Innovation Foundry Student Entrepreneurship Consultants
The Innovation Foundry pairs UW-Oshkosh students with real small businesses working on real innovation projects. As a Student Entrepreneurship Consultant, you’ll be embedded in a local business for 8–10 hours per week, providing hands-on consulting support in market research, AI tools, digital marketing, financial analysis, and business strategy.
This isn’t a classroom simulation. You’ll work directly with business owners on projects that matter to their livelihood. Your research will inform real decisions. Your marketing materials will reach real customers. Your financial models will shape real investments. And you’ll build a professional portfolio that demonstrates consulting-grade work to future employers.
What You'll Do to Assist your Client
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Weeks 1–2 |
Research & Discovery: Conduct AI-powered trend analysis, compile industry reports, assist with SWOT data, help design customer interview guides, and run competitive analysis |
AI prompt engineering, market research, data analysis, survey design |
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Weeks 3–4 |
Testing & Prototyping: Research pricing benchmarks, build financial model templates, create landing page mockups or product prototypes, set up data collection tools |
Prototyping, financial modeling, web design, and data collection |
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Weeks 5–6 |
Marketing & Content: Create social media content calendars, design marketing materials in Canva, write email sequences, and conduct SEO keyword research |
Digital marketing, graphic design, copywriting, SEO, and AI content tools |
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Weeks 7–8 |
Pitch & Launch: Polish pitch deck visuals, create data visualizations, build KPI dashboards, finalize portfolio documents, support showcase presentation prep |
Data visualization, presentation design, project management, documentation |
What You Will Gain
| Real consulting experience | Work directly with a business owner on a project with real stakes — not a case study |
| AI Skills | Learn to use ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools for market research, competitive analysis, financial planning, and marketing. |
| Professional portfolio | Build a body of work (market research, financial models, marketing materials, pitch decks) that demonstrates your capabilities to employers |
| Paid position | Innovation Foundry Student Entrepreneurship Consultants are paid $18/hour for 8–10 hours per week |
| Academic credit | May qualify for internship or independent study credit (discuss with your advisor) |
| Mentorship | Work under the guidance of UW-Oshkosh faculty and SBDC professionals who will develop your skills throughout the program |
IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Period: Open
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
Commitment: 8–10 hours per week during the Cohort. Commit to 1 Cohort or all of them!
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled at UW-Oshkosh
- Open to students from any major
- Sophomore standing or above preferred (some exceptions for strong freshmen)
- Must be available for 8–10 hours per week for the full 8-week program duration
- Interest in entrepreneurship, small business, AI tools, or consulting but not required
- Prior work experience, internships, or relevant coursework is a plus
How Different from Typical Internship
- Full-spectrum consulting: research, strategy, marketing, finance, design
- Your work directly shapes a new product or service launch
- Work alongside a business owner as a consulting partner
- AI tools are integrated into every week of your work
- Tangible portfolio of deliverables you built for a real business
- Business owners, SBDC advisors, UW-Oshkosh faculty, community leaders
Program Supported by:
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