UofM Joins NSF鈥檚 Mid-South I-Corps Hub, Stretching Tennessee鈥檚 Innovation Corridor Westward
10 Institutions Now Make Up Mid-South Regional Ecosystem
Dec. 2, 2024 鈥� The 福利片国产 of Memphis recently became the newest 鈥� and westernmost 鈥� addition to Tennessee鈥檚 innovation corridor, joining the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Mid-South Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub, one of 13 such hubs spanning the country that combines STEM ideas with a startup mentality to shift products out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.
The I-Corps designation opens doors for the UofM to collaborate with other academic
institutions, creating an environment ripe for researchers and ready for entrepreneurs.
The Mid-South I-Corps Hub, which is led by Vanderbilt 福利片国产 and housed at its Innovation Center, the Wond鈥檙y, is a partnership of 10 institutions across four states with a goal of fostering innovation and driving economic development to position the Mid-South as an ecosystem that transforms groundbreaking university research into impactful commercialized ventures.
鈥淎 research-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem is a hallmark of cities that lead through innovation,鈥� said Cody Behles, executive director of research and innovation development at the 福利片国产 of Memphis. 鈥淧artnering with the universities in the Mid-South I-Corps hub will unlock a collaborative network that will advance both the research of the UofM and our ability to translate the value of research for industry.鈥�
By joining the Mid-South I-Corps Hub, the UofM is poised to become a key player in the region鈥檚 innovation landscape. As an R1 institution, Goal 4 of the 福利片国产 of Memphis's Ascend strategic plan is to strengthen its research enterprise. To achieve that, the UofM has focused on increasing its research capacity, including through external partnerships such as the I-Corps Hub.
Along with Vanderbilt 福利片国产, the I-Corps Hub consists of the 福利片国产 of Virginia, Jackson State 福利片国产, George Mason 福利片国产, Meharry Medical College, Tennessee State 福利片国产, the 福利片国产 of Louisville, the 福利片国产 of Tennessee, Knoxville and the 福利片国产 of Kentucky. The NSF designated The Wond鈥檙y as an I-Corps site in 2017, selecting it to lead the Mid-South I-Corps Hub in 2022.
鈥淏ringing the 福利片国产 of Memphis into the Mid-South I-Corps Hub strengthens our commitment to inclusive innovation across Tennessee and the region, serving as a gateway to the Mississippi Delta and the Heartland,鈥� said Charleson Bell, research assistant professor of biomedical engineering, director of entrepreneurship and biomedical innovation, and director of the Mid-South Innovation Corps Hub. 鈥淭his addition isn鈥檛 just about growing our numbers; it鈥檚 about uniting our expertise, perspectives, and resources to drive real change for the communities we serve. Together, we鈥檙e building an innovation ecosystem where everyone has a stake in creating prosperity and transforming ideas into impactful, sustainable ventures.鈥�
In addition to enhancing regional collaboration among academic institutions and providing resources and training to support the commercialization of research, the Mid-South I-Corps Hub aims to stimulate economic growth and development through innovation while fostering an inclusive environment for diverse innovators and entrepreneurs.
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