Summer Springboard
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
ACADEMIC COURSE
COMBINE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS FOR A TANGIBLE IMPACT ON BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Course Highlights
- Identify and evaluate opportunities in the food industry and craft compelling value propositions for real-world food challenges.
- Translate innovative ideas into practical solutions with significant impact.
- Analyze how startups establish themselves in the food industry through interactive activities and real-world case studies.
Collaborate with an industry sponsor, California Milk Advisory Board, to create a product innovation.
Develop and deliver an effective elevator pitch.
Present ideas to a panel of industry representatives, resembling the “Shark Tank” format.
Summer Springboard
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Course Overview
Students will embark on a journey of innovation and entrepreneurship, prioritizing hands-on experience and real-world application over theoretical learning. They will form teams of 3-4 and compete to develop innovative dairy sector products. They will engage in the innovation process and receive feedback from the industry sponsor, the California Milk Advisory Board. At the conclusion of the course, winners will be announced, and all students will receive certificates in recognition of their efforts. This immersive experience not only fosters teamwork, but also underscores effective communication in a professional context. This course offers a unique opportunity to combine innovation and entrepreneurial skills for a tangible impact on business development.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Outcome #1
Engage in the end-to-end innovation process, from identifying industry challenges to developing and refining consumer-ready dairy product concepts, using design thinking and iterative problem-solving strategies.
Outcome #2
Work in teams to ideate, research, and develop dairy product innovations, demonstrating effective collaboration, project management, and peer communication skills.
Outcome #3
Interact with professionals from the California Milk Advisory Board, incorporating real-world feedback into their product development process, and gaining insight into careers in food science and entrepreneurship.
Outcome #4
Deliver final product pitches in a professional, Shark-Tank style showcase, demonstrating strong oral and visual communication skills tailored to an industry audience.
