ICAP is a statewide technology-commercialization program offered by the Virginia Network of Small Business Development Centers, George Mason University, and local sponsors.

Based on the National Science Foundation's I-Corps™ program for Lean Startups, ICAP 2.0 helps inventors and entrepreneurs take the right first steps in bringing new technologies and innovations to market.

During this FREE 3-week program, you will work with ICAP instructors and your teammates to learn techniques that will help you identify potential customers, learn their needs and how you can build a successful business model from that knowledge.

The Short Course is the beginning of an ICAP process that guides companies through the Five Steps to Startup Success:

Who is Eligible?
All Virginia early-stage technology innovators and entrepreneurs (faculty, students, or the community at large) who are seeking to explore the commercial prospects for their innovations are encouraged to participate in this regional cohort.  

Important Dates
December 15, 2017 - Applications due by midnight
December 22, 2017 - Acceptance notifications and communication from Bob Smith, a seasoned advisor, with next steps and instructions, including how to prepare for the first session. 
January 26, 2018, 9:00am-3:00pm - Kick-off Classroom Introductory Session.  We meet in JMU's Lakeview Hall, Harrisonburg. ( Location | Google Maps)
February 2, 2018 - Each team participates in a pre-scheduled telephone review of the team's Customer Discovery Progress over the first week
February 9, 2018, 9:00am-Noon - Final Team Presentations at JMU's Lakeview Hall

The program is designed to generate a maximum impact over a relatively short duration, and should be considered a required first step for anyone interested in commercializing a technology or product, whether through a startup or licensing arrangement. 

Some graduates of this cohort may be eligible to apply to NSF's full National Seven-week I-Corps Program in which includes non-dilutive grants for customer discovery and prototype development. Additionally, this program can help teams develop better submissions for SBIRs and CRCF grants from Virginia's Center for Innovative Technologies. 

For more information email: [email protected]  

This Cohort is hosted by the  Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center,  JMU X-Labs, and the  Shenandoah Valley Technology Council. 

Lord Fairfax Community College brings you a course presenting the benefits of different Google

Apps! Most people are familiar with the popular search engine Google. However, there is so much more Google has to offer for personal productivity and business professionals to take advantage of with a Google Apps account. This course looks thoroughly at many of the most productive Google Apps and how tried and true best practices can make a major positive change for you and/or your business.

 
To stay up to date with current events and find credible information via the Web, you'll review Advanced Google Searching, Google News, Alerts, Plus, and Chrome.  For improved efficiency and communication you'll closely examine Google Mail and Google Calendar.  Online productivity and collaboration for word processing, presentations, spreadsheets and more will be fully covered via Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Apps.  Come learn how Google can improve your personal, professional, and business productivity!
 
In order to access many of the features discussed in this class, participants are encouraged to set up a free Gmail account (https://accounts.google.com/signup) before coming to class.

JMU Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

The Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics programs at JMU combine cutting edge technology with 21st century business practices into a hands-on active-learning environment. Our faculty are dedicated to providing the best possible education and career preparation for students who have the talent and work ethic to succeed in the challenging and rewarding IT marketplace. Students graduating from our programs gain significant analytical, technical, organizational and interpersonal skills so that they can hit the ground running when they begin their careers. It's no wonder that employers and recruiters keep coming back for more!

Lord Fairfax Community College

Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) is a comprehensive, multi-campus public institution of higher education. Through its four locations - the Fauquier and Middletown Campuses and the Luray-Page County and Vint Hill Centers - the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. LFCC offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. LFCC also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. LFCC serves more than 9,000 credit students and nearly 10,000 individuals in professional development and workforce courses annually.