Working on an idea for a while, is Innovation Blueprint right for me?
Absolutely. The program is self-paced and non-curricular, so you can come into the program at any phase and be given hands-on advice, mentorship, and resources to get the idea into the next phase of development.
Can I join if I do not have a team and am the only person working on the idea?
Yes. The Center of Entrepreneurship (CfE) works with single-member teams. We can even help you think about which human capital might be needed to turn your idea into reality.
What if I have an idea but am not interested in turning it into a startup?
Not a problem. We have a “project” track that can help you still walk your idea through the “paces” to understand the entrepreneurial process.
I have an idea for a non-profit, can I participate?
We welcome ideas for non-profits. Social entrepreneurship can take all forms, and simply because a project is mission-oriented or socially geared does not mean it cannot benefit from Innovation Blueprint.
Can I work with students outside of WSU on my project/idea?
Yes. So long as one of the core/founding team members is affiliated with WSU, the project is eligible for our program.
Can I get course credit for working on this?
Possibly. The Center for Entrepreneurship is a non-academic unit on campus that helps students from all majors, colleges, and educational levels. You will need to communicate with your course instructor to confirm you can receive course credit, but we can help you with this process.
I am a graduate student, can I participate?
Absolutely. The Center for Entrepreneurship is for ALL COUGS regardless of discipline or student status. Come chat with us!
I am an international student, and my idea is to launch something outside of the US, can I participate?
You can always work on a project theoretically or for a class project. If you intend to take the idea back to your country of origin, you will need to seek advice from an immigration attorney or someone from the WSU International Programs department.
Am I eligible for funding incentives if I am in a course and receiving class credit?
Yes. We have scholarships and merit-based incentives for teams or students who are serious about moving their idea to a real product or service.
How long does it take to complete IB?
The program, at minimum, would take a full calendar year to complete, but it is self-paced, so you can work on it for the entirety of your time at WSU.
If I stop working on the idea, am I penalized?
No. We always want to see students complete the program and launch their dream career, but we understand stuff happens 🤷, and that’s ok.
Can I start the program in the middle/end of the semester?
Yes. The program is developed and designed to mirror real life. Innovation is like sparks that ignite, and we specifically designed the program to support innovation at any stage and any time in the academic calendar.
What can I use innovation credits for?
Completing different tasks and events at each stage make financial or in-kind resources available for activities to further your project. This could include access to materials for building physical prototypes, time on machines across WSU or access to data acquisition regarding your ideal customer profile (ICP) through LinkedIn premium or other paywalled databases.
When and how will I be able to access the innovation credits for my project?
Innovation credits are available after you have been “promoted” to the next level of the program by a staff member of the CfE.