About USF I-Corps

Four innovative start-ups awarded Foundation BRAG funding to advance USF technologies
August 26, 2024
The University of South Florida Foundation and the University of South Florida Research Foundation are proud to announce the latest recipients of Foundation Bull Ring Accelerator Grants (BRAG). This program, designed to support early-stage start-ups affiliated with the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator (TBTI), provides critical funding to help bridge the challenging "valley of death" that many nascent technology companies face on their path to commercialization. Dr. John Licato was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2023 USF I-Corps Team. Dr. Shalini Jain was an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) and Dr. Hariom Yadav was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps Team, and Dr. Yadav was the Principal Investigator (PI) for a 2023 National I-Corps Team. Dr. John Cotter was an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) on a Spring 2022 USF I-Corps Team.

USF researcher unlocking mysteries of brain development with advanced imaging and virtual reality
May 23, 2024
Through high-tech imaging and virtual reality, a University of South Florida medical engineering professor is creating a detailed map of the brain that can be used to better understand developmental disorders, such as autism, and provide earlier, more effective treatments for brain injuries and diseases. Dr. George Spirou was the Principal Investigator (PI) on the syGlass project for a Spring 2019 USF I-Corps team.

USF's human trafficking research lab receives nearly $3 million in federal support to build and enhance anti-trafficking tools
March 12, 2024
The University of South Florida's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab is moving forward with the creation of powerful new resources to combat human trafficking and aid victims after receiving nearly $3 million from the 2024 federal spending package. Dr. Shelly Wagers was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2020 USF I-Corps team.

Off-the-Shelf Repair for Corroded Bridges Advanced Techniques & High-Strength Materials
March 4, 2024
One of just four projects supported by recent seed funding provided by USF Research & Innovation and the Florida High Tech Corridor Early-Stage Innovation Fund, Dr. Haber's research team has developed an innovative solution for repairing failing steel bridges. The long-range commercial aim is to develop a repair system that is versatile and deployable at scale by bridge owners. Dr. Zachary Haber is the Principle Investigator (PI) for a Spring 2024 USF I-Corps team.

USF wins AUTM's Better World Project Award for Professor Yeh's NEWgenerator
February 23, 2024
AUTM, the national organization for university technology managers, has named the University of South Florida the winner of its 2024 Better Project Award. The USF Technology Transfer Office worked with inventor Daniel Yeh, a professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, and his team to secure intellectual property protection for NEWgenerator. Dr. Daniel Yeh was the Principal Investigator (PI) for a 2015 national NSF I-Corps team and a Spring 2016 USF I-Corps team.