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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

University of Akron Research Foundation

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University of Akron Research Foundation

The focus of UARF is you! We are a resource for people to launch ideas!

05/22/2026

Excited to celebrate the success of UARF’s 8th I-Pitch event, held yesterday! It was inspiring to see so many innovative founders and research teams showcase technologies. Congratulations to our winners, WagVitals and Ion Selective Membrane, for their outstanding pitches and entrepreneurial momentum.

A huge thank you to our judges, Alizeh Khalifa, Dr. Victoria Scarborough, and Evan Matuszak, our mentors, and community supporters who continue to help grow Northeast Ohio’s innovation ecosystem through the University of Akron Research Foundation. Thanks to all of the attendees for connecting with us.
We can't forget about Zippy sharing the night with us!

05/15/2026

The countdown to I-Pitch is on! Each day, we’ll feature one of the innovative teams preparing to pitch at this competition. Today, we are showcasing Care Robotics.

05/14/2026

UARF's I-Pitch Competition is back, and you are invited to be part of the action. The competition will take place, on Thursday, May 21st, from 5-8 p.m., at the Bounce Innovation Hub, 526 S. Main St., Akron, OH.

This event marks an important milestone for some top I-Corps graduates, many of whom will be presenting their innovative ideas in front of a live audience for the first time.

The competition is a unique opportunity to see early stage startups showcase cutting-edge solutions, and you'll even have the chance to influence their journey by voting for the Audience Choice Award. Your support can make a real impact as these entrepreneurs take their next steps in building something incredible.

The I-Pitch Competition awards $2,000 to the most promising contestants. One $1,000 award is based on a judge's vote, and one $1,000 award is based on an audience vote, in which you will participate, so your vote is needed to make an impact on local startups.
Join us for an evening of networking, great food and exciting conversations. Whether you're looking to connect with local professionals or simply enjoy a relaxed evening, there's plenty of time to mix and mingle.
We'll have complimentary food to enjoy throughout the evening, along with drinks and plenty of opportunities to learn more about UA's I-Corps program and some incredible startups in the area.

Register here for free: https://lnkd.in/gC3SPysk

05/04/2026

The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) is now accepting applications for the upcoming NSF I-Corps program, an intensive, hands-on experience designed to help researchers, students and community innovators explore the commercial potential of their ideas.

We are accepting applications from any higher educational institution within the Midwest in the Great Lakes Hub region and community participants from anywhere in the state of Ohio!

The I-Corps program supports teams through a focused six-week fully online program aimed at answering critical questions about customers, value propositions and viable business models. Participants work closely with experienced instructors and mentors while engaging directly with potential customers to test assumptions and gather real-world feedback.

Who should apply?
The program is ideal for:
Faculty, graduate students and postdocs with a research-based innovation;
Startup teams and entrepreneurs exploring a technology-driven concept; and
Innovators seeking clarity on customer needs, market fit and next commercialization steps.

Participants gain:
Practical training in customer discovery and the Business Model Canvas;
Structured guidance to evaluate and refine a product, service or technology idea; and Insights that inform future funding, licensing or startup decisions.

There is no cost to participate, and teams leave the program with actionable insights to guide their commercialization pathway. Teams have the opportunity to receive up to $1,500 of support through the National Science Foundation Great Lakes Hub to attend conferences geared toward interacting with potential customers and industry for further customer discovery. All participants completing the I-Corps program receive certificate of completion.

Applications are now open. Space is limited, and teams are encouraged to apply early.

Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gtB4sBrC

Any questions about the program can be directed to [email protected]

04/20/2026

Great turnout at last Thursday’s Innovators Club hosted by the University of Akron Research Foundation at Missing Falls Brewery!
It was a fantastic evening of networking, idea sharing, and connecting with fellow innovators. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We appreciate you being part of our community of entrepreneurs.
We look forward to seeing you at the next one!

03/30/2026

QUICK REMINDER!!!
Please join us for an informative webinar with OAI Parallax to learn more about SBIR/STTR funding opportunities. You will hear from the experts on the program and be able to have all your questions answered.

About Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Grants as a funding opportunity:
- SBIR/STTR = federal grants for technology-based startups to develop
commercially viable innovations
- Focus is on significant innovations with high levels of technical risk
- Funds R&D work like scale-up, prototyping and testing
- Awards are non-dilutive and range from $150,000 to $300,000

SBIR Info Session attendees will:
- Receive an overview of SBIR basics including the latest policy changes
- Get advice on how to find the right SBIR solicitation for your company
- Learn how to prepare components of a proposal for maximum impact
- Schedule to meet one-on-one with an advisor to talk about your technology and proposal idea

Registration is free: https://lnkd.in/eHV3jipd

03/27/2026

Come join us for our I-Pitch competition. Teams from our Spring 2026 I-Corps cohort will take the stage to pitch their innovations to a panel of judges and to you, our audience. We invite you to register and help us select our winner, and connect with UARF while networking with fellow founders and members of our innovation community. Registration is open: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/i-pitch-competition-tickets-1985595498587?aff=oddtdtcreator

03/19/2026

Calling all Mentors, I-Corps Grads & Fellow Entrepreneurs!!!!
Join us on Thursday, April 16th at 4:00pm at our Innovators Club to make new connections, find your network, and enjoy some quality networking with good food and good company!
We will also be celebrating the graduation of our Spring I-Corps Cohort. This is a great chance to pick up program certificates and meet your mentors, instructors, and other cohort members.
All past I-Corps graduates are urged to attend as well! Let’s reconnect and explore new ways we can help you continue on in your success!
Join us for the afternoon and find your people at The Innovators Club! There is plenty of FREE parking!

The Innovators Club is creating a space to:
Network with industry professionals and like-minded people
Connect with new people you might have not met otherwise and grow your network
Build your name in the entrepreneur community by showing your presence in the community
Enjoy some refreshments while catching up with friends!
The Innovators Club is brought to you by the University of Akron Research Foundation!
Register here: https://lnkd.in/ePCPSM8H

03/04/2026

Please join us for an informative webinar with OAI Parallax to learn more about SBIR/STTR funding opportunities. You will hear from the experts on the program and be able to have all your questions answered.

About Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Grants as a funding opportunity:
- SBIR/STTR = federal grants for technology-based startups to develop
commercially viable innovations
- Focus is on significant innovations with high levels of technical risk
- Funds R&D work like scale-up, prototyping and testing
- Awards are non-dilutive and range from $150,000 to $300,000

SBIR Info Session attendees will:
- Receive an overview of SBIR basics including the latest policy changes
- Get advice on how to find the right SBIR solicitation for your company
- Learn how to prepare components of a proposal for maximum impact
- Schedule to meet one-on-one with an advisor to talk about your technology and proposal idea

Registration is free: https://lnkd.in/eHV3jipd

Address

411 Wolf Ledges Pkwy
Akron, OH

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.uakronuarf.com/

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