Get to know your fellow classmates of the Class of 2021 by engaging in the new student Entrepreneur Challenge to launch new ideas into the marketplace. This summer, you will have the opportunity to work in the Clarkson on-line community to get inspired; work with others with diverse interests and backgrounds to identify and begin the design process of a new product, service or process that has great potential to transform our daily lives. 

The purpose of this challenge is to teach students to think creatively and entrepreneurial through coming up with new products and services. We’ll help you define a “design project”, assemble a team and solve the design challenge in a fun, interactive, virtual way.  Once you arrive on campus, we’ll help you take the ideas you create to the next level! With CU resources such as office space to work in, startup experts available to you for guidance, prototyping, and financial resources, you’ll have all the help you need. The best part? You own 100% of the idea!

Prizes will be awarded to teams as the complete each phase of the process described below. At the end of the challenge, a grand prize will be awarded during Global Entrepreneurship Week to help the team with the best idea move forward.

Examples of past projects:

  • Improving the strength and design of pointe shoes to maximize comfort and durability
  • Reducing noise in home appliances like blenders and power tools without compromising functionality
  • Technology to regulate the humidity in instrument cases without having to constantly check on them
  • Improved system for airport baggage claim

Can’t think of an idea? Send us an email and we will find a way for you to get involved with a Clarkson project. 

In order to participate in the challenge, all students must express interest in the program by July 3rd by emailing rehcenter@clarkson.edu

Timeframe

June 19 – July 2: Discovery - What Can We Change?

Inspiration comes from understanding people’s needs and motivation. What problems or challenges do people face? What data is out there that we can observe and draw insights from that help inspire us to look at the world and what it needs in new ways?

Be pro-active and observe the world around you. Look at how people work, live, and play. What frustrates and/or excites people? What problems or barriers do you notice when you go to the store, the park, the dry cleaner, your home, school, at your part-time job? Draw insights from the data you see, feel, and experience. Think about how people can do this better? More efficiently? Greener? More inexpensive? With more effective approaches? Regardless of your intended major, passions and/or interests, you have the ability to imagine and create new solutions for the future. All you need is a bit of inspiration. 

Take pictures and caption them with why this product, process, or system needs updating and email them to rehcenter@clarkson.edu along with your intent to participate. These ideas do NOT need to be your final pick. Don’t have an idea yet? You can still express your interest to participate to the same email address. Can’t think of an idea? No worries! Reach out to us and we can help you find one!

July 3 – July 16: How Can We Change It?

Think about the information you gathered during the discovery phase and how it could become a reality.

Transform the data and insights you gained into new opportunities. This stage is known as ideation. What new opportunities do you see for a new solution? Who would utilize it? Is it a completely new service or product? Is there anyone else out there doing something similar?  Begin brainstorming a solution and develop an idea that you can later test out.  What do people want?  What is technically and/or organizationally workable?  What is financially possible? 

Submit these notes to rehcenter@clarkson.edu and discuss it on the Clarkson Class of 2021 Facebook Page!

July 17 – July 30: Who will Change It?

During Phase 2 of the project, you'll form teams of 3-5 students from the class of 2021. Be sure that your team has students from multiple majors (at least 3 different majors must be represented - not just two types of engineering, either)!

We'll post all of the team names along with teammember names and the project they are tackling!

July 31 - Move In Day: Will It Work?

Now it's time to test the ideas and see if they are desirable, feasible, and viable.

Once you are on campus, we’ll provide an environment to help you improve your projects further, develop prototypes, and move them closer to actual implementation.  You'll get assigned to a mentor in the MBA program that will help you work through the process and continue to develop your new business or product with their help and the help of other campus resources.  Remember, these ideas and businesses are 100% owned by you and your team – we are just here to try to help you be successful in your entrepreneurial journey.