The National Science Foundation has designated UAB an Innovation Corps Site, making it the newest hub for technology and entrepreneurship in Birmingham. See how this will spur innovation in the Magic City!

NSF Innovation Corps

The National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps Sites (NSF I-Corps) give universities the ability to propel teams with technology ideas into the marketplace.

UAB Innovation Corps — Image courtesy of NSF

“The I-Corps sites serve as a starting point to identify great ideas across the universities in our region and move them into the national program,”

-Molly Wasko, Ph.D., associate dean for the Collat School of Business and director of UAB’s I-Corps program

NSF created the I-Corps program in 2011 which has led 800 teams from 192 universities to complete the I-Corps curriculum.

As a result, 320 companies have been created, collectively receiving more than $83 million in funding. UAB is now one of 67 universities that have been designated by NSF as Innovation Corps sites.

NSF funds the resources, training, and infrastructure provided at I-Corps Sites for teams to market their ideas. Also, teams can become National I-Corps Team applicants to earn further support and a $50,000 stipend.

Innovation at UAB

UAB’s new I-Corps Site will give business and entrepreneurship students the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of watching their research ideas turn into a reality in the marketplace.

UAB’s stellar medical programs make it a perfect location to spot incredible research ideas and commercialize them.

By partnering with UAB Medicine and industry experts for the I-Corps site, UAB hopes to link students, faculty, and research teams from across fields to boost Birmingham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

UAB’s new I-Corps site is going to innovate Birmingham’s technology and business in a big way.