We are pleased to announce the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship's "Impact Innovation Hub Pilot Program"

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 - 2023 Impact Innovation Hub Cohort. 3 - 5 Drexel undergraduate and/or graduate students may apply now to participate in a September - May program that includes educational opportunities, incubator space, access to mentors, a stipend at the start of the program and seed money upon the successful completion of the program.

Apply Here

Judging Criteria Cohort members will be selected based on the following:

Does their idea/innovation tackle one or more of the following 17 Sustainable Development Goals? (These goals were developed with the belief that ending poverty and other deprivations is dependent upon the improvement of health and education, the reduction of inequality, the growth of the economy, the preservation of the environment, and the tackling of climate change.)

Sustainable Development Goals

Can the applicant commit to attending the 1 - 2 hours per week of instruction through The Impact Entrepreneurs Bootcamp?

Will the applicant benefit significantly from this program?

Schedule and Details

• A call for applications to become a Cohort member of the Impact Innovation Hub will open at the start of Spring Term 2022, and close at the end of Summer Term 2022. The selected applicants will then start the program at the beginning of the Fall Term 2022.
• Cohort members will complete at least six weeks of guided education - “The Impact Entrepreneurs Bootcamp” – which will consist of 1 to 2 hours per week of educational seminars and hands-on workshops with Entrepreneurs in Residence, Professors, and Guest Speakers. Instruction will include a focus on metrics: cohort members will learn how to establish actionable and measurable metrics that drive successful decision making.
• A committee of industry experts (entrepreneurs and executives working in the sustainability field) will serve as mentors/coaches to the cohort members. Cohort members will have access to all the resources of The Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship including workspace, community, networking opportunities, and expert advice. Cohort members will be offered continued incubator space in The Baiada Institute for at least one year after the successful completion of their cohort.
• At the end of the Fall Term 2022, cohort members will be asked to present a mid-program update on their learnings, progress and plans for the Winter Term 2023. We will provide continued mentorship and check-in opportunities for cohort members during this time.
• Cohort members will be awarded a stipend ($12,500 to be shared by cohort members) at the beginning of the program that will reimburse pre-approved expenses related to their projects and for expenses such as memberships in related professional organizations and conferences. Cohort members will be given additional seed money (another $12,500 to be shared by cohort members) to continue growing their venture at end of the program only after completing and meeting established benchmarks.
• In the Spring of 2023, Cohort members will present their ventures and tell the story of their evolution and progress over the course of the program at a special event/reception.
• Presentations will include:
  • the results of any market testing
  • metrics
  • pivots to their original idea
  • wins and setbacks
  • their plans for the development of their idea/innovation at the conclusion of the program