Penn I-Corps invites faculty, staff, postdocs, and students working on life science innovations to apply to the Special Bio/Medtech I-Corps Customer Discovery Workshop, launching this September. Organized by the NSF I-Corps Mid-Atlantic Hub, this cohort is designed for teams focused on biotech, MedTech, and health-related solutions. You can access the application here.
Participants will gain hands-on experience in customer discovery, test value propositions, and receive mentorship in navigating the path from research to market. I-Corps workshops are structured around small teams—typically composed of a researcher and a student or collaborator—and many such teams participate in each cohort, creating a dynamic and collaborative learning environment.
Unlike general cohorts, this one offers tailored instruction and a peer group working in similar domains, enhancing both learning and collaboration. The program includes virtual sessions and an in-person networking event in Baltimore with investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders. Completion of a short, self-paced prep course by September 2 is required to join.
I-Corps Hubs are regional networks of universities funded by the National Science Foundation to deliver standardized I-Corps training. They form part of the National Innovation Network and are designed to support researchers in translating academic research into market-ready innovations through structured entrepreneurial education.
Penn I-Corps, led by Dr. Tomas Isakowitz, is a member of the Mid-Atlantic I-Corps Hub. Penn I-Corps offers free regional Customer Discovery workshops each semester and actively supports participants in applying to special cohorts like the September 2025 Bio/Medtech program.
For questions, contact Dr. Tomas Isakowitz (tomas@upenn.edu), who leads Penn I-Corps and can help guide you through the program.