Priorities:Western State Colorado University Student Priorities

Strategy 1: Creating a network of innovators and entrepreneurs on campus

The first step to making this a reality will be creating an interactive website. (March 2017)

This website will allow Innovative and entrepreneurial students and faculty at western as well as in the community to connect with each other in an organized online setting. It will provides access to innovative resources and shed light on the process of design thinking and lean startup while providing these resources at a  

We will then create a mobile app that connects with the website (April 2017)

This app will allow people to connect with this innovative network that we plan to create on the go. Due to the fact that many innovative and entrepreneurial types are always on the go this will allow us all to connect when busy schedules create barriers to connections. The app will take form of a mobile template that we can replicate many times over and organizations on campus will be able to use as well.

Updating resources on the website. (March 2017)

These resources will be focused on the process of innovation through the design thinking and lean startup methods in order to create a place where people on campus who would like to innovate can go to become educated and find information on the many ways in which they can go about innovating and structuring a new startup.  

Finding mentors for the network (May 2017)

This will include creating a small network of successful innovators and entrepreneurs that will be affiliated with the Western ICE project that perspective innovators can go to to ask for personal and real world advice around their idea from people who have already gone through this process and have experienced similar situations.

Creating workshops or organized online and on campus/in community opportunities for innovators to learn about specific concepts. (organized by June/July 2017 for the coming fall 2017 semester)

This will include classes and seminars that the ICE project will be holding for students who want to innovate around a certain topic and would like to learn about these specific topics. These would allow students to connect in person, make connections, and learn about specific fields of innovation in which they are passionate about.

Soft launching of the website and the initial resources (August 2017)

In completing a sort launch of the initial innovative network it will allow us to reiterate what we have already made based on what the students and community think would make the network a more effective tool.

Hard launch (September 2017)

This will be the launch of the Network after we have modified it for the users needs. It will be a cleaned up version that will constantly morph and grow as the network grows and resources are expanded.

Strategy 2: Creating a makerspace on campus or in the community

Obtaining funding for the project (May 2017)

Applying to grants and looking for donors in order to successfully fund the project. Could also start a crowdfunding campaign to raise funding.

Find a building for the makerspace (May 2017)

This building could be in the community (off campus) or in a space on campus depending on what the school will allow on campus and if the makerspace would have potential for more opportunity on or off campus.

What type of prototyping potential does the makerspace need to include for our purposes. (May 2017)

We are going to have to pick from a list of equipment and resources that we would like to provide in this space. Some of these things will most likely include, 3d printers, design software, computers, CNC machines, welder, woodworking shop, industrial sewing machine, vinyl cutter, etc.

Deciding what the layout of the building would look like  (June 2017)

The layout of the building will be entirely dependent on the space that is available and the most useful and powerful resources that we can effectively offer with the space that we have. We will have to pick from the most important pieces of equipment to include in the space and then use our network to outsource and connect with outside shops such as wood shops, or a metal fab shops.

Ordering and installing needed equipment (June 2017)

After deciding what type of resources and prototyping equipment we are going to provide we will need to find reputable distributors to purchase the equipment from and qualified people to install the equipment after our buildout.

Buildout and installation of equipment (September 2017)

This will include the full buildout of the building based on the plans set forth and the installation of the equipment that will be received by this time. The buildout will be a long process but with ample planning and allocation of funds we hope to keep the process streamlined.

Establishing a membership plan as well as rules and procedures (November 2017)

Once the space is complete we will be able to set up a membership plan to use the makerspace as well as a set of rules and procedures that will be put in place to keep people safe. The money made from membership dues will go back into the makerspace to keep everything up to date and maintained. At this point in time we will also have to find employees/mentors to work at the space during open hours.

Launching the Makerspace (January 2018)

Once the whole project is complete we will launch the project at the beginning of the 2018 spring semester in order to have as many students involved as possible as well as the community. Any holes that we see in our makerspace can then be addressed and we will hopefully gain community interest in partnerships in order to offer opportunities to different types of spaces.

Written by: Alex Modell