UW-Stout’s Center for Innovation & Development helps your ideas take shape and take off. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an early‑stage startup, or a small business ready to explore something new, our team partners with you every step of the way. The process is collaborative, offering hands‑on support as you refine your concept, explore design options, build models and prototypes, and prepare for production and launch. With practical guidance, technical know‑how, and a genuine commitment to your success, we work alongside you to turn creativity into real‑world impact and help your business grow with confidence.
Services
Before you invest time or resources, it’s important to understand whether your idea is truly viable. The Center helps you explore and shape your concept with an objective, supportive approach. Our team conducts early‑stage assessments to identify strengths, challenges, and potential next steps—saving you time, money, and frustration down the road.
- Objective assessment of idea or product viability
- Early‑stage feedback to refine or redirect your concept
- Rapid market‑viability evaluation
- Guidance on next steps based on feasibility
- Connections to additional resources when the idea shows promise
Clear communication is essential when bringing a new idea to life and often, the best way to express your vision is through a tangible model or prototype. Center staff support you in transforming your idea into something others can see, understand, and get excited about.Support in communicating your idea through models, prototypes, or digital designs
- Access to the UW–Stout Digital Fabrication Lab after training
- Use of laser cutters, rapid‑prototyping machines, routers, mills, plasma cutters, and other digital fabrication tools
- Hands‑on creation of your own models and prototypes (You Make It)
- Full fabrication services completed by CID staff (We Make It)
- Conceptual model development for communicating non‑functional designs
- Functional prototype development, including multi‑iteration builds
- Materials, design, and manufacturing guidance to improve cost‑effectiveness
When you’re ready to move from idea to business, we help you navigate the commercialization process with clarity and confidence. Our process helps you strengthen four critical areas:
- Business Concept
- Customer Relations
- Operations
- Organization
Through UW–Stout’s Manufacturing Outreach Center and its established relationships across Wisconsin, we can connect you with experienced partners who understand your needs and can help bring your product to market efficiently. The Center uses established connections to support:
- Production needs
- Manufacturing support
- Marketing of products
- Guidance on intellectual property through WiSys Technology Foundation
- Referrals to additional providers when specialized expertise is needed
Cost
Because each project has different needs, costs vary based on the scope of work and support required. Contact us for a detailed, no obligation quote based on your needs and goals.