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Accelerating Technology Commercializationuniversity of Akron (Ohio) Using the NSF I-Corps Model

Gopal Nadkarni 1*, Elyse Ball 2, Daniel Hampu 2

Affiliations

  • Innovation Practice Center, University of Akron, 411 Wolf Ledges Pkwy, Akron, Ohio, 44311, United States
  • University of Akron Research Foundation 411 Wolf Ledges Pkwy, Akron, Ohio, 44311, United States

DOI:

Abstract


The paper explores the new technology commercialization model being followed at The University of Akron (UA).UA has implemented the National Science Foundation (NSF)Innovation ICorpsTMmodel since 2013. This paper describes how the NSF I-Corps model has changed the innovation culture at UA and allowed the academic faculty to explore the business potential of their intellectual property.Differences in implementation across several I-Corps Sites are explored. The lessons from UA's experience show that the I-Corps Sites program has been a resounding success and helped faculty and students to become more entrepreneurial in exploring the commercial value and demand drivers of technologies invented at UA.

Keywords

University of Akron, I-Corps, NSF, University, Technology, Commercialization, Startup, Spinoffs, Mentors, Entrepreneurship, Proof of Concept, Customer Discovery.

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References


  • D.M.West, "Improving University Technology Transfer and Commercialization", Issues in Technology Innovation, no.20, Dec.2012.

  • S.Blank and B. Dorf, The Startup Owners Manual, vol. 1, K&S Ranch Inc., 2012.

  • E.N.Ball and K.G. Preston, "University Commercialization Models: The University of Akron,"IEEE Computer Society, no. 08, vol.47, Aug. 2014.

  • (2014)The NSF website. [Online]. Available: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/i-corps/

  • (2014)The NSF website. [Online]. Available: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/i-corps/ sites.jsp.

  • E. Rasmussen et. al, "Initiatives to promote commercialization of university knowledge," Elsevier, Technovation 26, pp. 518-533, 2006.

  • (2014)The University of Akron website [Online]. Available:http://www.uakron.edu/research/icorps/

  • (2014)The University of Akron website [Online]. Available: http://www.uakron.edu/poc/



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