Student Innovation & Entrepreneurship

The Ideation Stage is where ideas are challenged, refined, and transformed into real, testable startup concepts. This self-paced program introduces students to the core foundations of entrepreneurship while emphasizing action over theory. Participants learn how to clearly define a problem, validate it with real customers, and shape a compelling solution using industry-standard frameworks. Through a combination of short lectures, guided modules, podcasts, hands-on assignments, and real-world examples, students leave this stage 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 is where validated ideas begin to take shape as real, impact-driven ventures. Building on the foundations established during Ideation, this stage focuses on deepening customer understanding, refining value propositions, and translating concepts into tangible solutions. Students move beyond exploration into execution, developing prototypes, strengthening business models, and learning how to communicate innovation with clarity and purpose.

Through guided modules, video lectures, hands-on assignments, and real-world tools, participants learn how to design ventures that are both scalable and meaningful. Emphasis is placed on impact, user-centered design, and iterative development, ensuring that ideas are tested, improved, and aligned with 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, immersive startup experience. GISA combines Ideation, Innovation, and Incubation into an intensive 7-week, in-person accelerator, where student founders work full-time as a cohort to build real companies. Teams meet daily with professors, industry experts, mentors, and guest speakers from a wide range of fields while progressing step-by-step through the startup journey.

GISA is highly hands-on, fast-paced, and collaborative. Students spend their summer talking to customers, building and testing products, refining business models, and improving their pitch every single week. By the end of the program, teams deliver a final pitch, complete startup artifacts, and receive $5,000 in funding per team to support continued development. Each GISA cohort consists of 10 selected teams, creating a focused, high-impact environment.

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.