Turning agricultural innovation into businesses

Kansas State University researchers who want to turn agricultural innovation into validated businesses are invited to apply for the new Ag45 cohort of the National Science Foundation Great Plains I-Corps program.

The new Great Plains I-Corps: Ag45 cohort is a seven-session program to help teams developing agricultural or ag-related technologies validate their ideas and build a strong foundation for commercialization. The cohort includes several weeks of virtual sessions, followed by an in-person reception and conference Sept. 15-18 in Fargo, North Dakota.

The program is free to join for any K-State faculty and students. Applications are due Monday, July 13. Learn more and apply at gp-icorps.org/events/ag45.

Ag45 cohort participants receive:

• Up to $3,000 in support funding to use toward customer discovery efforts.
• Access to ag industry experts and professionals.
• A validated commercialization plan.

The Kansas State University Research Foundation and the Office of the Vice President for Research are involved in the NSF Innovation Corps, or I-Corps, program. The program equips researchers and innovators with the tools to translate federally funded discoveries into market-ready technologies, startups and industry partnerships. Learn more about the I-Corps program at gp-icorps.org.

— Submitted by Jennifer Tidball