October 2–30, 2023
Earn a resume-boosting Innovative Thinking Badge through participation in a five-week hybrid learning experience. Learn innovation skills and entrepreneurship thinking, regardless of your field. Everyone is qualified to join, even if you don’t have a business idea yet!
New content drops on Canvas every Monday, starting October 2. Live/hybrid workshops hosted every Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Time commitment: Approx. 2.5 hours per week.
Register for Innovation On-Ramp
Week-by-Week Details
October 2: Picking a Problem
Wednesday, October 4 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Merle Price Commons (Cranberry Creek)
or Attend Online
Session Leader: David Richter-O'Connell, School of Art & Design
October 9: Evaluating an Innovative Solution
Wednesday, October 11 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Merle Price Commons (Cranberry Creek)
or Attend Online
Session Leaders:
- Mary Spaeth, School of Management
- Ron Thacker, Mayo Clinic
October 16: Identifying Your Target Market
Wednesday, October 18 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Merle Price Commons (Elk Creek)
or Attend Online
Session Leaders: Scot Vaver & Pam Vaver, School of Management
October 23: Meeting with Mentors
Wednesday, October 25 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual Statewide Event (Link in Canvas Course)
Session Leaders: Various Mentors from Across Wisconsin
October 30: Practicing Your Pitch
Wednesday, November 1 | 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Merle Price Commons (Cranberry Creek)
or Attend Online
Session Leaders:
- Harlie Juedes, Wisconsin Small Business Center
- Ron Thacker, Mayo Clinic
- Richard A. Schutta, Department of English, Philosophy & Communications Studies
November 15: Pitch Celebration & Competition
All participants are encouraged to attend.
Time: 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: TBD
Alternative Avenues to the Big Idea Tournament
UW-Stout's Ideation Jam
March 1-3, 2024
Do you have a big idea but can't find the time to commit fully to the WiSys's Innovation On-Ramp? Join us at the UW-Stout Ideation Jam and prepare to pitch at a WiSys Big Idea Tournament pre-qualifying event.
March 3, 2024 (Pre-qualifying Event)
The WiSys Big Idea Tournament is an entrepreneurship competition open to undergraduate and graduate students attending University of Wisconsin System schools across the state (except UW-Madison). The competition teaches cutting-edge lean startup business development tools, provides business mentorship, and allows participants to compete at a state level for a chance to win seed funding for their idea.