{"id":10780,"date":"2024-08-08T10:35:50","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T14:35:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/?page_id=10780"},"modified":"2026-01-13T08:30:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T13:30:56","slug":"details","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/innovate\/programs-competitions\/innovation-pathway\/details\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Pathway Details"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Innovation Pathway is Boston University\u2019s comprehensive entrepreneurship program for building scalable, innovation-driven ventures. It will guide you from initial idea validation through venture launch. Whether you\u2019re exploring a business concept, social innovation, or nonprofit initiative, we provide the structure, funding, and support to help you succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Three Stages of the Pathway<\/h3>\n

You enter the program once you\u2019ve identified and validated a sizable, important problem or opportunity that you\u2019re passionate about. Once accepted, you\u2019ll follow the Innovation Pathway\u2019s \u201cstage-gate\u201d model, where you advance to another stage once you\u2019ve achieved specific milestones. <\/span><\/p>\n

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1) Walk \"icon\"<\/h5>\n

You\u2019ll start in the Walk stage<\/strong>. Here, you\u2019re finding problem\/solution fit by exploring potential solutions to a problem, and experimenting to find which is most effective. This typically takes 2-4 months, during which you\u2019ll work with Founders-in-Residence (FiR) for guidance. Your goal is a validated solution and deep knowledge of the stakeholders and segments who need it most. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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2) Run \"icon\"<\/h5>\n

Once you\u2019ve developed and validated a solution that effectively addresses the opportunity, you\u2019ll advance to the Run stage<\/strong>, where you\u2019ll build a launchable version of the solution, and define the strategies you’ll need to build a venture to deliver it to market. Here, you\u2019re matched with an expert coach in your industry who helps you develop a business model and go-to-market strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3) Fly \"icon\"<\/h5>\n

Finally, in the Fly stage<\/strong>, you launch and grow your venture. This is an ongoing phase where you get traction with real customers, supported by continued coaching and an expanded mentor network. Your goal is to generate revenue and create sustainable impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Entry Requirements<\/h3>\n

Who Can Apply?<\/h4>\n

The Pathway welcomes all BU students, from undergraduates through PhD candidates across all schools and colleges. Recent BU alumni who graduated within the last year are also eligible. You can apply<\/a> as an individual founder or with a team, as long as at least one member is affiliated with BU. We support both for-profit and nonprofit ventures, and international students are very welcome.<\/p>\n

Preparing Your Application<\/h4>\n

To enter the Walk stage, you need to demonstrate that you\u2019ve identified and validated a large problem\/opportunity that you\u2019re passionate about. We\u2019ve created a comprehensive 4-step guide to help you prepare a strong application.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step-1: Problem Validation<\/strong>
\nYou\u2019ll conduct customer discovery interviews by speaking with stakeholders\u2014not just with friends, but with people who actually experience the problem you\u2019re trying to solve. Through these conversations, you\u2019ll develop a clear problem statement that captures real frustration, and document evidence of people actively seeking better solutions. Our validation guide shows you exactly what questions to ask and how to identify genuine demand versus polite interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Step 1 ><\/a><\/p>\n

Step-2: Understanding the Alternatives<\/b><\/strong>
\nYou\u2019ll listen to stakeholders to understand how they attempt to solve the problem today, and why those approaches don\u2019t work and leave them frustrated. You\u2019re not yet comparing your solution to others because in most cases, you won\u2019t have developed a solution yet. Our landscape guide helps you uncover gaps in the market and understand where opportunities lie.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Step 2 ><\/a><\/p>\n

Step-3: Opportunity Sizing<\/b><\/strong>
\nYou\u2019ll develop an understanding of how many people experience this problem, how frequently it occurs, and how severely it impacts them. Our opportunity sizing guide gives you a clear methodology to <\/span>demonstrate the scale of the opportunity – which is essential w<\/span>hether you\u2019re building a for-profit or nonprofit venture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Step 3 ><\/a><\/p>\n

Step-4: Prepping for the Pitch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using our proven 10-slide framework, you\u2019ll create a compelling presentation that weaves together your validated problem, competitive landscape, and market opportunity. The pitch guide includes common Q&A questions and tips for building confidence through preparation and evidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most successful applicants spend 2-4 weeks working through these steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Step 4 ><\/a><\/p>\n

Application Process<\/h3>\n

Start by working through our four-step preparation guide (above) to get your idea and pitch deck in tip-top shape. Each step builds on the previous one, taking you from initial problem validation through customer interviews to mapping existing solutions, sizing your market opportunity, and finally building your pitch using our proven template.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve completed your preparation, <\/span>submit your application<\/span><\/a> with your validated opportunity. You\u2019ll meet with a FiR who will give you feedback on your pitch and assess the strength of your application. After your FiR meeting, you can book an application interview slot (application interviews happen at least once per month throughout the academic year), where you\u2019ll present your 10-minute pitch to the panel and answer questions about the opportunity. Within a week of your interview, you\u2019ll receive a decision along with detailed feedback to help you improve. Interview slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend submitting your application early to ensure you can have your FiR review and guarantee an interview.<\/span><\/p>\n

Application interviews happen every month. Dates for the 2025-26 academic year will be released soon.<\/p>\n

Advancing Through the Stages<\/h4>\n

Moving between stages requires demonstrating specific achievements through a structured process. To advance to Run or to Fly, you’ll prepare with a FiR or your assigned coach to assess your readiness. Then you’ll deliver a 10-minute pitch presentation to an investment panel, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A where you’ll receive questions and feedback. Within a week, you’ll receive an advancement decision along with detailed feedback to help you improve.<\/p>\n

Investment panels occur monthly, giving you regular opportunities to advance when you’re ready. There’s no pressure to rush\u2014you move at the pace that makes sense for your venture.<\/p>\n

Program Benefits<\/h3>\n

Financial Support<\/strong>
\nAs you progress through the stages, you’ll unlock funding to support your venture development. When you advance from Walk to Run, you receive $1,500 to develop your solution. Moving from Run to Fly unlocks another $3,000 to launch your venture. This funding comes as non-dilutive grants\u2014we don’t take any equity in your venture.<\/p>\n

Personalized Mentorship<\/strong>
\nThe program connects you with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide personalized guidance. In the Walk stage, Founders-in-Residence\u2014successful entrepreneurs who’ve been through the journey themselves\u2014help you navigate early validation. As you progress to Run and Fly stages, you’re matched with expert coaches specific to your industry or venture type. You’ll also have regular access to Innovate@BU staff and external experts through office hours, plus connection to a community of over 100 fellow student entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

Important Considerations<\/h3>\n

Academic Integration<\/strong>
\nWhile the Innovation Pathway provides valuable experience and funding, it doesn’t offer course credit. However, you can participate in the program while taking entrepreneurship courses. The key restriction is that you cannot receive Pathway funding while simultaneously earning course credit for the same project. You can still work through the Walk stage deliverables while in a course, but you’ll need to wait until the course ends before pitching for Run stage funding.<\/p>\n

Intellectual Property<\/strong>
\nYou retain full ownership of your ideas and ventures developed through the Innovation Pathway. We don’t require any confidentiality agreements for participation, though we recommend consulting the BU Law Clinic if you have specific questions about IP protection, patents, or other legal considerations.<\/p>\n

Time Investment<\/strong>
\nExpect to dedicate 5-10 hours per week to working on your venture, including regular meetings with your FiR or coach (typically biweekly). The program is self-paced\u2014there’s no fixed timeline for completion, and you advance when you’ve achieved the necessary milestones. Some teams move quickly through stages, while others take more time to thoroughly validate and develop their ideas.<\/p>\n

Venture Types We Support<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Innovation Pathway is designed to help students develop innovative, scalable ventures, and it adapts to support different venture types and impact models. For-profit startups receive guidance on customer acquisition, revenue models, and scaling strategies. Social ventures get specialised support for impact measurement, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability planning. Nonprofit initiatives learn about funding sources, donor development, mission alignment, and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ready to Start Your Journey?<\/h3>\n

Here’s a quick way to assess if you’re ready:<\/p>\n