 12 teams. All team members must attend all N-ICD classes unless provided prior authorization by the organizers.