Turn Your Idea into Impact as a Product, Service or Startup
All Discovery to Product training programs are free and open to UW–Madison faculty, staff and students and affiliate organizations.
Startup Foundations: From Problems to Possibilities
Join us for a three-part workshop series designed for UW–Madison researchers, faculty, students, and staff who want to explore entrepreneurship. This series is designed as a practical on-ramp for innovators at any stage, offering a hands-on way to build foundational skills and identify projects that may benefit from deeper D2P support.
Using your own idea, you’ll learn how to define the problem you are solving, uncover customer insights through interviews, and craft a compelling value proposition. Each session stands alone — attend one or join all three to build your skills and confidence in moving ideas from concept to impact. Learn more »
Innovation to Market is an eight-week program for UW–Madison innovators to explore the market viability of a technology, device, app, consumer product or social impact solution. It’s for early-stage innovators who want to assess or improve “problem-solution fit,” the foundation of success for any startup, technology commercialization or social impact enterprise. The program introduces you to the Lean Launchpad approach and Business Model Canvas, focusing on customer and stakeholder discovery and product-market fit. You’ll develop customer insights, hone your value proposition, and chart a pathway to impact for your innovation. Learn more »
I3-Ideas, Insights, Impact is a six-week program for postdocs and graduate students. Whether your audience is grant reviewers, journal editors, or job search committees, you’ll need them to see the potential impact of your work in order to succeed. Learn new skills to address your market risk and increase the impact of your work in academia, industry, or wherever your career takes you. Learn more »
Igniter is an intensive program for innovators committed to bringing a technology, device, app, consumer product or social impact solution to market. It’s for innovators who have already taken their idea through a Lean LaunchPad program such as Innovation to Market (left) or I-Corps. Igniter will take you on a deep dive through the Business Model Canvas, where you’ll develop and test hypotheses related to desirability, feasibility, and viability as you work to reduce risk and create a roadmap to impact for your idea, discovery or invention. Participants can apply for up to $5,000 to test business model assumptions. Learn more »
Outreach programming
UW alumni founders share their entrepreneurial journeys, from natural pet food to healthcare AI and Gen Z talent. September 25, 2025
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Review past events including past Innovate Weeks, I-Corps info session, Demystifying the FDA Regulatory Path, and Department of Homeland Security innovation opportunities.
Read moreIndividualized guidance
Whether you are just getting started with an idea or well on your way to launch, campus innovators are invited to meet with our Innovation and Commercialization Specialists for free advice and guidance.
D2P supports the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps). The program accelerates the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded basic research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization.