In this stage, we can help you sort through your ideas and figure out which to start pursuing. Don’t yet have an idea and aren’t sure if entrepreneurship is for you? No problem. If you’re interested in design-thinking and problem solving, the i-lab is a great place to further your learning and foster community — you might even decide to join a team or venture that speaks to you. In this stage, you should check out the following resources:

Explore Workshops

Learn about idea evaluation, design thinking, and how to find a great teammate.

Founder + Joiner Mixers

Meet founders who are looking for students like you to join their teams.

Industry Networking Events

Mingle with like-minded explorers and founders.

Slack Job Board

Join our Slack workspace for Student i-lab members to introduce yourself and let others know what you’re interested in.

Test teams are at the idea stage and are focused on defining their offering or exploring customer validation via user interviews, demand validation, and/or product testing.

Resources in the Test stage support innovators who have an idea for a venture — whether it lives in the mind, is scrawled on a napkin, or has already begun to take shape. In this stage, if you’re early on, we’ll help you with consumer research, competitive analysis, customer outreach, and building your prototype. If you’re a little further along and are already working to refine your product or offering, we can connect you with customer-discovery workshops, consumer surveying, expert mentors, and funding opportunities to help you continue iterating on your path to success. In this stage, you should check out:

Test Workshops

Explore demand validation, customer interviews, no-code MVP (minimum viable product), and more.

Subcommunities

Join a subcommunity of like-minded founders with similar identities, backgrounds, or interests.

Spark Grants

Apply for $1,000 grants to put toward demand validation for your idea.

Resources in the Propel stage support innovators who have landed more than a few customers, are building revenue, or have just received that first significant infusion of capital from donors or investors. In this stage, you need to figure out how to accelerate growth, find more customers, expand your team, and grow your venture. The i-lab is here to support with meeting spaces and dedicated mentors.

Mentorship

Attend Mentor Match to be paired up with a mentor who, through regular meetings and guidance, will support your venture on its progress and unique venture goals and needs.

Pitch practice

We offer a number of workshops to help you practice and refine your pitch.

1:1 Advisor Support

Our staff advisors are eager to meet you and learn more about how they can best support you.

Funding Opportunities

You can qualify for specific funds such as the Allston Venture Fund and the Social Impact Fellowship Fund, as well as the President’s Innovation Challenge. You will receive pitch preparation and support from real-world experts, funders, and staff to help you successfully raise capital.