{"id":10541,"date":"2024-07-18T09:57:17","date_gmt":"2024-07-18T13:57:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/?page_id=10541"},"modified":"2025-09-05T09:20:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T13:20:58","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>At Innovate@BU, we turn ideas into impact.<\/h2>\n<p>In a rapidly evolving world, the ability to innovate isn&#8217;t just an asset\u2014it&#8217;s critical. We&#8217;re on a mission to empower every Boston University student (not just business majors!) with an entrepreneurial mindset and the innovative skills to not only see things where others don\u2019t, but turn visions into reality.<\/p>\n<p>From first-year undergraduates to doctoral candidates, Terriers across all disciplines can access our resources, funding, and mentorship to transform challenges into opportunities and enhance their career readiness.<\/p>\n<p><b>Innovation HQ: IDG Capital Student Innovation Center<\/b><br \/>\nIf you\u2019re looking for a bright, comfortable place to work on your idea, come by our headquarters, the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center, at 730 Commonwealth Ave., across from Marsh Chapel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Our Hours<\/strong><br \/>\n<p><strong>Summer Hours<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Monday - Friday<br \/>\n9:00 AM - 5:00 PM<\/p>\n<p>Closed weekends.<\/p>\n<p>Closed Memorial Day (5\/25), Juneteenth (6\/19), and Independence Day observed (7\/3)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>Get event invites, internship and funding information, and more!<\/h4>\n<p><a class=\"text-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/resources\/newsletter-subscribe\/\">Sign up for our weekly newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>What will you do with Innovate@BU?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"col-md-12\">\n<div class=\"col-md-3\" style=\"text-align: center; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc;\"><strong>Transform challenges into opportunities<\/strong><br \/>\nDevelop innovative thinking skills and an entrepreneurial mindset through our programs and events.<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-3\" style=\"text-align: center; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc;\"><strong>Navigate tough situations<\/strong><br \/>\nFlex your leadership skills by making hard decisions and keeping cool under pressure by founding a venture or creating a community project.<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-3\" style=\"text-align: center; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc;\"><strong>Work together to solve hard problems<\/strong><br \/>\nNetwork and work with a co-founder or cross-discipline team to round out your skill set and gain new perspectives.<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-md-3\" style=\"text-align: center; padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #ccc;\"><strong>Get back up again (and again and again)<\/strong><br \/>\nBecome a resilient leader unafraid of being told no.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>Explore programs and competitions for every Terrier.<\/h4>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re just curious about the world of entrepreneurship or already deep into your own venture, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/programs-competitions\/\">free extracurricular programs and competitions<\/a> are designed to meet you where you are.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"text-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/start-here\/\">Get help finding the right programs for you<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Hop on the bandwagon and declare one of the most popular minors on campus.<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Our Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship minor is one of the five most popular on campus.<\/strong> Why? Because it isn\u2019t just for aspiring startup founders\u2014it\u2019s for anyone who wants to make a change in the world.<\/p>\n<p>Open to all undergraduates, our minor equips students with the skills and mindset needed to make an impact in any field, including how to identify unmet needs, lead creative ideation, and collaborate effectively, just to name a few.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"text-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/academics\/innovation-entrepreneurship-minor\/\">Learn more and see which courses count toward the minor<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Have fun (and learn!) at our free events and networking opportunities.<\/h4>\n<p>We host dozens of free, fun events every year at our campus headquarters, the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center at 730 Commonwealth Ave., designed to help students learn new skills, connect with peers and industry experts, and get inspired by new ideas. Events include workshops, networking sessions, guest speaker talks, competitions, and more.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"text-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/events\/\">Explore our upcoming events<\/a><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"annual-reports\">Annual Reports<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/files\/2025\/09\/2024-25-Annual-Report-Web.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2024-2025<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/files\/2025\/01\/2023-24-Innovate_at_BU-Annual-Report-for-Web-v2.pdf\">2023-2024<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/innovatebu\/docs\/2022-23_innovate_bu_annual_report_for_issuu\">2022-2023<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/innovatebu\/docs\/2021-22_innovate_bu_annual_report_v2\">2021-2022<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/innovatebu\/docs\/annual_report_2020-2021_final_for_issuu\">2020-2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/innovatebu\/docs\/innovate_bu_annual_report_2019_2020\">2019-2020<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/innovatebu\/docs\/innovatebu_annual_report_2018_2019\">2018-2019<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/innovatebu\/docs\/annual_review_2018_final_8.15\">2017-2018<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>FAQs<\/h4>\n<p><div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I get started with Innovate@BU?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nIf you&#8217;re new and have no idea, start with the Idea Incubator to come up with a viable idea that you&#8217;re passionate about. If you&#8217;re already working on an idea, the Innovation Pathway or Project Action can provide structured support and resources.<\/p>\n<p>Find more recommendations on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/start-here\/\">Start Here page &gt;<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Who can participate in Innovate@BU programs?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nAll BU students, regardless of their major or year of study, are welcome to participate in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/programs-competitions\/\">Innovate@BU&#8217;s extracurricular programs<\/a>. Whether you&#8217;re a student new to innovation, have an idea you want help with, or are already developing a venture, we have programs for you!<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Does Innovate@BU serve BU faculty and staff?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nWhile faculty and staff are welcome to attend public events, they are not eligible to participate in programming or receive funding unless they are pursuing a degree at BU concurrently.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">I'm not a business major, can I still participate?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nAbsolutely! Innovate@BU is open to all BU students, regardless of their major. We believe that innovation and entrepreneurship skills are necessary to succeed across all disciplines, and we encourage students from every field to participate.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What types of programs and resources does Innovate@BU offer?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nWe provide a variety of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/programs-competitions\/\">extracurricular programs<\/a>, funding opportunities, mentorship, and resources to help students develop their problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial mindset.<\/p>\n<p>Explore our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/start-here\/\">Start Here page for recommendations. &gt;<\/a><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What kind of events does Innovate@BU host and how can I get involved?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/events\/\">We host dozens of engaging, free events at the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center every year<\/a>. These events include workshops, networking sessions, guest speaker talks, and competitions. To get involved, simply sign up for the events that interest you!<\/p>\n<p>Plus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/resources\/newsletter-subscribe\/\">sign up for our weekly newsletter<\/a> to get event invitations, funding opportunities, and more. &gt;<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Where is Innovate@BU located?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nYou can find us at 730 Commonwealth Ave., to the left of Pavement Coffeehouse and across the street from Marsh Plaza. Come by any time we&#8217;re open to study and work on your venture.<br \/>\nHours<br \/>\n<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What kind of support can I expect from Innovate@BU?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nWe offer mentorship, funding opportunities, workshops, and access to a network of industry experts. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/programs-competitions\/\">programs<\/a> are designed to guide you from the initial idea stage to the launch and scaling of your venture.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h6 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How can I stay updated on Innovate@BU events and opportunities?<\/h6><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/resources\/newsletter-subscribe\/\">Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a>, follow us on social media, and regularly check our website for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/about\/news-stories\/\">news<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/events\/\">upcoming events<\/a>. We post frequent updates about new opportunities and programs.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<h4>Get in Touch<\/h4>\n<p><a class=\"text-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/about\/contact-us\/\">Visit our contact page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Innovate@BU, we turn ideas into impact. In a rapidly evolving world, the ability to innovate isn&#8217;t just an asset\u2014it&#8217;s critical. We&#8217;re on a mission to empower every Boston University student (not just business majors!) with an entrepreneurial mindset and the innovative skills to not only see things where others don\u2019t, but turn visions into [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1301,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":13,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10541"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10541"}],"version-history":[{"count":45,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10541\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16025,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10541\/revisions\/16025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10541"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}