Innovation Foundry
The Innovation Foundry is a hands-on technical assistance program that pairs established small businesses with UW-Oshkosh student innovation teams to take a new idea from concept to launch-ready plan in just 8 weeks. It’s a partnership of UW-Oshkosh, the Small Business Development Center, the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce.
Each week, business owners attend a 2-hour facilitated workshop where they build real deliverables — not sit through lectures. Between sessions, a dedicated student works 8–10 hours per week embedded in your business, handling market research, AI-powered analysis, digital marketing, and design work. You also complete 2–3 hours of guided outside activities that apply classroom learning directly to your business.
By the end of the program, you walk away with an Innovation Blueprint & Action Plan: validated business model, financial projections, marketing strategy, pitch deck, and a launch-ready implementation plan. The kind of document you’d hand to a banker, investor, or partner.
What Makes Innovation Foundry Different
| You Build, Not Listen | Every session produces a tangible deliverable for your business. No PowerPoint lectures. You leave each week with real work product. |
| AI-Powered Tools | Learn to use ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools for market research, competitive analysis, financial planning, and marketing. |
| Dedicated Student Team | A UW-Oshkosh student works 8–10 hours per week embedded in your business, handling research, content creation, data analysis, and digital projects. |
| Complete Business Portfolio | Leave with a professional document: market validation, business model, financials, marketing plan, pitch deck, and implementation roadmap. |
| Expert Mentorship | Weekly guidance from UW-Oshkosh faculty, SBDC at UW-Oshkosh, Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, advisors, GOEDC, and industry experts who know the market. |
| Peer Network | Join a cohort of 10 growth-minded business owners. Learn from each other. Build connections that last beyond the program. |
| Office Space at UW-Oshkosh | Opportunity to use office space at UW-Oshkosh during the program for you and your business. |
Is this Program Right for You?
Innovation Foundry is designed for new and existing businesses ready to grow. Whether you’ve been sitting on a half-formed idea, know you need to diversify but aren’t sure where to start, or simply want to explore what’s next, this program gives you the structure, tools, and support to develop a new product or service from scratch.
This is for you if:
- You want to develop a new product, service, or revenue stream, whether you have a half-formed idea or are starting completely from scratch
- You want to learn how AI tools can help you discover opportunities and give your business a competitive edge
- You’re ready to invest 4–5 hours per week for 8 weeks to build something real
- You want access to university-grade research and student talent at no cost
What You will Build Over 8 Weeks
| Weeks 1-2 | Discover Your Opportunity | Clearly defined innovation opportunity, SWOT analysis, customer personas, competitive analysis, customer journey map |
| Weeks 3-4 | Design & Test | Business Model Canvas, feasibility assessment, MVP pilot plan, prototype, and real-world validation results |
| Weeks 5-6 | Plan & Market | Financial projections, operational plan, go-to-market strategy, marketing calendar, and real marketing assets you can use immediately |
| Weeks 7-8 | Pitch & Launch | Executive one-pager, pitch deck, stakeholder communication plan, implementation timeline, KPI dashboard, and showcase presentation |
IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Period: Rolling
Cohort 1 Spring 2026: Wednesdays 8:00-10:00 am at UW-Oshkosh; March 25- May 13 (8 Weeks)
Cohort 2 Summer 2026: Wednesdays 8:00-12:00 pm at UW-Oshkosh; Jun 17 & 24, July 8 and 15 (4 Sessions). No meeting on 7/1
Cohort 3 Fall 1 2026: TBD
Cohort 4 Fall 2 2026: TBD
Eligibility
- All industries welcome: manufacturing, professional services, retail, food service, construction, technology, healthcare, and more
- Must be able to commit to attending all 8 weekly sessions and completing outside activities
- Prior Innovation Foundry participants may apply with a different innovation project
Time Commitment
- In-Class Workshops (2 hours/week): Facilitated exercises with peers, AI tool practice, and real-time deliverable building
- Outside Activities (2–3 hours/week): Independent work applying what you learned in class directly to your business
- Student Associate Support (8–10 hours/week — their time, not yours): A dedicated UW-Oshkosh student handles research, digital work, and analysis between sessions
⏱ Total Investment: 4–5 hours per week for 8 weeks — manageable alongside running your business
$0 Cost
No cost to qualifying businesses. The Innovation Foundry is funded through a partnership of UW-Oshkosh, the SBDC, the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation, and the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce. There are no tuition fees, materials fees, or hidden costs.
Program Supported by:
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