How it Works:   

Eligibility:  

The SHRS Innovation Challenge is open to faculty, post-doctoral associates, graduate students and staff who are:  

• Working on University of Pittsburgh intellectual property led by a principal investigator who is a faculty member or postdoctoral associate in the School of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences   
• Interested in learning and participating in commercialization of university technology discoveries. 

Students are welcome and encouraged to participate on teams led by an SHRS faculty member or postdoctoral associates.    

The Challenge is done in conjunction with the NSF I-Corps

• If participants have already successfully completed a previous First Gear Cohort or NSF Regional Course for the technology submitted, they are eligible to skip the course as long as they provide 25 documented customer interviews and attend the three additional mini courses (see below).  
• Accepted applicants are required to participate in and successfully complete the Regional NSF I-Corps Course (April 7 – May 15, 2025):
  • A four-week virtual course providing university-based researchers key insights into exploring the market potential of their work while learning entrepreneurial skills    
  • The course combines self-directed online learning activities with six Zoom-based class meetings (one-two hours long), and two one-on-one instructor check-ins 
• Participants learn to apply “customer discovery” methodology to evaluate the potential for translating their technology innovation from the lab into a successful product and/or service.   

Three additional “mini courses” will be presented following completion of the course:

• Market Analysis: May 12, 2025, noon – 2 p.m. 
• Competition: May 14, 2025, noon – 2 p.m. 
• Pitch Deck/Story Telling: May 21, 2025: noon – 2 p.m.  

Finalists (successfully complete I-Corps Regional Course) will provide the following collateral:   

• A one-page Marketing Brief (template will be provided) that summarizes the innovation’s value proposition, market opportunity, competitive landscape, technology, stage of development and IP landscape  
• Final Opportunity Pitch Deck that tells a compelling story demonstrating the need for your solution, convinces the judges that solving the problem is worth the effort and that your solution has advantages over any current offerings and addresses the customer’s needs  

Final Pitch rehearsals and OIE EIR feedback will be held during the weeks of June 2 and June 9, 2025.   

The final pitches will take place in June 2025. 

Why Participate? 

• Funding Opportunities: Compete for a share of the $40,000 total award pool to advance your research. 
• Entrepreneurial Training: Gain valuable insights and skills through a four-week virtual course (NSF I-Corps Interior Northeast) designed to help you explore the market potential of your work. 
• Networking: Connect with entrepreneurial judges and fellow innovators, expanding your professional network. 
• Market Readiness: Move your early-stage discoveries towards commercialization and make a real-world impact.