Celebrating the 11th Cohort of Brandeis University’s I-Corps Program
The Brandeis Innovation I-Corps program recently concluded its 11th cohort, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking of the Brandeis community. This year’s program brought together a dynamic group of participants, top-tier instruction, and cutting-edge ideas that demonstrate the program's commitment to fostering breakthrough solutions.
What is the I-Corps Program?
The Brandeis I-Corps program, supported by the National Science Foundation, equips researchers, students, and entrepreneurs with the tools to take their ideas from concept to market. With a focus on customer discovery and lean startup methodologies, participants gain critical skills to validate their innovations, craft compelling value propositions, and navigate the path to commercialization.
The program’s structure combines interactive workshops, personalized mentorship, and access to a vibrant entrepreneurial network, making it a premier resource for aspiring innovators.
Highlights of the 11th Cohort
This year’s cohort was particularly remarkable, featuring a diverse array of teams tackling challenges in fields ranging from healthcare to sustainability. The teams were:
- cirCheck, a novel way of diagnosing and predicting adverse health events in animals using circRNAs from the lab of Sebastian Kadener
- KnowledgeMap, an AI tool to facilitate research across disciplines by detecting connections between academic papers from the lab of Subhadeep Sarkar
- HepTherapy, an inflammatory liver disease treatment breakthrough from lab of Hao Xu
- NMRXpertAI, an AI tool to improve the accuracy of Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy from the lab of Pengyu Hong
- Solar Heat Fuel, a novel material that stores solar energy efficiently for heating from the lab of Grace Han
By applying I-Corps’ customer discovery methodology, participants refined their concepts through direct engagement with potential customers and stakeholders.
“Through the rigorous I-Corps curriculum, we delved into a range of strategic tools and methodologies. I learned and applied a variety of cutting-edge methods, including business model canvas, customer discovery and market research, and the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) Framework. Beyond technical skills, I developed essential soft skills like adaptability, teamwork, and strategic thinking.” says Ayrton Linsbauer, MSF ‘26, who was on the Solar Heat Fuel team, adding “Working with people from different backgrounds was truly rewarding and incredibly fulfilling.”
Expert Guidance
Instructors Christina Inge, MS and Rajnish Kaushik, PhD teamed up with mentor Eyal Ron PhD ‘88 to deliver industry-relevant skills. Christina, an experienced entrepreneur and marketing analytics expert, delivered workshops on customer discovery and storytelling, including identifying total addressable market and competitive analysis.
Raj, a seasoned technologist and mentor, shared his expertise on the technical and operational aspects of innovation. His lectures provided participants with practical knowledge to translate technical ideas into viable business solutions. Eyal, continuing his longstanding support of Brandeis Innovation programs, shared his experience as an entrepreneur in funding startups and research. Their combined expertise ensured that participants received a well-rounded introduction to navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship successfully. “Eyal’s insights on the critical stages and challenges of commercialization were eye-opening and motivating,” says Xi Yu, MS ‘26, who was part of the AI-enabled prediction of NMR spectroscopy team.
Other participants feel the program helped them develop critical high-level skills. “Beyond technical expertise, this experience reinforced my ability to manage ambiguity, foster collaboration, and align technical innovations with business goals—skills that are crucial in today’s dynamic business environment,” says Andrew Mukurazita MBA ‘24, also of the Solar Heat Fuel team. “This experience has further equipped me with the tools, insights, and practical experience to excel as a post-MBA hire in roles that require innovation, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration.”
The 11th cohort of the Brandeis I-Corps program exemplifies the program’s mission to transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions, while teaching participants skills to drive impact in their future endeavors. The program is just one of several that Brandeis Innovation offers to inventors and students. To learn more about Brandeis Innovation’s grant programs and technology commercialization support, please visit https://www.brandeis.edu/innovation/what-we-do/index.html