Idea Test Lab

The Idea Test Lab is a cohort based, 5-week program designed to create an inclusive pipeline of high-growth entrepreneurs and startups in Southeastern North Carolina and to build resilience in founders.

Applications are being accepted for the Fall of 2026 and Spring 2027!

Idea Test Lab is an early-stage entrepreneurship course to enable founders to determine if there is business value in an idea. Each of the five sessions will focus on different entrepreneurial design topics such as value proposition, identifying the customer's problem, competition, and market analysis.

This course outline provides a structured approach, using the Wendy Kennedy Methodology (WKI), to guiding participants through the crucial stages of startup ideation, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competition. Idea Test Lab wraps up with a Demo Day, where founders have the opportunity to showcase their business idea to community members, students, and other founders.

Apply to Idea Test Lab

Qualifications

Early-stage (ideation stage) company
High impact, scalable science or technology-enabled
Able to attend the 5 sessions and the Demo Day

Time Commitment

Five weeks - One 3-hour session per week for five weeks, followed by a Demo Day.

What’s in it for YOU?

Connections to a network of UNCW community and ecosystem partners
CIE essentials coworking membership for the duration of the cohort
Mentorship and guidance; access to CIE mentors
Validation of ideas using WKI tools
Identify value proposition
Cohort experience – joining a cohort allows you to learn from experiences of other entrepreneurs and share challenges
Post-program support

Application Deadlines and Schedules

Fall 2026 Application Deadline: November 9, 2026
Spring 2027 Application Deadline: March 1, 2027

Fall 2026 Session Dates: Mondays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fall 2026 Cohort Session dates and topics
Date	Session
Nov 16	Kickoff, Value Proposition, and Defining Customer Problem
Nov 23	Customers and Market Landscape
Nov 30	Competition and Financial Tool
Dec 7	Go-to-Market Plan, Pitch Decks
Dec 14	Partners, Mentors, & Stakeholder Day
Dec 16	Demo Day!

Spring 2027 Session Dates: Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m.

Spring 2027 Cohort session dates and topics
Date	Session
March 9	Kickoff, Value Proposition, and Defining Customer Problem
March 16	Customers and Market Landscape
March 23	Competition and Financial Tool
March 30	Go-to-Market Plan, Pitch Decks
April 6	Partners, Mentors, & Stakeholder Day
April 13	Demo Day!