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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.

What to Expect in ICAP

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

Validating a Business Model
Building a Team
Developing an MVP (Minimal Viable Product)
Securing Pilots/Early Sales
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

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

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 introductory course helps entrepreneurs to take the right first steps to bringing new technologies and innovations to market

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.

November 2022 Virtual Cohort

Introductory Call: October 18 - 6pm to 8pm

Session Dates: November 1, November 2, November 3, November 10, and November 17 - 9am to Noon

To learn more, please click here .

Apply Today

Fill Out the ICAP Application Here

Impact Statistics

0 92

M+

Total Capital

0 430

Jobs Created / Retained

0 870

Clients

0 17

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: 703-277-7703 (o)
Email: icap@virginiasbdc.org

Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP)