Mason offers various services to the faculty and students who are interested in commercializing their inventions. Here are some of the resources that can help you bring your ideas into marketplace:
MASON INNOVATION EXCHANGE (MIX): To create a sense of community for Mason’s student entrepreneurs, the Mason Innovation Exchange consists of both physical spaces (“MIX” spaces) and entrepreneurship programs.
NSF I-CORPS PROGRAM: The NSF I-Corps is a program aimed at teaching university researchers the process for moving a university research discovery towards commercialization. Program participants will use the Lean Launchpad curriculum to assess the commercial viability of opportunities that arise from academic research in the STEM fields, by conducting customer interviews and working closely with mentors who have commercialization expertise.
INNOVATION COMMERCIALIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICAP): As the official National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ regional short course program for Mason, ICAP helps researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs take the right first steps in bringing new technologies and innovations to market. It includes FREE training programs and counseling services offered through ICAP Mentors. ICAP helps startups identify potential customers and develop successful business models based on that knowledge. It is an ideal program for early-stage companies trying to prepare for grants and eventual venture investment.
MASON ENTERPRISE CENTERS (MEC): MEC is a network of community facing start-up incubators overlaid with entrepreneurship advisory programs. Four regional incubators support over 200 start-up companies across Northern Virginia.
CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CIE): CIE is an interdisciplinary hub in the School of Business that supports innovators and changemakers from all Mason schools and programs.