Innovation Hub Fuels Entrepreneurship as a Partner in NSF I-Corps West Hub
Texas Tech University is proud to announce its new role as a partner of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Hub: West Region. The university’s Innovation Hub at Research Park will lead this exciting initiative, bolstered by a $225,000 award from the NSF I-Corps West Hub to fund the NSF I-Corps Program. This initiative strengthens Texas Tech’s commitment to fostering deep technology innovation and creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship.
A Powerful Consortium of Leading Institutions
The NSF I-Corps West Hub will be led by the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering University, The University of Colorado Boulder, and the University of California- Los Angeles. Texas Tech will be joining other partners including the Colorado State University, California Institute of Technology, the Colorado School of Mines, The University of New Mexico, the University of Utah , University of California-Riverside, and University of California Santa Barbara.
Together, these universities aim to advance technology commercialization by helping scientific and engineering teams translate their research breakthroughs into market-ready products and services. By joining this consortium, Texas Tech will help cultivate an entrepreneurial environment that drives economic growth and addresses critical societal needs.
Empowering Entrepreneurs with Vital Resources
"We are honored to join the NSF I-Corps West Hub as an partner institution, standing alongside some of the nation’s most respected research universities in advancing technology commercialization," said Taysha Williams, Managing Director of Texas Tech’s Innovation Hub. "This support from NSF allows us to bring vital resources in programming, mentorship, and training to aspiring entrepreneurs. Together, we are creating pathways for groundbreaking research to be translated into real-world solutions that impact our world.”
The NSF I-Corps program provides entrepreneurial teams with essential skills to explore commercial applications for their technologies and engage with potential investors and customers. Texas Tech’s Innovation Hub will host an I-Corps Regional program twice a year, offering tailored support to prepare teams for the West Hub’s regional initiatives and, ultimately, for the NSF National I-Corps program. Through this pathway, Texas Tech’s participants have the opportunity to secure a $50,000 award for advanced customer discovery, enabling them to validate and refine their technologies for potential commercialization.
Through this partnership, Texas Tech aims to contribute meaningfully to NSF's mission of creating diverse, high-tech enterprises. The university will play a crucial role in the West Hub's collective goal to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that embraces the rich diversity of the Western United States.
Turn Your Innovation Into Impact
Aspiring entrepreneurs and researchers, don’t miss this opportunity to leverage Texas Tech’s partnership with the NSF I-Corps West Hub. Gain access to world-class mentorship, funding opportunities, and the resources you need to bring your innovations to life. Be part of the movement to turn groundbreaking research into impactful real-world solutions. Learn more about and apply to the Innovation Hub's I-Corps programs online or contact Lena Zappia at lena.zappia@ttu.edu for more information.