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Propelling Innovators to Entrepreneurship  

Welcome to Aggie I-Corps

Aggie I-Corps is a comprehensive training program designed to assess the commercial viability of your research/business idea. This program aims to:
  • Promote the translation of research
  • Foster collaboration between academia and industry
  • Equip students and faculty with a solid understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship

Who Can Participate?

Aggie I-Corps is available to all research colleges and universities in New Mexico. As a proud partner in the Southwest I-Corps Hub, NMSU provides training via cohorts and funding opportunities for students and faculty looking to commercialize innovative technology.

NSF I-Corps Hub Southwest logo alongside the NSF emblem, representing collaboration and innovation in entrepreneurship.

Cohort Types
  • IdeaLaunch cohorts are intended for teams that have not been previously funded by the NSF
  • LineageLaunch offers a shorter path to the National NSF I-Corps for teams that have been previously funded by the NSF
  • ImpactLaunch cohorts are designed for local businesses and teams seeking entrepreneurship training without participating in the National NSF I-Corps program

Project Focus Areas
Projects can stem from various sources, including:

  • Student work
  • Research (funded or unfunded)
  • Institutional initiatives
  • Industrial endeavors

The focus must align with the realms of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), typically supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Other ideas may be explored through an ImpactLaunch cohort but may not be eligible for funding.
Program Requirements
To successfully complete the Aggie I-Corps IdeaLaunch, teams must:

  • Participate in all sessions and conduct a minimum of 30 customer discovery interviews by the closing workshop.

To successfully complete the LineageLaunch cohort, teams must:

  • Conduct 10+ interviews, meet with an I-Corps instructor for 1-on-1 office hours, and attend online sessions to develop a customer ecosystem diagram, a list of customer contacts, and a strong understanding of the expectations of the national program

 Participant Support

  • $500 to $2,000 depending upon funding and project

Application Process

  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • New cohorts commence at regular intervals throughout the year.
  • Schedule a meeting or fill out the interest form below for more information

 Join us in propelling innovation and entrepreneurship at NMSU!

 Join us in propelling innovation and entrepreneurship at NMSU!

SPOTLIGHT FEATURES:

Ayyan

Ayyan Asif Refines Healthcare Venture Through I-Corps

When graduate student Ayyan Asif joined the NSF I-Corps IdeaLaunch cohort at NMSU, he had an innovative concept—Mindful Analytics, a platform aimed at improving healthcare operations through data insights. Despite his strong background in business and data analytics, Ayyan lacked clarity on how to identify and reach potential customers. 


Read More Here ▸

Dr.C

Bridging Career Pathways: Dr. Luis Cifuentes Shares His I-Corps Journey

As he prepares to retire from his role as Vice President for Research, Creativity, and Economic Development at New Mexico State University, Dr. Luis Cifuentes is embarking on a new journey—entrepreneurship. Participating in the NSF Southwest Hub IdeaLaunch cohort.


Read More Here ▸

harley f

Revolutionizing Healthcare Through Innovation

Harley Flores, a nursing student at NMSU, is addressing a common inefficiency in healthcare with an innovative solution. While working toward his nursing degree, he noticed how disorganized and chaotic medical procedures like starting IVs or drawing blood could be due to scattered or contaminated supplies. 


Read More Here ▸

Farzaneh Eslami

How I-Corps Transformed a Student's Approach to Innovation

When Farzaneh Eslami, a graduate student in electrical engineering at NMSU, first joined the I-Corps program, she thought she knew exactly how to present her research idea for improvements in the transformer industry. 


Read More Here ▸

 

  

       Contact Us! 

The Team

kramer

Dr. Kramer Winingham

Program Director

Dr. Kramer Winingham serves as a Program Director for Arrowhead Center and is the Director of NMSU’s National Science Foundation I-Corps Site. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with specializations in Finance and Information Systems, and a Doctorate of Economic Development from NMSU. His doctoral thesis “Economic Development through Technology Transfer” developed a novel approach to technology transfer incorporating design thinking – this approach is applied to commercializing NMSU technologies at the Arrowhead Center. He currently serves as CEO/President for two companies commercializing technologies. He also owns and operates a property management company. 

Kramer can be reached at jkramer@nmsu.edu

 

 

 

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tang

Dr. Wei Tang

Dr. Wei Tang serves as the Faculty Lead in the National Science Foundation Southwest I-Corps Hub at NMSU. He holds a Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from Yale University. He is currently a Paul W. and Valerie Klipsch Distinguished Professor at the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in College of Engineering at New Mexico State University. He has participated in various commercialization activities such as National I-Corps in University of Michigan. His research interests including biomedical circuits and systems, wearable sensors, and machine learning. He was the recipient of the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Award in 2017 and NMSU Dennis W. Darnall Faculty Achievement Award in 2024. 

Wei Tang can be reached at wtang@nmsu.edu 

 

 

 

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Chris

Chris Corbine

Program Manager | Aggie I-Corps

Chris Corbine is an accomplished Program Manager for the Aggie I-Corps program, specializing in innovation transfer within New Mexico research institutions. With a background in aiding early-stage start-ups, Chris provides valuable mentorship, education, and resources to burgeoning entrepreneurs. A 20-year retired Air Force veteran, he served as an electronics technician and combat aircrew and systems expert on the HH-60G Combat Rescue Helicopter. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Leadership from Southwestern College in Winfield, KS and a Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management from Liberty University.

Chris can be reached at corbine@nmsu.edu 

 

 

 

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Gianna Sanchez

Gianna Sanchez

Program Specialist | Aggie I-Corps

Gianna Sanchez serves as a Program Specialist for the Aggie I-Corps program at NMSU, supporting university innovators as they transition their research into viable market opportunities. With a background in marketing, administration, information services, training, and program management, Gianna brings a strategic and operational perspective to fostering entrepreneurship. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from NMSU. Prior to joining Aggie I-Corps, she worked extensively in the manufacturing and technology sectors, leading initiatives in vertical marketing, CRM optimization, and social media engagement. Her expertise in streamlining processes and organizing program outreach enhances the I-Corps mission of accelerating commercialization efforts.

Gianna can be reached at giannas@nmsu.edu.