Type I: University of New Mexico Lobo Rainforest I-Corps Site

这项来自新墨西哥大学（UNM）的提案创建了Lobo Rainforest NSF I-Corps网站，以鼓励和支持来自所有学科和背景的企业家将他们的项目商业化，创建新的初创企业，生成许可协议和商业模式，并向I-Corps国家计划提交提案。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。Lobo Rainforest I-Corps Site是新墨西哥大学两个创新和创业单位——创新学院（iA）和STC的合作项目。新墨西哥大学(STC)。iA为学生提供创业方面的直接经验和实际技能，使他们具备将原创想法转化为市场所需的熟练程度。iA提供一系列课程，一个以学者项目为基础的课程，一个辅修的创新课程和一个创业素养课程。STC与新墨西哥大学的创业教师和学生合作，探索新发明，将技术商业化，保护知识产权，并在新墨西哥大学的研究创新基础上创建初创公司。iA、STC和他们的项目和服务共同位于Lobo雨林大厦，这是一个新的结构空间，可以加速智力资本的商业化，并产生成功的创业公司。NSF I-Corps站点资金利用这些创新和技术转移服务、物理设施、专家人员、商业、工业和社区联系和网络，在五年的时间里支持117个新的学生和教师团队。团队与西南走廊的两个I-Corps节点合作，进一步建立地方和区域创新生态系统，并与国家创新网络建立联系。新墨西哥州是一个以少数民族为主的州，新墨西哥大学是一所西班牙裔服务机构，在支持教师发明的技术商业化方面有着良好的记录，其中包括139名女性发明家。iA由50%以上的女性，50%以上的少数民族和65%以上的第一代大学生组成。新墨西哥大学的人口结构在卡内基R1博士大学中是独一无二的（61%的少数族裔，41%的西班牙裔，56%的女性），这使其成为招聘和扩大女性和少数族裔参与创业活动的绝佳环境。新墨西哥大学还实施了一项NSF ADVANCE拨款，重点是提高女性教师，特别是少数族裔女性在STEM领导职位上的参与度，以补充Lobo雨林I-Corps网站项目。新管理大学I-Corps网站将侧重于那些对扩大妇女和其他代表性不足群体的创业机会最有用的机制。

This proposal from the University of New Mexico (UNM) creates the Lobo Rainforest NSF I-Corps Site to encourage and support entrepreneurs from all disciplines and backgrounds to commercialize their projects, create new start-up businesses, generate licensing agreements and business models, and submit proposals to the I-Corps national program. 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 Lobo Rainforest I-Corps Site is a partnership between UNM's two innovation and entrepreneurial units, the Innovation Academy (iA) and STC.UNM (STC). The iA provides students with direct experience and real-world skills in entrepreneurship, equipping them with the requisite proficiency to transition their original ideas into the marketplace. iA offers a suite of courses, a scholars project-based program, a minor in innovation, and an entrepreneurial literacy program. STC works with entrepreneurial faculty and students at UNM to explore new inventions, commercialize technologies, protect intellectual property and create start-up companies based on UNM research innovations. iA, STC and their programs and services co-locate at the Lobo Rainforest Building, a new structure with spaces to accelerate commercialization of intellectual capital and generate successful startup companies. NSF I-Corps Site funding leverages these innovation and technology transfer services, physical facilities, expert staff, and business, industry, and community connections and networks to support 117 new student and faculty teams over a five-year period. Teams collaborate with two I-Corps Nodes in the Southwest corridor, further building on local and regional ecosystems for innovation, and connecting with the National Innovation Network.New Mexico is a majority-minority state, and UNM is a Hispanic Serving Institution with a strong track record of supporting commercialization of faculty-originated technology, including 139 women inventors. The iA is comprised of over 50% women, over 50% minorities, and over 65% first generation college students. UNM's demographic is unique for a Carnegie R1 doctoral university (61% minority, 41% Hispanic, 56% female), making it an excellent environment for recruiting and broadening participation of women and minorities in entrepreneurial activities. UNM is also implementing an NSF ADVANCE grant, focused on increasing the participation of women faculty, particularly minority women, in STEM leadership positions, complementing the Lobo Rainforest I-Corps Site program. The UNM I-Corps Site will focus on those mechanisms most useful in expanding entrepreneurial opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups.