Rise-Up program
Ideation Studio
What is Ideation Studio?
This program, offered each Fall, Spring, and Summer, supports faculty, staff, students, and community teams to develop and transfer a wide range of innovative solutions for real world challenges. Ideation Studio’s goal is to help URI and RI groups explore and navigate the establishment of company startups spinning out from the dorm room, garage, classroom, and/or lab.
Teams create and iterate a Business Model Canvas (BMC) using the Lean Startup Methodology, execute customer discovery, develop and test their Value Proposition, and create Minimally Viable Products (MVPs) to be tested by early adopters. Participants learn to “love the problem” and identify their customer before falling in love with the solution.
Ideation Studio is supported by collaborations from the URI Research Foundation, RIHub, URI Launch Lab, and MassChallenge, among other RI innovation ecosystem partners, faculty and students as well as URI affiliated community members.
If you would like to know more about Ideation Studio, contact RISE-UP at riseupri@urirf.org.
Application Process
Step 1: Apply
Submit a full application
Step 2: Selection Team Application Review
The RISE-UP Selection Team reviews applications. After the review process, each applicant is informed of the status of their acceptance.
Step 3: Next Steps
Accepted applicants receive an offer letter and onboarding to RISE-UP.
Applicants can expect to attend at least 2 hours of class each week and additional independent work.
To transform discoveries and ideas into game-changing solutions, venture mentorship will be provided by Ideation Studio partners and the larger RI entrepreneurship ecosystem with the below outcomes
- Developing a Business Model
- Raising Capital
- Collaborative Research Funding
- Navigating Seed Funding Challenges
- SBIR/STTR Application Assistance
- Guidance & Mentorship
- Tailored Curriculum in Startup Lifecycle
- Preparing Pitch Decks
Applicants
Individuals, teams or startups with URI-affiliated, working on STEAM based innovations who want to commercialize and create real-world impact.
Timelines
1 Semester equivalent of Curriculum based Learning and MVP Development Eligible Projects enter Stage 2 of Development with possible funding
Learn
Evolve
Get individualized assistance from a curated group of program coaches, experienced proven industry mentors, and subject matter experts who are dedicated to supporting the development and expansion of your startup.
Grow
Access to funding for supplies and the creation of MVPs, customer discovery, early customer acceptance, customer testing, as well as additional funding opportunities through grant-writing education, partner and investor connections.
Expand
Broaden your network of tech innovators, entrepreneurs, mentors, and investors – in Rhode Island, the United States and globally – by leveraging a range of events and connections facilitated by our program partners, MassChallenge, RIHub and URI LaunchLabs.
Who Should Apply?
Ideation Studio is designed to support students, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, business leaders, and startups in fueling the next steps of their growth. You are encouraged to apply if:
- You wish to learn Lean Startup Methodology via an extensive curriculum
- You are looking to collaborate, network and potentially create/join teams based on common interest areas for problem solving
- You are hoping to develop a Business Model and possible Minimal Viable Product during your participation
Startups that offer URI-affiliated, STEAM based innovations may also apply if:
- At least one member of the company (i.e. founder, executive, technical subject matter expert, researcher) is a URI System faculty, researcher, student, staff and/or alumni. Students and alumni must partner and apply with a current URI faculty and/or staff member; OR
- The technology must have originated and/or been developed at the University of Rhode Island
Program Leads
Joe Loberti
Independent Business Development Consultant
Joe Loberti is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in Entrepreneurial, High Tech, and Consumer Environments. Joe has a strong track record in business development, particularly in the startup and early-stage venture space.
Joe was a Principal at Navia Business Development, a business development firm that helps foster growth in startups and early stage ventures. In addition to continuing to work in the business development area, he is the co-owner of a number of business ventures, including Revolution Cycle Works, a bicycle component manufacturer. His prior positions include CEO for Alektrona, a smart grid communications company and in-house senior business development roles for Navia clients.
Joe worked for over 17 years at American Power Conversion (APC) and became a Senior Vice President prior to his departure in 2008. He is also involved as an active investor, mentor and advisor to local businesses.
Nishita Roy-Pope
Founder & CEO of Tribe Academy
Nishita’s current role as the Founder and CEO of a growing startup venture focused on empowering young people reflects her dedication to fostering early learning skills, communication and collaboration, and developing an appreciation for diversity.
Meet Our Team
Associate Director (Center ICE)
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Special Thanks
Special thanks to our all our partners and teammates at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and University of Hawai’i who have collaborated with us over months to make this project a success.