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Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP)

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Program Overview

The Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) assists Virginia-based technology and innovation-driven startups on their path to success. Supporting startups – from ideation, all the way through seeking Series A level of funding and beyond – ICAP services are offered at no cost to participants and all advising is strictly confidential. Experiential learning programs and one-on-one advising with our experienced team of ICAP Mentors (all successful entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs), have created a long track record of success for our clients. Through ICAP, our clients have been able to: learn how to validate their business model (for themselves and funders) before investing significant dollars, connect with subject matter experts, deeply understand their marketplace and competition, and make industry and funder connections. ICAP is also partnered with Mason’s NSF I-Corps Program to deliver our Introduction to Lean Startup Course. 

What to Expect in ICAP

The ICAP Team emphasizes the five key milestones on a startup’s path to investment and scaling:

  1. Validating a Business Model
  2. Building a Team
  3. Developing an MVP (Minimal Viable Product)
  4. Securing Pilots/Early Sales
  5. Creating Key Partnerships (Investors, Distributors, Suppliers, etc.)

Each company begins their time in ICAP with an initial meeting with an ICAP Mentor for them to get to know the entrepreneur, understand their venture, assess the company’s needs, and develop a plan for moving forward. Whether your goal is to better understand your market, join an accelerator, connect with industry partners, or meet early-stage investors, the ICAP Team is dedicated to making the right connections when the company is ready. The ICAP team stays engaged as a company progresses through their milestones, becoming a later-stage startup and eventually transitions from a startup to a growth company and the unique needs this entails.

Benefits of ICAP

The overall goal of ICAP is to assist startups on their path towards success, and to provide customized support and connection to resources based on their needs and when they are ready.

See upcoming program dates

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Accelerate Commercialization

Reduce the time to translate a promising idea or research to the marketplace

 

Focus on the 5 Big Things

Validating a business model, building a team, developing a MVP, securing pilots/early sales, and creating key partnerships are all key elements that we work on with our startup clients

 

Grants and Federal Funding

Improve your chances of being awarded competitive CCF, SBIR, and other grants through our National Science Foundation affiliated program

Dedicated ICAP Mentor

Our highly-experienced group of  ICAP Mentors provide one-on-one advising for as long as you continue working on your venture

Introductory Course

The 2.5-week intro course helps entrepreneurs to take the right first steps to bring technologies and innovations to market. It is run in partnership with Mason's NSF I-Corps Program

Connection to Resources

Whether it is support to join an accelerator or introductions to early-stage investors, the ICAP Team is dedicated to make the right connections when the company is ready

Upcoming ICAP Programs

ICAP is hosting an Introductory Course that will expose startups to the Lean Startup methodology and focuses them on identifying an initial customer segment and value proposition. Learn more about the Introductory Course and see the programming and application dates for the next available course.

May 2023 Virtual Cohort

July 2023 Virtual Cohort

September 2023 Virtual Cohort

November 2023 Virtual Cohort

Introductory Call: May 2 - 6pm to 8pm

Session Dates: May 16, 17, 18, 25, and June 1 - 9am to 12:30pm

To learn more, please click here .

Introductory Call: June 26 - 6pm to 8 pm  

Session Dates: July 11, 12, 13, 20, 28 _ 9am to 12:30pm

To learn more, please click here .

Introductory Call: August 22 - 6pm to 8 pm  

Session Dates: September 5, 6, 7, 14, 21 - 1pm to 4:30pm

To learn more, please click here .

Introductory Call: October 17 - 6pm to 8 pm  

Session Dates: October 31, November 1, 2, 9, and 16 - 9am to 12:30pm 

To learn more, please click here 

Apply Today

Fill Out the ICAP Application Here

Impact Statistics

0 100
M+


Total Capital

0 500
+


Jobs Created / Retained

0 1000
+


Clients

0 20
K+


Counseling Hours

ICAP Success Stories

Contact

Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program

Virginia Small Business Development Center Network

George Mason University

4031 University Drive, Suite 100 Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: 703-277-7723 (o)

Email: icap@virginiasbdc.org