National Science Foundation Great Plains I-Corps Hub and University of Wyoming
Jul 13, 2026
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Great Plains I-Corps Hub, of which the University of Wyoming is a partner, is recruiting teams for a special entrepreneurship training cohort focused on agriculture-related technologies.
The cohort, dubbed Ag45, is open to individuals and teams developing agriculture-related technologies who want to better understand their path to market. The Hub lead, North Dakota State University (NDSU), is positioned at the center of North Dakota’s agricultural landscape and plays a critical role in advancing research, education and industry collaboration.
The seven-session program -- scheduled Aug. 13-Sept. 24 -- is designed to help teams that are developing agriculture or ag-related technologies to validate their ideas and build a strong foundation for commercialization. Each session will take place virtually 9 a.m.-noon MT.
During the training, participants will:
-- Conduct customer discovery interviews: Participants will talk to farmers, industry leaders and stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem to test their assumptions and validate their ideas.
-- Participate in workshops and office hours: Learn a proven framework for customer discovery and learn startup methodologies with expert guidance.
-- Engage with stakeholders: Connect with potential customers, industry leaders and stakeholders across the agricultural system.
Course benefits include exploring pathways to startup launch; evaluating the potential of research discoveries or technologies; discovering the societal impact of innovations as usable technologies; enhancing research proposals for securing funding; building your network; and obtaining eligibility to apply for a $50,000 grant from the National NSF I-Corps team grant.
In-person panels and lectures are scheduled Tuesday-Friday, Sept. 15-18, in Fargo, N.D. Participants will attend the Big Iron Farm and Construction Show and Grand Farm’s Autonomous Nation Conference, offering direct exposure to cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of agriculture.
To apply, go here. The deadline to apply is Monday, July 13.
For more information, go to the website at https://gp-icorps.org/events/ag45/ or email Belmont at ebelmont@uwyo.edu.