NSF I-Corps

Tennessee’s innovation corridor now spans the state with the addition of the University of Memphis to the National Science Foundation’s Mid-South Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub led by Vanderbilt University through its innovation center, the Wond’ry. Read More

Robert Webster and Charleson Bell will lead regional Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub to propel inclusive innovation and catalyze a medical innovation economy. Read More

The Vanderbilt Fusion Project, an initiative involving 40 undergraduates from 22 majors across three schools, is seeking to build a miniature nuclear fusion reactor—and make history. Read More

Realized at the Wond’ry, the mental health wellness startup Innerworld has added Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jewel as a co-founder and chief strategy officer. Read More

Participants from around the region gathered at Vanderbilt University Feb. 9–10 for the formal initiation of the National Science Foundation Mid-South Innovation Corps Hub. The two-day summit included a convocation, a venture showcase and a reception for hub partners and regional dignitaries. Read More

Vanderbilt University has been chosen by the National Science Foundation to lead the new Mid-South Innovation Corps Hub, a group of nine universities that make up a regional coalition of diverse, tech-forward institutions to promote inclusive innovation, spur economic development and prosperity and transform Midsouth metro areas into growth and commercialization centers for STEM-related technologies. Read More

Vanderbilt Climbing Club teammates Michael Finn-Henry and Olivia Busk are taking collaboration and innovation to new heights with a breakthrough medical device—and a possible trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Read More

Professor and entrepreneur finds startup success with Vanderbilt’s spirit of collaboration and innovation. Read More

Since the inception of the Vanderbilt I-Corps Site Program just three years ago, more than 20 teams of VU innovators have been accepted into the National Science Foundation’s prestigious National I-Corps Program, turning their STEM ideas and research into novel inventions that improve health care, strengthen cybersecurity, produce clean energy, support people battling drug abuse and mental health disorders and more. Read More

Since the inception of the Vanderbilt I-Corps Site Program just three years ago, more than 20 teams of VU innovators have been accepted into the National Science Foundation’s prestigious National I-Corps Program, turning their STEM ideas and research into novel inventions that improve health care, strengthen cybersecurity, produce clean energy, support people battling drug abuse and mental health disorders and more. Read More

The Wond’ry at the Innovation Pavillion’s Ideator program works with regional inventors to bring ideas to life. An Ideator team of Ph.D. students from Meharry Medical College will now work with the National Science Foundation to further evaluate and commercialize their idea. Read More

Alumni Charleson and Charreau Bell are siblings, business partners, innovators and entrepreneurs, as well as emblematic of the culture of innovation at Vanderbilt's Wond’ry and Data Science Institute. Read More

Worst-case scenarios of cyber warfare are motivating Brad and Tim Potteiger, twin brothers and Vanderbilt alumni who are pioneering a new method of cybersecurity known as "moving target defense." Read More

The seven-week program can be arduous, but teams save much time later by avoiding missteps thanks to their extensive research and the mentoring they receive. Read More

The I-Corps site grant will support programs to match students and faculty with teams of experienced professionals who can teach, guide and mentor them as they pursue startup endeavors. Participating teams receive grants to help them interact with potential customers and explore the commercial potential of devices they’ve designed. Read More

Pietro Valdastri, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, and postdoctoral scholar Ekawahyu Susilo will begin Valdastri’s second run as principal investigator in the NSF I-Corps program as they explore the commercial potential of modular open-source architecture for building capsule robots. Read More