Idea Test Lab

The Idea Test Lab is a cohort based, 4-week program designed to create an inclusive pipeline of high-growth entrepreneurs and startups in Southeastern North Carolina and to build resilience in founders. These two cohorts in early 2025 will include a Women in Tech/Female Founders cohort, as well as a BlueTech/ClimateTech focused cohort.

Idea Test Lab is an early-stage entrepreneurship course to enable founders to determine if there is business value in an idea. Each of the four sessions will focus on different entrepreneurial design topics such as value proposition, identifying the customer's problem, competition, and market analysis.

This course outline provides a structured approach, using the Wendy Kennedy Methodology (WKI), to guiding participants through the crucial stages of startup ideation, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competition. Idea Test Lab wraps up with a Demo Day, where founders have the opportunity to showcase their business idea to community members, students, and other founders.

Apply to Idea Test Lab

Qualifications

Early-stage (ideation stage) company
High impact technology
Relevant to cohort technology sector
Able to attend the 4 sessions and the Demo Day

Time Commitment

Four weeks - One 3-hour session per week for four weeks, followed by a Demo Day. If you cannot make the sessions in person, there is a hybrid option, but Demo Day is in person.

What’s in it for YOU?

Connections to a network of UNCW community and ecosystem partners
CIE coworking membership for the duration of 2025
Mentorship and guidance; access to CIE mentors
Validation of ideas using WKI tools
Identify value proposition
Cohort experience – joining a cohort allows you to learn from experiences of other entrepreneurs and share challenges
Post-program support
The opportunity to receive up to $5K to put towards your company!

What types of ideas or companies are applicable to the BlueTech/ClimateTech Idea Test Lab cohort?

BlueTech/ClimateTech examples include, but are not limited to: aquaculture solutions, agriculture technologies, water quality or purification, deep sea mapping, plastic alternatives, blue economy related businesses, ecotourism, renewable energy, monitoring tools, marine robotics, & waste management.

Application Deadlines and Schedules

WOMEN IN TECH/ FEMALE FOUNDERS applications for 2025 are now CLOSED.
BLUETECH/CLIMATE-TECH applications accepted until April 25, 2025.

Women in Tech/Female Founders Cohort: Powered by Wells Fargo

BlueTech/ClimateTech session dates
Date	Session
March 12	Kickoff, Value Proposition, and Defining Customer Problem
March 19	Customers and Market Landscape
March 26	Competition and Financial Tool
April 2	Go-to-Market Plan, Pitch Decks
April 9 1-4 pm	Idea Test Lab – Women in Tech/Female Founders Demo Day (Public event: Register here to attend)

*Wednesdays from 2-5 p.m.

BlueTech/ClimateTech Cohort

Women-in-Tech session dates
Date	Session
May 7	Kickoff, Value Proposition, and Defining Customer Problem
May 14	Customers and Market Landscape
May 21	Competition and Financial Tool
May 28	Go-to-Market Plan, Pitch Decks
June 4	Idea Test Lab – BlueTech/ClimateTech Demo Day