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 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.
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 (will be held at the of the fourth week). 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
- Identify value proposition
- Cohort experience – joining a cohort allows you to learn from experiences of other entrepreneurs and share challenges
- Post-program support
WOMEN IN TECH/ FEMALE FOUNDERS applications accepted until Feb. 28th, 2025
BLUETECH/CLIMATE-TECH applications accepted until April 25th, 2025
Women in Tech/Female Founders Cohort
| When |
Session |
| March 12th |
First Session |
| March 19th |
Second Session |
| March 26th |
Third Session |
| April 2nd |
Fourth and Final Session |
| April 9th |
Idea Test Lab – Women in Tech/Female Founders Demo Day |
*Wednesdays from 2-5pm
BlueTech/ClimateTech Cohort
| When |
Session |
| May 7th |
First Session |
| May 14th |
Second Session |
| May 21st |
Third Session |
| May 28th |
Fourth and Final Session |
| June 4th |
Idea Test Lab – BlueTech/ClimateTech Demo Day |
*Wednesdays from 2-5pm
