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Thanks to support from  (IPON), this fall we will run an expanded 13-week program open to all ºìÁ«ÉçÇø researchers and graduate students who are interested in exploring the commercial potential of their research. IPON is providing a $10,000 stipend per project and we have the capacity to accept 20 projects. The program will wrap with a pitch competition with a total prize pot of $30,000. 

Commercial IQ is an in-person and on-campus experience. The weekly sessions will alternate between seminars and 1:1 mentorship meetings. All seminars will take place in the Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided for seminar weeks.

Content Includes:

• Research Commericialization 
• Understanding the Customer and Validation   
• Business Model Canvas
• Developing an IP strategy 
• How to Pitch Deliverables

Mentorships meetings will be held on alternate weeks to review the deliverables from the seminars. Participants will also be supported by undergraduate Business Development Project Assistants.
 

Applying to Commercial IQ

Space is limited preference will be given researchers who have been selected for Advance 2 Market. All other spots will be awarded based on suitability of the program to the project being described.  All applications will be treated as confidential. 

Applications are open now. Rolling acceptance starts May 29, 2026, and closes July 31, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by August 15,2026.

The Ideal Candidate

• Graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or member of the ºìÁ«ÉçÇø faculty 
• Has research or an idea that they are looking to grow

Contact Us

To learn more about Commercial IQ, please email Rebecca Gould, Program Specialist.