Stories & Updates

Entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey have access to a wide array of resources at UD. One such resource is the NSF I-Corps @ UD Propelus program, which trains teams in evidence-based entrepreneurship over four weeks. Meet the teams in Propelus Cohort 1.

Congratulations to NSF I-Corps Propelus Cohort 1:

• Abu and Osman Kamara, Barter AI
• William Barber, Efficiency Pros
• Md Habib Ullah Khan,Innovative Composite
• James Mullin and Sean Farrington, Microliter Diagnostics
• Alex Herzlinger, Brandywine Neurosurgical Innovations
• Khary DeWitt and Trevor Winder, ML Tech

Inspired by the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Teams Program, which originated from a Stanford University course, this regional program provided a simulated startup environment with comprehensive support and practical feedback. The program necessitated substantial dedication, participation, and teamwork. Participants acquired valuable new mindsets, skills, connections, and opportunities for commercialization. Propelus was designed for research teams to explore how their discoveries could meet industry needs as startups or ventures. Participants received a $3,000 NSF grant and the opportunity to advance to the National I-Corps program for a $50,000 NSF grant.

Participants benefited from this program and were guided by Program Manager Garry Johnson III and pod mentors Troy Wilford and Anne Shehab.  With the group size, those in charge were able to efficiently give specialized assistance to each of the participants. The curriculum included developing business models, testing hypotheses with potential customers, and identifying optimal markets. During these sessions, open discussions were encouraged and flowed out from participants and mentors with ease. Following an assignment in which participants were required to conduct customer interviews, they were asked to present the "sweet and salty" aspects of their experience, essentially detailing the highs and lows of the assignment. 

With a strong emphasis on venture development, participants learned and benefited from the program. One participant, UD alumnus Abu Kamara, shared why he decided to join this program: 

“The reason I joined this program is to step away from who I thought was my target audience and identify new potential targets. I’m being pushed to do customer discovery and since I’m still in the research phase for the tech side of things, here I can focus on acquiring a thorough grasp of genuine entrepreneurship and marketing principles,” said Abu Kamara, co-founder of Barter AI which is a platform to leverage conversational AI to connect early stage founders to people with the resources they need. A bartering system of resources and knowledge. This is precisely what I needed; often, you don't realize what you need until you embark on a journey like this.”

The NSF I-Corps @ UD Propelus program exemplified the supportive and enriching resources available to entrepreneurs. Over the span of four intensive weeks, participants immersed themselves in a startup environment, gaining valuable insights and skills. Led by dedicated mentors Garry Johnson III, Troy Wilford, and Anne Shehab, the program fostered an atmosphere of open discussion and collaborative learning. As teams developed business models, tested hypotheses, and identified market opportunities, they were empowered to turn their ideas into viable ventures. With the foundational support of the NSF- I Corps program, the grant support, and the potential to advance to the national program, participants emerged from Propelus with the tools and connections to propel their entrepreneurial dreams forward.

Information about the upcoming program: 

The NSF I-Corps @ UD Propelus program trains teams in evidence-based entrepreneurship over the course of four weeks. The regional program is based on the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Teams Program, which originated from a Stanford University class and is designed to simulate a startup environment with support and realistic feedback along the way. 

Propelus is a four-week program designed for research teams to explore how your discovery can help potential customers and meet industry needs as a startup or venture.

You will learn the I-Corps Methodology, which includes:

·  Developing your Business Model – specifically Value Propositions and Customer Segments.

·  Testing your business model hypotheses by talking to potential customers.

·  Identifying which market or industry is the best first one to enter.

Participating teams receive a $1,500 National Science Foundation (NSF) stipend and have the opportunity to advance to the National I-Corps program where they may receive a $50,000 NSF grant.

Program Dates:

October 28th, October 30th, November 6th, & November 20th (9:30am - 12:30pm)

Each session is hosted in-person at the Fintech Innovation Hub located on South Campus. A light breakfast and catered lunch will be provided.

Application Deadline:

October 8th, 2024 (11:59pm)

Application: https://www.tfaforms.com/5138999

About Horn Entrepreneurship

Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.