Five Costa Rica universities join first, month-long Innovation Program led by the Innovation Hub!
In a significant milestone for Costa Rican academia and entrepreneurship, Texas Tech University's Innovation Hub has successfully spearheaded the nation's first Innovation Program. After an intensive month of customer discovery interviews, collaboration with industry mentors, and development of pitch presentations, 30 researchers from five Costa Rican universities have completed the pioneering program.
The event saw teams from Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA), Universidad Estatal a Distancia de Costa Rica (UNED), Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN), and Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) present their final pitches.
Members of the Innovation Hub staff and iTTU Mentor Program joined the participants in Costa, including Dr. Ganga Baskar, Innovation Hub Program Director, Dr. Nicholas Bergfeld, iTTU Mentor and alumni of the Hub's ACTIVATE I-Corps Program, Dr. Alejandra Marin, iTTU Mentor and professor at the Rawls College of Business Administration, and Taysha Williams, Managing Director of the Innovation Hub. The program also had a special guest, Stacyann Russell, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Hub West Region.
Luciana Mendiola, Partnership Manager at Texas Tech Costa Rica, stated, "We are excited to support these talented innovators on their journey towards effective and sustainable market solutions and to have the participation of international experts who bring tremendous value to the participants and to the development and innovation of Costa Rica and the region."
Empowering Researchers Through Innovation
The program, part of Texas Tech University's broader commitment provided researchers with the tools and guidance needed to transform their ideas into viable, market-ready solutions. Over the course of the month, participants engaged in a rigorous curriculum designed to enhance their entrepreneurial skills and understanding of market needs.
“This program is a testament to the power of international collaboration in education and innovation,” said Taysha Williams. “The passion and dedication demonstrated by these researchers are truly inspiring. They have not only expanded their knowledge but also made significant strides towards creating impactful solutions for real-world problems.”
The Journey: From Ideas to Impact
Throughout the program, researchers conducted extensive customer discovery interviews, engaging directly with potential users and stakeholders to validate their ideas and refine their value propositions. This hands-on approach, a hallmark of the NSF I-Corps methodology, ensured that the teams' innovations were grounded in real market needs.
Working closely with industry mentors, participants received personalized guidance and feedback, helping them navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Attendees were divided into two groups per university, each consisting of researchers, students, and administrative staff, all crucial to ongoing research efforts and enthusiastic about transforming their projects into marketable solutions. Each team was also assigned an industry mentor, who offered guidance and expertise to help them develop impactful solutions that meet specific market needs. These mentors, drawn from various sectors, provided invaluable insights and helped the teams identify potential challenges and opportunities.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum
As the program concludes, the participating researchers are poised to embark on the next phase of their entrepreneurial journeys. Armed with new skills, insights, and networks, they are well-equipped to tackle the challenges of bringing their innovations to market.
“This is just the beginning,” said Taysha Williams. “The future is bright for Costa Rican innovation, and we are honored to be part of this journey.”