i3 Lab (Ideate, Innovate, Incubate)

The Ideation Stage helps students transform ideas into validated, testable startup concepts. Through this self-paced program, participants learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship by defining problems, validating them with real customers, and developing solutions using industry-standard frameworks. Using short lectures, guided modules, podcasts, hands-on assignments, and real-world examples, students finish with a validated concept and the confidence to move forward.

Throughout the Ideation Stage, students will progress through the following key modules and activities:

• Introduction to the Ideation Curriculum
  An overview of the i3 Lab journey, expectations, and how students will move from idea to validation.
• Startup Scorecard (Updated Weekly)
  A structured scorecard used to track progress, accountability, and growth throughout the program.
• Module 1: NABC Framework
  Learn how to clearly articulate your idea using the NABC Framework (Need, Approach, Benefits, Competition).
  Students develop a complete NABC framework for their startup idea as a team.
• Module 2: Customer Discovery Basics – Part 1
  Introduction to customer discovery and how to design effective interview questions.
  Students create and refine interview questions to prepare for real customer conversations.
• Module 3: Customer Discovery Basics – Part 2
  Focused on conducting interviews, analyzing insights, and learning how to truly listen to the market.
  Students develop a comprehensive Customer Discovery Report based on real interviews.
• Module 4: Business Model Canvas
  Learn how to map out a startup using the Business Model Canvas, connecting problem, solution, customers, and value creation.
  Students build a complete Business Model Canvas for their idea.
• Module 5: Pitch Preparation
  Learn how to structure and communicate a compelling startup pitch using real-world examples from leading startups.
  Students develop a polished pitch deck as a team.
• Final Evaluation: Ready for Innovation
  A reflective checkpoint to assess readiness for the next stage, including individual assessments and course feedback.

By the end of the Ideation Stage, students don’t just “have an idea” — they have validated a real problem, engaged with real customers, built foundational startup artifacts, and prepared themselves to advance into the Innovation Stage.

The Innovation Stage helps students turn validated ideas into impact-driven ventures. Building on the Ideation Stage, participants deepen customer understanding, refine value propositions, develop prototypes, strengthen business models, and communicate their ideas effectively. Through guided modules, video lectures, hands-on assignments, and real-world tools, students use user-centered, iterative methods to test and refine solutions that meet real market needs.

Throughout the Innovation Stage, students will progress through the following key modules and activities:

• Introduction to the Innovation Curriculum
  An overview of expectations, structure, and how this stage transitions ideas from validation to development.
• Startup Scorecard (Updated Weekly)
  A progress-tracking tool used to monitor milestones, accountability, and venture growth.
• Module 1: Building Impact-Driven Ventures
  Explore how startups can create meaningful impact while building sustainable businesses.
  Students analyze their idea through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and develop an SDG Impact Report.
• Module 2: Customer Discovery & Customer Personas
  Deepen customer discovery efforts and define a clear beachhead customer.
  Students refine their Customer Discovery Report and build a detailed Customer Persona using industry-standard templates.
• Module 3: Refining Your Value Proposition & Business Model Canvas
  Focus on clarifying value, differentiating from competitors, and strengthening the business model.
  Students deliver an improved and refined Business Model Canvas aligned with real customer insights.
• Module 4: Prototyping, Testing, and Intellectual Property Protection
  Learn how to move from concept to prototype while understanding the basics of intellectual property protection.
  Students develop an early prototype of their product or service and explore wireframing and testing methods.
• Module 5: The Innovation Pitch
  Learn how to tell a compelling innovation story backed by traction, validation, and impact.
  Students create a polished Innovation Pitch Deck using real startup examples and best practices.
• Final Evaluation: Ready for Incubation
  A final checkpoint to assess readiness for the Incubation Stage, including reflection and course feedback.

By the end of the Innovation Stage, students have moved beyond ideas and into action—armed with refined models, early prototypes, a strong understanding of their customers, and a compelling pitch that prepares them for incubation and launch.

The Incubation Stage is where student startups transition from validated concepts into execution-ready ventures. This stage focuses on building sustainable, scalable businesses by strengthening value creation, market execution, sales strategy, and organizational foundations. Students work through advanced, real-world startup topics while preparing their venture for launch, pilots, or investment.

Module 1: Value Proposition & Product Strategy

• Refine and clearly articulate the startup’s core value proposition.
• Apply customer-centered product development principles.
• Develop and iterate on prototypes based on user feedback.
• Create wireframes and webpages that clearly communicate product value.
• Identify and define the startup’s unfair advantage through context and competitive analysis.

Module 2: Marketing & Go-To-Market Strategy

• Design go-to-market strategies for launching and acquiring early customers.
• Develop brand identity, storytelling, and positioning.
• Build and refine startup websites aligned with brand messaging.
• Apply the Bullseye Marketing framework to identify high-impact growth channels.

Module 3: Sales & Revenue Strategy

• Explore revenue models and pricing strategies.
• Develop early-stage sales strategies.
• Analyze key financial metrics including CLV and CAC.
• Evaluate market opportunity using TAM–SAM–SOM frameworks.

Module 4: Organizational Structure, Legal & Financial Foundations

• Understand startup equity structures and ownership models.
• Learn legal formation basics and governance considerations.
• Explore intellectual property fundamentals and IP strategy.
• Build financial forecasts, income statements, and feasibility analyses.

By the end of the Incubation Stage, teams have developed the strategic, operational, and financial foundations necessary to scale their startup and operate in real-world market conditions.

The Goat Impact Summer Accelerator (GISA) is the i3 Lab's flagship 7-week, in-person startup accelerator. Combining Ideation, Innovation, and Incubation, selected student teams work full-time as a cohort to build real companies with guidance from faculty, mentors, industry experts, and guest speakers.

Through daily, hands-on work, students interview customers, build and test products, refine business models, and strengthen their pitches. The program concludes with a final pitch, complete startup artifacts, and $5,000 in funding per team to support continued development. Each cohort is limited to 10 teams, creating a focused, high-impact experience.

Throughout GISA, teams progress through the following weekly themes:

Week 1: The Lean Startup Cycle — Build, Measure, Learn

• Introduction to GISA, team formation, and expectations
• Foundations of customer discovery
• Introduction to MVP development
• Pitch fundamentals and first pitch practice

Week 2: From Value to Market

• NABC Framework, value proposition, and Business Model Canvas
• Revenue models and pricing strategies
• Go-to-market planning
• Guest speakers and peer pitch feedback

Week 3: Customer-Centered Product Development

• Webpage best practices and wireframing
• Prototyping and product iteration
• Exposure to real startup environments and events
• Continued pitch refinement and peer review

Week 4: Protect, Analyze, Launch

• Intellectual property and IP strategy
• Unfair advantage and competitive context analysis
• Legal formation and equity structure basics
• Progress pitches and structured feedback

Week 5: Financials and Sales

• Financial forecasting and income statements
• Key startup metrics: CLV, CAC, TAM–SAM–SOM
• Early-stage sales strategies
• Weekly pitch reviews and iteration

Week 6: Make Them Care — Brand & Story

• Brand identity and website development
• Marketing strategy using the Bullseye framework
• Organizational structure and team building
• Advanced pitch storytelling and delivery

Week 7: GISA Exit Ramp — What’s Next

• Preparing to engage investors and external partners
• Finalizing the business model, MVP, and IP strategy
• Final Pitch Day and next-step planning

By the end of GISA, teams leave with far more than a pitch deck. They exit the program with validated customer insights, refined products, clear go-to-market strategies, strong storytelling, real funding, and the confidence to continue building their company beyond the i3 Lab.