CSPL 239 – Startup Incubator: The Art and Science of Launching Your Idea

The Startup Incubator is a one-semester, experiential learning program designed to teach and enable student entrepreneurs to develop sustainable business models from their ideas. The program will bring together an ambitious, committed, and diverse group of individuals from all classes and majors who are passionate about developing successful solutions to challenges; identify as entrepreneurs, disruptors, and thought leaders; and have the tenacity, work ethic, and ability to succeed. All participating students should have a promising business idea and take the course with the intention of launching or running their own venture. Student Incubator students actively participate in one cohort meeting a week: most are “classes” that take the form of lectures or workshops, and some are “practice days” that provide time to practice theories and methods necessary for success. Students also dedicate at least 10 additional hours per week to assignments, self-directed work, customer discovery, networking, and mentoring sessions. This course will feel like a combination of a college class and a rigorous startup incubator program. Success is a student using theories learned in class to validate their ideas by developing and accurately testing business assumptions, identifying and researching their target market, and pivoting to develop a sustainable business model. By enrolling, students make a commitment to themselves, the instructor, and the other members of the class. Note: This course is offered by the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship (wesleyan.edu/patricelli/) in partnership with the MEWS+ (themewsplus.co/)