Thirteen research teams validate market potential through a seven-week intensive program; Team Bedrock Semiconductor secures top honors at the Florida Semiconductor Summit pitch competition.
GAINESVILLE, FL — On Thursday, the NSF I-Corps Semiconductor Regional Course at the University of Florida will conclude its seven-week intensive program, marking a significant milestone in the mission to translate regional semiconductor innovation into market-ready solutions. Running from January 29, the course supported 13 research teams and 43 participants, equipping them with the entrepreneurial tools necessary to bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and commercial application.
Troy Baker of Team Bedrock Semiconductor, whose team won the Innovation Pitch Competition at the 2026 Florida Semiconductor Summit. (Photo credit: SCAD Media)
Over the course of the seven-week program, teams conducted 378 customer discovery interviews with potential customers, industry partners, and stakeholders to test and refine their market assumptions. More than 150 of these interviews were conducted in person at the 2026 Florida Semiconductor Summit in Orlando, where participants engaged directly with industry leaders and semiconductor experts. The most active team in customer discovery was Team Optical Laser Spectroscopy from the University of South Florida, led by Sean Knapp, which conducted 42 interviews during the program.
The Summit also served as the stage for the Innovation Pitch Competition, where two teams from the cohort—Team Bedrock Semiconductor and Team Skyway Organization—competed against four high-caliber teams. Team Bedrock Semiconductor emerged as the winner, demonstrating the strength of the entrepreneurial training and customer discovery work conducted throughout the program.
“The NSF I-Corps Semiconductor Regional Course showcased the power of collaboration and curiosity,” said Amanda DiTrapani, program manager for NSF I-Corps at UF. “Over seven weeks, thirteen teams pushed beyond assumptions, refined their customer segments through hands-on discovery at the Florida Semiconductor Summit, and embraced the iterative mindset that drives real results in I-Corps. We’re proud of their dedication, resilience and commitment to advancing the semiconductor ecosystem.”
The I-Corps regional course was delivered through a strategic collaboration with the Florida Semiconductor Institute (FSI) and benefited from the leadership and expertise of FSI Director David Arnold, PhD, as well as FSI leaders Volker Sorger, PhD, and Jack Judy, PhD.
“Our participants showed exceptional dedication as they engaged deeply in customer discovery, adapted their hypotheses, and embraced the disciplined entrepreneurial approach at the core of the I-Corps program,” DiTrapani said. “Their progress reflects the strength of our partnerships and the growing momentum in semiconductor innovation.”
This partnership ensured that participants were deeply integrated into the state’s semiconductor ecosystem, gaining invaluable insights from the very top of the industry.
David McCarthy, industry expert, speaks during the orientation for the NSF I-Corps Semiconductor Regional Course.
The instructional team represented a powerful cross-institutional effort, featuring Aaron Costin, PhD, and Matias Kirst, PhD, from the University of Florida, alongside Tom O’Neal, PhD, and David Metcalf, PhD, from the University of Central Florida and I-Corps Southeast Hub, and industry expert Dave McCarthy. Together, they guided teams through the rigorous process of validating market hypotheses and identifying key customer segments.
In the final session Thursday, teams will present their findings, share their total customer discovery interview counts, and reflect on how their business models evolved over the course. Beyond the data, teams will outline how they plan to continue applying this methodology to support their future growth.
As the cohort concludes, the momentum for semiconductors and other innovations remains strong. NSF I-Corps at UF is gearing up for the next regional course, open to all fields. Those interested in participating should register to attend a virtual Intro to NSF I-Corps workshop. Workshops are scheduled for March and April; the next I-Corps Regional Course begins in May.
Those interested in attending can get more information and register here
Intro workshop: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/intro-to-nsf-i-corps-workshop/
Regional Course: https://innovate.research.ufl.edu/nsf-i-corps-regional-course/
Written By:
Sooyoung Ryu, Social Media Producer
