I-Corps Sites: Wichita State University

该项目在威奇托州立大学（WSU）创建了一个I-Corps站点。美国国家科学基金会创新队（I-Corps）站点是由美国国家科学基金会资助的实体，建立在大学里，其目的是培养和支持多个本地团队，将他们的技术概念转化为市场。网站提供基础设施、建议、资源、网络机会、培训和适度的资金，使团体能够将他们的工作转化为市场或成为I-Corps团队的申请人。I-Corps站点还加强地方和区域创新，并为由导师、研究人员、企业家和投资者组成的国家创新网络做出贡献。WSU I-Corps Site项目的目标是：(1)同步一个协同研究和创新生态系统，以更快地将科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）研究和技术转化为新的和现有的商业和产业；(2)加强和进一步发展WSU的研究和产业合作；(3)改善教育环境，增加对创新和创业的理解；(4)利用STEM的发现和创新来提高美国的竞争力并创造就业机会。WSU I-Corps网站项目支持有创业精神的学生、教师和研究人员，并从战略上装备他们，加速他们的想法、研究、流程和产品进入市场驱动的商业应用、盈利企业和初创公司，并/或成为I-Corps团队的申请者。这些支持包括基础设施、指导、资源、网络机会、培训和资金，使华盛顿州立大学的创新者和I-Corps现场团队能够成熟和商业化他们的想法，并促进21世纪就业和工业的发展。项目成果包括为投资者准备的商业模式的发展、技术的直接商业化、商业启动、许可协议，以及华盛顿州立大学现场团队向美国国家科学基金会I-Corps团队计划提交的更多申请。I-Corps网站的活动扩大了大学现有的优势，创造了刺激学生和教师更多参与的动力，增加了大学的创新管道，增加了与当地创业导师的互动和参与，促进了创业和商业思维。对该网站的更广泛影响包括扩大开发更多样化的创新生态系统模式，该模式可应用于其他地理区域。从有针对性的创业课程中获得的额外知识使WSU的创新生态系统能够吸引和促进学生和教师的创新和研究，以改善先进制造业集群，特别关注未被代表的群体（少数民族、女性、低收入人群）。创业培训/教育模块将创业理念融入STEM和其他创新活动中。社会和经济影响包括增强和加强中西部创新生态系统，促进堪萨斯州以技术为基础的经济发展，创造和保留就业机会，创造财富，更健康的工作环境，学生教育，风险资本投资，以及创业和扩张。

This project creates and I-Corps Site at Wichita State University (WSU).NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Sites are NSF-funded entities established at universities whose purpose is to nurture and support multiple, local teams to transition their technology concepts into the marketplace. Sites provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding to enable groups to transition their work into the marketplace or into becoming I-Corps Team applicants. I-Corps Sites also strengthen innovation locally and regionally and contribute to the National Innovation Network of mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors. The WSU I-Corps Site project goals are to:(1)Synchronize a synergistic research and innovation ecosystem to more rapidly translate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research and technologies into new and existing business and industry,(2)Strengthen and further develop WSU research and industry collaborations, (3)Enhance the educational environment increasing understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship, and (4)Leverage STEM discoveries and innovations to increase U.S. competitiveness and create jobs.The WSU I-Corps Site program supports entrepreneurial students, faculty, and researchers and strategically equips them to accelerate their ideas, research, processes and products into market-driven commercial applications, profitable enterprises, and start-up companies, and/or toward becoming I-Corps Team applicants. The support includes infrastructure, guidance, resources, networking opportunities, training, and funding to enable WSU innovators and I-Corps Site Teams to mature and commercialize their ideas and spur the development of 21st century jobs and industries. Project outcomes include development of investor-ready business models, direct commercialization of technology, business start-ups, licensing agreements, and increased applications submitted by WSU Site Teams to the NSF's I-Corps Team Program.The I-Corps Site activities expand on the university's existing strengths, creating momentum to spur increased engagement with student and faculty, increasing the pipeline of innovations from the university, increasing interaction and engagement with local entrepreneurial mentors, and promoting entrepreneurial and commercial thinking.The Broader Impacts for this Site include expanded development of a more diversified innovation ecosystem model that can be applied in other geographic regions. The additional knowledge gained from targeted entrepreneurship curriculum enables the WSU innovation ecosystem to attract and promote student and faculty innovations and research to improve the advanced manufacturing cluster, with particular focus on unrepresented groups (minorities, female, lower income populations). Entrepreneurial training/educational modules embed the entrepreneurial concepts into STEM and other innovation activities. Societal and economic impacts include enhancing and strengthening the Midwest innovation ecosystem, and contributing to stronger technology-based economic development in Kansas, job creation and retention, wealth creation, healthier work environment, student education, venture capital investment, and business start-ups and expansions.