The National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps™ Teams program is an immersive, innovative program that facilitates the transformation of invention all the way to impact. This seven-week experiential training program prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory — accelerating the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded and other basic research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization.
Widely recognized as an effective training program in the U.S. and internationally, NSF I-Corps addresses four urgent national needs:
- Training an entrepreneurial workforce
- Translating technologies
- Enabling positive economic impact
- Nurturing an innovation ecosystem
The UW-Madison local NSF I-Corps program prepares teams to have the skillset and eligibility for success in the NSF I-Corps program. This free, six-week, non-credit, virtual workshop uses evidence-based strategies for achieving entrepreneurial success and is open to research faculty, staff, and students at any higher education institution.
Research indicates that the primary reason startups fail is the development of products that lack market demand. NSF I-Corps helps entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls by identifying the problem that your customers need to solve. Through this program, participants have the opportunity to network with experienced industry mentors, build a solid foundation for their venture, and enhance their credibility for future funding opportunities. Additionally, completing the local or regional program is the most straightforward path to applying for the NSF I-Corps Team award, which helps cover expenses related to customer discovery up to $50,000.
Meet the 2024 UW-Madison NSF I-Corps Teams
The 2024 cohort of UW-Madison NSF I-Corps teams comprised a diverse group of researchers, each with a unique project aimed at addressing pressing societal challenges. Here, we meet some of the standout teams and learn more about their groundbreaking work:
Biosensor Diagnostics
Entrepreneurial Lead: Nathan Novy
Technical Lead: Vatsan Raman
Industry Mentor: Jennifer Gagne
Department: CALS Biochemistry
Innovation Focus:
Biosensor Diagnostics is transforming drug testing with a rapid, point-of-care solution designed to prevent overdoses and improve treatment. Their technology:
- Delivers quick, accurate results for immediate clinical action.
- Reduces emergency room stays, lowering healthcare costs.
- Supports critical care settings, including ERs, pain clinics, and maternal-fetal medicine.
How It Works:
- Uses protein-based sensors to detect small molecules.
- Employs high-throughput sequencing for enhanced sensitivity.
- Aims to create affordable, paper-based drug tests for widespread use.
This breakthrough technology ensures faster diagnosis and better patient outcomes—a game-changer for modern healthcare.
Face Recognition
Entrepreneurial Lead: Harrison Rosenberg
Technical Lead: Kassem Fawaz
Industry Mentor: Stella Chan
Department: COE Electrical & Computer Engineering
Innovation Focus:
This team is redefining face recognition technology with a system designed for security, fairness, and transparency. Their innovation:
- Creates synthetic facial data to audit and improve AI models.
- Reduces bias in face recognition across diverse demographics.
- Increases accuracy and trust in biometric identification.
How It Works:
- Leverages AI-generated face datasets to fine-tune recognition models.
- Helps companies test, validate, and enhance security systems.
- Ensures ethical AI development by making systems auditable and fair.
Their work is shaping the future of secure and responsible AI-powered identification.
Battery Membrane
Entrepreneurial Lead: Jiajie Sui
Technical Lead: Xudong Wang
Industry Mentor: Nasser Kutkut
Department: COE Materials Science & Engineering
Innovation Focus:
Battery Membrane is revolutionizing energy storage with a new ferroelectric battery separator that improves:
- Stability & longevity – Reduces battery failure and extends lifespan.
- Performance – Enhances efficiency by over 20%.
- Safety & cost-effectiveness – Prevents short circuits and overheating.
How It Works:
- Uses ferroelectric membranes to counteract battery degradation.
- Addresses dendrite growth, a major cause of capacity loss.
- Offers a universal, scalable solution for EVs, renewable energy, and portable devices.
This breakthrough makes next-generation batteries safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient for a sustainable energy future.
Partner with TEO to Advance Your Technology
Join the next wave of innovators by engaging with TEO and participating in upcoming NSF I-Corps programs, workshops, and events. Whether you’re at the idea stage or ready to scale, there are plenty of opportunities to bring your vision to life.
Written By: Madison Sveum
Edited By: Emma Uren