What is Clarkson’s Innovation Corps?
Clarkson’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program helps innovators explore the market potential of their inventions. Through hands-on engagement with potential customers and industry experts, participants gain valuable insights that will enhance product development and lay the foundation for successful commercialization. Powered by the Shipley Center for Innovation, and in collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the City University of New York (CUNY), this program provides the tools, mentorship, and resources needed to begin the process of turning groundbreaking ideas into thriving businesses.
Program Benefits
Learn the fundamental steps towards commercialization, including the Lean Launchpad Business Methodology and the Customer Discovery process. This program is designed to accelerate your path to market by helping you test key assumptions, validate product-market fit, and make informed business decisions that will minimize costly missteps.
Participants will conduct 20+ customer discovery interviews with guidance from industry and subject matter experts, along with discretionary funding to support their work throughout the program. Select teams may also be eligible to apply to the national-level program, where they will be granted $50,000 to support their customer discovery efforts.
Who can apply?
Anyone with an innovative business or science/technology idea! Traditionally, participants have included university faculty, researchers, and students, but we encourage participation from participants outside higher education!
When/Where is it?
In 2026, Clarkson is offering three cohorts: a spring cohort, a summer water research cohort, and a fall cohort. If you’re interested in joining one of our upcoming cohorts, please complete an application to get started.
Interested in Other Opportunities?
If you’re interested in exploring additional free entrepreneurship training and support services offered by Clarkson University, we encourage you to visit the Shipley Center for Innovation.
