Washington State University’s Center for Innovation makes technical assistance and business research resources available to individuals, businesses and economic developers in the communities we serve, in addition to WSU employees and students.
Serving Washington and northern Idaho since 1992, the primary goal of the WSU Center for Innovation is to transform fundamental ideas for new businesses into viable business concepts. To achieve this goal, clients will work with WSU Center staff in employing design thinking methodology to refine value propositions, conduct market research, and develop business models and plans, as appropriate. The combination of business modeling and design thinking is producing sound foundations for new business starts in the region.
Additionally, the Center supports economic development partners in our region by providing market research services to assist in the development and updating of regional plans and strategies.
Services Offered:
- Value Proposition Development: Take an idea and translate it into a statement of value delivered to customers.
- Business Model Generation: Design business models using the Business Model Canvas approach.
- Testing: Design business hypotheses to test against market data.
- Market Research: Provide data (market size, demographics) to refute or support business hypotheses and for use in evaluating options.
- Business Plan Development: Guide the development of a business plan, when one is needed.
Services are free to all clients and offered on a first-come, first-served basis via in-person or virtual meetings. Consultation takes a few weeks to a few months depending upon the variety and depth of services required.
The WSU Center for Innovation participates in the Economic Development Administration’s University Center program and is funded by EDA and matching contributions from WSU Health Sciences Spokane.
In The News
Center clients talk to local NPR affiliate about the services in these short news clips:
- Fine Grounds: Spokane couple creates a coffee ordering app
- Glucose Revival: Fairchild firefighter develops glucose necklace for diabetes
- Winescape Cellars: WSU couple find new excitement in making wine
- Golden Handle Project: Brewing beer as a social purpose corporation
Other news:
- With EDA Support, WSU is Helping Inventors and Entrepreneurs Succeed in Eastern WA
- WSU’s Center for Innovation announces startup competition winners
- Inland Journal: Spokane’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
- Inland Journal: Spokane Inventor Markets Glucose Necklace
- Startup Spokane podcast: ‘Spokane Talks’ online
- WSU Health Sciences Spokane magazine: Innovation Center serves as startup incubator
