I-Corps Site: University of Akron Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurial Preparation Grant

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This proposal addresses NSF?s call for universities to nurture students and/or faculty who are engaged in projects having the potential to be transitioned into the marketplace. I-Corps Sites provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding to enable groups to transition their ideas, devices, processes or other intellectual activities into the marketplace.The University of Akron (UA) is developing a new I-Corps Site, entitled the UA Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurial Preparation Grant (UA TIE Prep Grant), that will build upon their existing expertise, while filling a gap that is critical in the commercialization and translation of university-based research. Specifically, the UA TIE Prep Grant will:1. stimulate the translation of fundamental university-based research into commercially viable technologies prepared to progress into the National Science Foundation?s I-Corps Teams program, SBIR, or other avenues toward commercialization;2. encourage faculty, students, and community-based industry personnel to collaborate around early stage university technologies, and;3. enhance the entrepreneurship potential of faculty, students, and community-based industry partners through hands-on training and experiential learning in innovation and entrepreneurship.The UA TIE Prep Grant Program has the potential to greatly improve commercialization outcomes for UA technologies which will influence the regional economy and serve as a national model for entrepreneurship.