The TIA Incubator is composed of ambitious student entrepreneurs who walk in with ventures in various stages, ready to dive into the business world headfirst. However, the program also fosters a space for the underdogs of E&I: the Idea Squad. The Idea Squad is made up of students who want to dip their toes into the entrepreneurial pond, yet don’t have a clear starting point. Some want to be involved in TIA but don’t want to start their own venture, others come in with an idea but need help evolving it into a business model. At the first Incubator session in September, the enthusiasm within the Idea Squad was palpable.
Entrepreneur In Residence Jen Martin and TIA Program Specialist/Lead Peer Mentor Geordie Waldman ’27 led the Idea Squad during the innovator breakout sessions. Outlining the activities of the workshop, Martin said, “We ran a fun mock venture-building exercise. Students were split into two teams and asked to come up with a business idea. We then guided them through how to create a clear problem statement, build a business model, and craft and deliver a compelling pitch. Throughout the session, we discussed how to differentiate a product, communicate value effectively, and develop a creative, customer-focused solution.” The first Idea Squad collaboration was a great introduction to developing a business concept.
The group came up with a couple of fantastic venture ideas that would fit in with the TIA program spectacularly. Martin noted the two potential business concepts:
- Solar Boombox Cooler — A multifunctional, solar-powered cooler that also serves as a speaker and charging hub. It’s designed to “keep the vibes going wherever you are by combining music, refreshments, and energy independence in one portable product.”
- Cookie Experience in Hamilton — A cookie company that pairs with coffee shops to offer an elevated, destination-style experience for environmentally conscious and experience-driven customers. The business would “partner with different bakeries, chefs, and ingredient suppliers to feature unique cookies with recipes from around the world, paired with coffee, creating a destination students want to visit regularly in isolated college towns.”
From the zeal of the Idea Squad participants, this time next year, we may see Martin and Waldman at the kickoff Incubator session with a Solar Boombox Cooler in one hand and a cookie in the other.
The six Idea Squad members in attendance felt that their time spent in the Incubator was informative and relevant to their stage of business development. One member of the group, Rose Soe ’29, said of the session: “I feel like it’s a nice and appropriate introduction into entrepreneurship. I think they got the basics down — and a lot of stuff that I did not know prior. I think it really allowed me to understand all of these components and put me in a good place to start, and maybe develop my own ideas.” Fellow squad member Ernest Clottery ’26 built on Soe’s sentiments, saying, “The session laid a basic foundation where it got me thinking about if I wanted to do this, how to go about it, and if it’s even relevant in the first place.” These future student entrepreneurs are well prepared to take the next step in the world of entrepreneurship.
For Liz Manly ’27, the process is more important than the outcome; she doesn’t necessarily want to start her own venture. “[This session] fostered an environment of being entrepreneurial and getting in that mindset, which I appreciate,” she said. “I’m not necessarily interested in starting my own venture. If it somehow happens from the process of being here, that’s great, but I’m more imagining myself in a supporting role in various ventures.” The Idea Squad allows students with different aspirations to share their own innovative ideas.
Overall, the first Idea Squad workshop was a success, according to Martin.
“The students were super creative and collaborative,” she said. “They were really enthusiastic and totally engaged, which made the session so fun. They were thoughtful, open to feedback, and genuinely excited to keep refining and improving their ideas.”
The Idea Squad is destined for great things, and everyone in TIA is excited to see how they will make their way in the world of entrepreneurship and innovation.