Type 1 I-Corp Site Proposal: Idea 2 Impact GO (I2I GO) - Driving the Innovation Ecosystem at East Carolina University to Build New Enterprises for the Benefit of Rural Eastern North Carolina Grant uri icon

abstract

  • The East Carolina University (ECU) I-Corp Site program, Idea 2 Impact GO (I2I GO), is designed to be an economic driver for eastern North Carolina by 1) engaging faculty, staff, students, and local industry partners in the ideation process; 2) improving assessment of ideas for product market fit before extensive resources have been invested; and 3) making resources available to develop preliminary models or prototypes for demonstration of product potential to likely customers. ECU has many resources available to contribute to the innovation and commercialization ecosystem, but I2I GO will effectively allow key resource providers like ECU?s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, the Office of Public Service and Community Relations, the College of Business, the Miller School of Entrepreneurship and regional industry and economic development partners to merge together to produce greater outcomes together than as independent agents. The collective resources of these and other providers have been defined, cataloged, and reflected in the newly established Idea 2 Impact (I2I) portal. Utilizing proven approaches to innovation and commercialization (including Human Centered Design Thinking, Lean LaunchPad, Value Proposition Design and the Business Model Canvas, facilities such as the Idea Lab, the Innovation Design Lab, MakerBot Innovation Center and Greenville SEED @ ECU, along with skilled faculty and facilitators, the outcome of I2I GO will provide greater success in identifying new product commercialization and license opportunities and increased potential for more start-up companies to succeed and remain in rural eastern North Carolina.

date/time interval

  • September 2017 - August 2022