RISE-UP Pathways to Innovation & Entrepreneurship

PIE-D is a semester-long, credit-bearing, sprint-like class where one iteration of a “lean startup” design process is the major outcome. Participants will iterate based on key entrepreneurial focus areas: translating needs to technical specifications, concept generation and down-selection, specification refinement, functional prototyping, testing, and redesign.

Following the Lean Launchpad methodology taught by faculty to include real-world entrepreneurs, student teams will focus on ideation and iteration, spanning strategic areas to include oceans, defense, and healthcare. URI’s proximity to Naval infrastructure and investments, provides participants, sponsors and mentors an opportunity to apply rapid problem-solving skills that address critical issues identified by the Navy and real-world entities supporting the Navy.

Faculty and mentors will support and motivate students to explore the commercial landscape of their proof-of-concept “learning” minimally viable prototypes (MVPs) and assist them to navigate securing additional funding to support the next step in the innovation lifecycle.