Aggie I-Corps Success Stories

Spotlight: Dr. Luis Cifuentes Shares His I-Corps Journey

Bridging Career Pathways

As he prepares to retire from his distinguished role as Vice President for Research, Creativity, and Economic Development at New Mexico State University this September, Dr. Luis Cifuentes is embracing a new chapter—entrepreneurship. Participating in the NSF Southwest Hub IdeaLaunch cohort, Dr. Cifuentes is developing a concept aimed at strengthening connections within regional workforce development systems.

The Value of Customer Discovery

Through the I-Corps methodology, Dr. Cifuentes engaged in an in-depth customer discovery process that yielded valuable insights into market needs and potential users. During the cohort, he conducted over 30 interviews, with plans to continue toward a total of 50.

The structured business model approach helped him test assumptions and refine his concept. “It’s the way in which they try to take different little bits of the whole customer value and the business chart,” he explained, noting how the program encouraged him to systematically explore various components of his idea.

Market Insights and Unexpected Opportunities

One of the most impactful aspects of the program was uncovering potential customer segments he had not previously considered. “I thought the people interested in paying would be one group,” he said. “But then it dawned on me that actually a completely different demographic might be most interested.” This insight highlights the power of direct customer engagement to reveal new market opportunities and challenge initial assumptions.

Program Experience and Reflections

Thanks to his professional network, Dr. Cifuentes had an unusually high success rate in scheduling interviews. “When the instructors mentioned that a 10–20% response rate is typical, my hit rate was 90%,” he noted.

He appreciated the business model canvas and the overall approach of the program, although he acknowledged the time constraints of the regional cohort. “You're just getting a little taste of this and that,” he observed. Still, the experience was worthwhile: “I liked the course. I enjoyed it. I got a lot out of it.”

When asked if he would recommend the program to others considering a business idea, his response was unequivocal: “Yes, absolutely.”

Looking Ahead

Post-cohort, Dr. Cifuentes continues to explore the potential of his venture through the NMSU Arrowhead Center, including opportunities for SBIR funding. He remains actively engaged in customer discovery to further develop his business model.

Reflecting on this new phase of his professional life, he shared: “I think it’d be nice to make a story out of doing the same thing on the entrepreneurial level—not necessarily going and getting a master’s or PhD later in life, but instead working on an entrepreneurial initiative as another option for a next step in your life’s work.”

Following his retirement in September 2025, Dr. Cifuentes plans to remain involved with the I-Corps program as a mentor, offering his insight and experience to future cohorts of aspiring entrepreneurs.

The I-Corps program at NMSU helps students, faculty and community members transform their research into market-ready ventures through customer discovery and business model development. We offer cohorts throughout the year. To learn more, visit the Aggie I-Corps website: https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/aggie-i-corps/.