Innovation Blueprint is a self-paced program that supports Coug entrepreneurs pursuing innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. Launching this Fall semester 2021.
Program features include:
- Support for working on a for-profit or non-profit business venture or project.
- Students from any WSU school and college, undergraduate or graduate, can join the program.
- Participants are guided through four self-paced stages.
- Participants can join the stage most appropriate for their progress (take the survey to find out what stage you are in)
- Resources include coaching, progress funding, curated learning content, expert network, and more.
Build your future
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolding is widely used to get access to heights and areas that would be otherwise hard to get to. Reference
Much like scaffolding in construction, the innovation blueprint scaffolding supports budding entrepreneurs in the creation and development of their entrepreneurial endeavors. It allows student entrepreneurs to access support, gain knowledge, and accomplish things that would otherwise be difficult to reach to on their own, taking their business to new heights. (OR building from the ground up)
Program Structure
You (and your team) will choose the stage and track that is most appropriate for the idea you want to work on. Each stage and the associated resources of the program are applicable to both tracks listed below.
Project Track
This track is for action-oriented ideas aimed at creating a positive impact in the world at large. These projects include things such as social justice & social impact projects.
Business Track
The business track is for ideas that are supported by a business model. These can include technology or non-tech-based ideas, for profit or nonprofit, small hobby-based businesses and family businesses.
You (and your team) will progress through each stage at your own pace, as you progress through the stages there will be achievements and financial incentives that you can earn towards your project.
The Four Stages are
- Laying the groundwork: Familiarize yourself with entrepreneurship and verify that you are working on a problem that needs to be addressed.
- Connecting the pieces: Get comfortable with basic entrepreneurial concepts and verify that you have a compelling and feasible solution idea
- Getting to work: Iterate on your business model canvas and verify that your business model and solution are ready to launch, build your first version of your solution
- Climbing to the top: Launch, scale and create sustained impact with your project or business.
Resources & Benefits
Innovation Blueprint provides support and structure while allowing students to build at their own pace and work around other commitments.
The key resources and benefits include:
- A guided curriculum and resource library of self-paced learning content and resources
- Coaches, mentors, and office hours to support you at every step of the way
- Earn badges and funding to work on your project as you progress through each stage
- Community and peer to peer learning
- Co-working and meeting space
How to Participate
Take our short survey to find out which stage best fits you and your idea to get started!
Funding Incentives
| Stage | Incentives & Achievement |
| Advance from Laying the groundwork to connecting the pieces | Foundations & Standard Badge
+ $100 Innovation credit |
| Advance from connecting the pieces to getting to work | Ledgers & Transoms Badge
+ $150 Innovation credit |
| Advance getting to work to climbing to the top
|
Working Platform Badge
+$750 Innovation credit |
| Finish climbing to the top | Peeling away the scaffolding Badge
Certificate of Completion +$10,000 – 20,000 |
How to Advance
| Stage | Requirements to advance |
| Laying the groundwork |
|
| Connecting the pieces |
|
| Getting to work | Check-in with your mentor. |
| Climbing to the top | Check-in with your mentor. |