Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program

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Research-to-Market (R2M) is a four-week program that teaches science and engineering inventors and teams the process of customer discovery and how to find a market for their technology by getting out of the lab.

Derived from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) I-Corps™ program, R2M leverages the nationally recognized Lean LaunchPad and Business Model Canvas methodologies specifically designed for university researchers commercializing their inventions.

Those interested in R2M should begin with our Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop. After completing both programs, teams are primed to pursue the  National I-Corps Teams Program.

Program Components

• Teams are matched with an Industry Mentor to work with them throughout the program
• Virtual workshops focused on customer discovery and finding a market for technologies
• Team presentations and instructor office hours
• 30 interviews done virtually in a target industry
• Meeting and building connections with industry experts and mentors

Program Benefits

"It drove me out of my comfort zone of hard technology research and made me think more about the business side of the puzzle."

"This type of program seems almost like a necessity when trying to develop something from within the University. It provided a lot of information."

Application and Eligibility

Our I-Corps programming is available to deep tech innovators from any Colorado research or teaching institution. If you are in another demographic and would like to see if you are eligible, please contact us at vpcontact@colorado.edu. 

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NASA I-Corps Pilot

In partnership with NSF, NASA’s Science and Space Technology Mission Directorates are offering a new pathway to train faculty, students in higher education, post-docs and other researchers to participate in I-Corps. The NASA I-Corps™ Pilot will support teams with access to training in innovation and entrepreneurship skills through a grant for up to $10,000 to participate in regional I-Corps programming and the opportunity to apply for additional funding of up to $40,000. 

Proposal deadline March 29: Learn More