Under the industrial mentorship of José Gabriel Carrasco, CEO of Quarks Advantage, the NFTR project was selected among the 25 most innovative initiatives at the 2024 I-Corps Hub Northeast Region Annual Meeting, fueling entrepreneurial spirit and small business recovery across the region.
In the dynamic world of technology-driven solutions, the National Science Foundation (NSF) stands as a bridge between research and impactful innovation, playing a critical role in enabling ideas to evolve into transformative solutions. Among NSF’s most visionary initiatives is the Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, which was created to empower scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to convert promising ideas into real-world applications. The program enables teams across the United States to move their concepts from lab benches and research papers into thriving ventures, offering guidance, resources, and connections to industry experts. With regional hubs strategically located throughout the country, I-Corps is focused on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship on a local level, addressing unique needs and challenges within each region.
For the Northeast, a hotbed of tech innovation and a haven for budding ventures, the I-Corps Hub Northeast Region serves as a gateway to significant opportunities. The Hub acts as a meeting point, bringing together skilled teams, seasoned mentors, and ambitious visionaries who are committed to driving change. This year, Princeton University proudly hosted the 2024 I-Corps Northeast Region Annual Meeting, attracting some of the brightest minds in the entrepreneurial landscape. It was a chance to spotlight groundbreaking ideas, celebrate progress, and explore new directions within the region’s vibrant ecosystem.
Quarks Advantage: A Vision for Innovation with Impact
Amidst this gathering of top innovators, Quarks Advantage emerged as a standout participant. Known for its commitment to creating impactful, practical, and scalable solutions, Quarks Advantage is a company that takes pride in fostering innovations that make a tangible difference in society. The Quarks Advantage Team, with Gabriel Alejandro Carrasco, Noiralih Guere and José Gabriel Carrasco R., has been dedicated to exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies to address real-world problems. But beyond technology alone, Quarks Advantage is deeply committed to supporting the human side of business—the resilience, confidence, and motivation that drive individuals to succeed even in challenging times.
Participating in the I-Corps program was a natural choice for Quarks Advantage. With a vision rooted in positive impact and sustainable innovation, the I-Corps opportunity was perfectly aligned with the company’s values. By joining the program, Quarks Advantage sought to leverage the resources, mentorship, and network that I-Corps provides to refine and expand their project’s potential. It was an opportunity to connect with thought leaders, learn from other innovators, and push the boundaries of what their team could achieve.
Introducing NFTR: A Beacon of Resilience for Entrepreneurs
Quarks Advantage entered I-Corps with a project that resonates deeply with entrepreneurs, especially those who have faced challenges in recent years. The project, named NFTR (No Fear to Restart), is an innovative platform designed to bolster resilience and confidence in entrepreneurs and small business owners. Built on the foundation of AI-driven coaching, NFTR is not your typical mentoring program. Instead, it acts as a “soft mentor,” delivering tailored support that guides users through mental and practical hurdles, empowering them to restart or reinvigorate their ventures with newfound motivation.
NFTR was born from the realization that small businesses often face unique, multifaceted obstacles, especially in times of economic uncertainty or crisis. Setbacks—whether financial, operational, or emotional—can quickly erode the confidence of even the most seasoned business owners. NFTR was designed to address this very issue by providing personalized coaching at scale, utilizing artificial intelligence to create an accessible, responsive, and impactful solution.
Through its AI-driven platform, NFTR offers a range of resources, from tailored motivational content and best practices to step-by-step guidance on regaining control over business challenges. This accessible support system is designed to serve as a lifeline, especially for those who may not have access to traditional mentorship or the means for costly business consultations. NFTR aims to reach entrepreneurs where they are and support them with what they need, making it a vital resource in today’s business landscape.
The Recognition of NFTR at the I-Corps Northeast Hub Annual Meeting
The selection of NFTR as one of the top 25 projects to be showcased at the 2024 I-Corps Hub Northeast Region Annual Meeting was a significant milestone for Quarks Advantage. Competing against hundreds of innovative teams, NFTR was chosen for its unique approach to business resilience, its potential for societal impact, and its alignment with the mission of I-Corps to bring groundbreaking ideas to market.
The Annual Meeting, held at Princeton University on October 15th, provided NFTR with an invaluable platform to connect with like-minded innovators, business leaders, and thought leaders across the northeast region. For José Gabriel Carrasco and the team at Quarks Advantage, the event was more than just an opportunity to showcase their project—it was a chance to build partnerships, exchange ideas, and gain insights that could propel NFTR to the next level.
The recognition of NFTR at such a prestigious gathering validated the hard work, creativity, and commitment of the Quarks Advantage team. Being selected as one of the standout projects at the I-Corps Northeast Hub reinforced the significance of NFTR’s mission to support entrepreneurs in an ever-changing landscape and offered a promising glimpse into the future of resilience coaching through AI.
José Gabriel Carrasco R.: The Industrial Mentor Powering NFTR’s Success
At the heart of NFTR’s success is José Gabriel Carrasco R., the CEO of Quarks Advantage and an expert in artificial intelligence. With a keen understanding of both the technical and human aspects of AI applications, Carrasco serves as the Industrial Mentor for NFTR, guiding the project with his expertise and dedication to impactful innovation. His role as Industrial Mentor has been crucial in shaping the direction of NFTR, ensuring that it meets the real needs of entrepreneurs and remains adaptable to various challenges that small business owners encounter.
As a leader deeply invested in advancing AI-driven solutions, Carrasco’s mentorship has provided the NFTR team with a clear focus on how to apply technology meaningfully. He has been instrumental in shaping the coaching dynamics within NFTR, making sure the platform is not just a tool but a genuine resource for empowering entrepreneurs. His leadership underscores the commitment of Quarks Advantage to support ventures that make a difference, particularly for those navigating the demanding road of entrepreneurship.
A Thank You to I-Corps and a Look Ahead
Being recognized by the I-Corps Hub Northeast Region is a significant milestone, but it is also a stepping stone toward a broader vision. The NFTR team is grateful to the I-Corps Northeast Hub for providing an incredible platform and to everyone who has supported them on this journey. This experience has strengthened the team’s resolve to continue developing NFTR, enhancing its offerings, and reaching more entrepreneurs who need support.
Looking ahead, Quarks Advantage is excited to build on this momentum, refining NFTR’s capabilities and expanding its reach to empower even more entrepreneurs to rise, rebuild, and restart without fear. With a deep commitment to innovation, resilience, and the power of AI, José Gabriel Carrasco and the team at Quarks Advantage are ready to take NFTR to new heights. Their journey is far from over, and this recognition at the I-Corps Hub Northeast Region Annual Meeting is just the beginning of a transformative impact in the world of small business support.
