About
The Edmonton Public Library and Edmonton Unlimited are working together to help bring your big ideas to life. Through this partnership, those interested in entrepreneurship have access to a four-course series delivered in-person and online and can also seek advice from the first Innovator in Residence, Catherine Warren at the Stanley A. Milner Library.
Innovation U: An Entrepreneurial Series is inspired by all the innovators in our great city. Together we are building a global inclusive innovation capital and through this program, you’ll find everything you’ll need to get your idea to market. Adapted from Edmonton Unlimited’s Startup Foundation series through to Preflight: Market, Sell, Pitch is an inclusive program aimed at all innovators and entrepreneurs. Taught by the Edmonton Unlimited program team, each class can be taken in sequence or as a stand-alone session and is designed to build upon one another.
Details
Idea Generation
The best ideas come from problems we encounter in our day-to-day lives. This is an introduction to ideation—the start of solving any problem. Participants will learn tools and a proven framework to strengthen problem-solving skills and identify ideas to move forward with.
Creating a One-Page Business Plan
The Lean Canvas has been a favourite tool for entrepreneurs around the world for good reason. Designed to capture the critical elements of your idea on one page, the Lean Canvas will help you test and validate your assumptions. This process will ultimately help you create solutions customers are looking for.
Design Thinking
In this introduction to design thinking, participants will learn a problem-solving approach that puts customers’ needs above all else. Participants will develop a toolkit to apply to their ideas, products, or solutions.
Perfecting THE Pitch
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that entrepreneurs and innovators use to spark interest in their idea or business. Participants will learn the building blocks in this final session to create a memorable and compelling pitch.
Office Hours
Visit Catherine during her office hours!
Her office is located in the Stollery Wonder Room on the second floor of the Stanley A. Milner Library (located outside the Makerspace).
- Wednesday, Feb. 1 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 15 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 29 – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
