SOUTHFIELD — Thursday, Sept. 11, is the deadline for innovators and entrepreneurs to apply for the nine-week Saturday mentoring program at Lawrence Technological University that helps advance new product ideas and establish new business opportunities.
Michigan I-Corps@LTU, established with funds from the Coleman Foundation and the Kern Family Foundation, is part of a statewide program designed to foster and grow an innovation ecosystem throughout Michigan. It provides participants knowledge about what it takes to successfully commercialize their ideas and focus on meeting customer needs.
The program is free for Lawrence Tech students, faculty and alumni. The cost is $500 for teams without an LTU connection.
The next nine-week session kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 4. Each innovation team will:
• Be matched with an industry mentor.
• Develop a greater understanding of its product and how it can benefit customers.
• Find customers and markets.
• Discover what it takes to commercialize a product and the barriers to adoption.
• Save years and money by developing a structured business model.
• Expand its network.
• Be eligible for a $1,000 cash prize for the best team.
“If you’re ready to really advance your innovation, to truly understand who will buy your product and what kind of business you can build, then this is the program for you,” said Tex Criqui of the Tech Highway consulting firm, who is team leader for the Michigan I-Corps@LTU program. “We are offering this nine-week program on Saturdays so that busy students and working professionals can advance their ideas and innovations.”
To apply or for more information, see www.ltu.edu/i-corps. Or contact i-corps@ltu.edu.