UC San Diego's Institute for the Global Entrepreneur and the Desert Pacific Hub (in partnership with Scripps) are hosting a 4-session I-Corps workshop built just for you. Think real-world customer discovery, industry deep-dives, and direct access to BlueTech professionals and experienced mentors.

Sessions run virtually Sept 10–Oct 8 | 5:30–8:00 p.m. PT

Application deadline: August 20, 2026

Don't miss your chance to sharpen your skills and plug into the BlueTech community!

The Desert and Pacific I-Corps Hub has announced a new pilot cohort of the NSF I-Corps Aspire program, designed specifically to support innovators affiliated with community colleges.

This four-week workshop offers hands-on training to help participants explore real customer needs, test their assumptions, and strengthen the potential impact of their ideas. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain mentorship and connect with a powerful network of innovators across the region.

Garrett Smith knows a thing or two about medtech startups. He founded his first company as a bioengineering PhD student at the University of California San Diego (PhD ‘12). Since then he has stewarded several technologies through FDA approval; led multiple startups to successful acquisition; directed early innovation partnerships for massive players like Johnson and Johnson Innovation; and overseen a corporate venture capital fund for MedeonBIO.