Modeled after the NSF I-Corps™ approach, the program supports early-stage teams in testing their value proposition, engaging directly with potential customers and stakeholders, and taking practical steps toward real-world impact.

The 2026 edition is developed under the UT Austin Portugal Program in collaboration with ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação, S.A. and funded by Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and European Union’s NextGenerationEU program, within Component C16 – Digital Transition, Investment C16-i03.02.

Why Apply

TechLaunch helps teams reduce the risk of lab-to-market commercialization by giving them a structured process to test assumptions, validate needs, and understand whether their technology can generate meaningful value outside the lab.

Selected teams will take part in a seven-week hybrid program including training, workshops, weekly presentations, mentoring sessions, and customer discovery activities. Each team is expected to conduct a minimum of 100 customer discovery interviews during the program.

Teams will have access to an indicative budget of up to €30,000 per team to support customer discovery and validation activities, as well as prototyping and in-person participation in the Opening Week in Porto and the Closing Week in Austin. This is a new feature introduced in this year’s edition.

The program ends with an in-person week at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) with covered participation costs. During this final stage, teams present their work, reflect on lessons learned, and engage with the U.S. startup and innovation community.

Who should apply?

• TechLaunch is designed for researchers, Ph.D. students, and early-stage teams who want to explore the market potential of science and engineering-based ideas and engage directly with the market ecosystem.
• The program is particularly suited for teams that are still testing the commercial relevance of their technology and are ready to engage directly with potential users, customers, and stakeholders.
• TechLaunch is not intended for fully commercialized projects, teams seeking direct funding, or participants unable to commit to an intensive program.

What participants will gain

• Test and refine a value proposition based on real market needs.
• Collect first-hand insights from potential customers, users, and stakeholders.
• Build an evidence-based pathway toward commercialization.
• Develop a stronger entrepreneurial mindset for translating research and technology into practical impact.

Key dates

Program structure

TechLaunch 2026 combines intensive training, market validation, and international exposure. The program includes:

• An in-person opening week in Portugal
• Virtual weekly webinars
• Virtual mentoring sessions
• Customer discovery and validation activities
• A final in-person closing week at UT Austin

During the program, teams will work closely with experienced instructors trained under the I-Corps™ model and will receive focused feedback on their customer discovery process, value proposition, and commercialization pathway.

Team structure and eligibility

Each team must include:

• 1 Entrepreneurial Lead (EL): focused on customer discovery and market validation;
• 1 Technical Lead (TL): responsible for the scientific and technological development of the project.

Teams may include up to 4 members in total and may optionally involve a Team Mentor (TM) with industry or entrepreneurial experience. Primary EL and TL roles must be clearly identified.

More on eligibility criteria on the official Program Announcement.

Financial model and support

Participation in TechLaunch 2026 provides access to training, mentoring, and international immersion activities to support the validation of science- and technology-based solutions.

Teams are allocated an indicative budget of up to €30,000 to support customer discovery, validation activities, prototyping, and participation in the Opening Week in Porto and the Closing Week in Austin.

Expenses are primarily managed and paid directly by INESC TEC, with reimbursement applied only in exceptional, pre-approved cases.

This indicative budget is a planning ceiling rather than a fixed grant or cash allocation, and actual costs may vary depending on team needs and program activities.

For more on TechLaunch’s financial model and support, please refer to the official Program Announcement.

Instructors

Aprille (Raabe) Busch, Esq.

Executive Director, Southwest I-Corps Hub | The University of Texas at Austin

Aprille leads the Southwest I-Corps Hub and teaches in NSF’s national I-Corps programs and U.S. SBIR bootcamps.

Before joining UT Austin, she served at the U.S. Department of State, supporting global science and tech cooperation.

Her career spans roles as senior counsel in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and as a foreign affairs officer.

Aprille also serves on the boards of SXSW Pitch and TUNIE, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across Texas.

She holds a JD from Tulane University and a BA in Communication from Saint Mary’s College, with a Peace Studies focus from Notre Dame.

Weston Waldo, MBA

Program Manager, Southwest I-Corps | Director, TEXVMS | The University of Texas at Austin

Weston is a certified NSF I-Corps instructor and experienced startup founder with multiple exits. He has helped guide over 1,800 teams through the I-Corps program and has supported early-stage commercialization across DeepTech, life sciences, and renewables.

He’s also an investor and commercialization reviewer for NSF’s SBIR/STTR program, and has trained teams across multiple I-Corps Hubs. Weston holds both an MBA and BBA from Texas Tech and is fluent in Mandarin.

Jessica Fleenor

Teaching Assistant, Southwest I-Corps Hub | The University of Texas at Austin

Jessica Fleenor is a leader in venture acceleration and startup program design. She directs OwlSpark, Rice University’s tech and small business accelerator, where she oversees strategy, operations, and founder support.

She also founded BlueLaunch, Rice Alliance’s first initiative for non-tech entrepreneurs, which she later integrated into OwlSpark as a dedicated track to expand its reach.

Jessica plays a key role in delivering the NSF I-Corps™ program across Texas, training research teams in customer discovery and commercialization. With a strong background in strategic planning, ecosystem development, and operational execution, she helps entrepreneurs build sustainable, high-impact ventures.

Previous cohort testimonials

Participants from the previous TechLaunch edition highlight how the program helped them move beyond assumptions, engage directly with potential users and customers, and refine their path toward real-world impact.

FAQs

For further FAQs, please consult the Program Announcement.