The regional node will allow all four partners to better share resources, present region-wide training programs, and offer mentorships between staff members. The goal, ChicagoInno reports, is “to grow an entrepreneurship ecosystem among the top engineering schools.”
Midwest Startups Get $2K Through the Program
The I-Corps program offers $2,000 in funding to startups in their program, though they must bootstrap their own Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants in order to make it through their early stages. Teams from the participating universities may continue to the national I-Corps program after completing the regional one, netting an additional $50,000 in funds. Taylor explained the program’s history and impact: Given the scope of the upcoming tech hub, midwest startups should start exploring their options now. They should be able to expect some support, if not necessarily in the form of funding. Image: Wikimedia
