Special Announcement - Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, the Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop at Venture Partners at CU Boulder can help you transform your concept into a successful venture.

Offered as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps™ Hub: West Region, this workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact. Over three weeks, gain a deeper understanding of the commercialization process, test your ideas with real potential customers and accelerate your journey toward bringing your idea to market. 

Program Components

  • Interactive and engaging virtual workshops on understanding and empathizing with end-users and key partners. The program equips participants with the knowledge and skills to create a compelling impact case and to bring their innovation to those who need it.
  • Twelve targeted interviews with people who could use or benefit from your idea to better understand and test assumptions about their needs and challenges.
  • Weekly office hours with experienced staff to provide guidance and support.

Program Dates

Application Deadline: Friday, Jan. 17

  • Friday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m.-noon MT
  • Friday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m.-noon MT
  • Friday, Feb. 7, 9 a.m.-noon MT

All January sessions are held virtually via Zoom.

Application

Our I-Corps programming is available to all researchers, inventors and problem solvers from any research or community institution; all you need is an innovation and an interest in bringing it to those in need. Our programming serves a diverse range of people and ventures, so please contact us if you have questions about your eligibility.

Learn More and Apply

Questions? Contact Emily Vogt at eklein@colorado.edu  | Additional Starting Blocks Workshops: April 10-24, Aug. 1-15, Nov. 6-20, 2025


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Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program

Research-to-Market (R2M) is a four-week program designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers to commercialize their innovations, helping teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation.

  • May 13-June 13, 2025, Virtual
  • Sept 3-Oct. 10, 2025, Virtual

Learn More and Apply