Students Resources
Resources For Students
At OIE, we help GW students from all disciplines and experience levels explore entrepreneurship, connect with mentors, and take practical steps toward real-world impact.
Our programs and resources are open to all GW students, and designed to fit your goals, schedule, and stage of interest.
Programs For...
For students just getting started or are interested in learning more about entrepreneurship, these programs and events will help you start your entrepreneurial journey.
- Mentorship
Get one-on-one guidance through mentorship at OIE through our Mentors-in-Residence (MIRs) program. Our mentors offer stage-specific support with office hours, check-ins, and milestone-based feedback.
Whether you’re exploring an idea or growing your venture, they’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence!
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- Introduction to Lean Innovation Webinar (ILI)
Designed for early-stage innovators, this monthly webinar teaches you the fundamentals of the Lean Startup methodology, customer discovery, and early-stage commercialization. You’ll learn how successful innovators begin - not by building, but by listening. ILI focuses on understanding real customer needs through conversations, a core practice in Lean Startup, Design Thinking, and Agile Development.
Open to the GW community, this session is perfect for anyone exploring new ideas, transforming research, or building a venture.
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- Innovator's Academy 101
This is the first of a two level program that equips students with the skills, mindset, and support to move from idea to implementation. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, students learn while unlocking exclusive resources and opportunities across GW’s innovation ecosystem. This level is ideal for students looking to build a strong foundation and preparing for more advanced programs.
Typically held through the fall semester, sessions are hybrid and designed to fit your schedule, so you can start where it works best for you.
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- Classroom Innovation Modules
Classroom Innovation Modules bring entrepreneurial thinking directly into GW courses, giving students the chance to tackle real-world challenges through applied innovation in an educational environment.
Learn more about the professors who have integrated these modules into their courses and register through GW!
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- Pitch George Competition
Hosted by our partner, the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Pitch George is GW’s annual elevator pitch competition, open to students from all schools and disciplines. Held each fall, it gives aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to present their ideas, receive expert feedback, and compete for up to $10,000 in startup funding.
With support from faculty, mentors, and business leaders, Pitch George offers a real-world launchpad for student ventures.
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For students ready to develop and test their idea or join a team, the opportunities below help turn early concepts into structured ventures.
- Mentorship
Get one-on-one guidance through mentorship at OIE through our Mentors-in-Residence (MIRs) program. Our mentors offer stage-specific support with office hours, check-ins, and milestone-based feedback.
Whether you’re exploring an idea or growing your venture, they’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence!
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- Innovator's Academy 102
Take your skills to the next level with workshops that dive into advanced topics and practical tools for real-world impact. This series helps you refine your ideas, build confidence, and prepare for high-stakes opportunities like competitions, funding, and industry engagement.
Offered each spring, sessions are hybrid and designed to fit your schedule so you can choose the path that works best for you. Completing a level of the Innovator’s Academy will unlock exclusive resources and opportunities across GW’s innovation ecosystem.
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- New Venture Competition
The New Venture Competition (NVC) is GW’s largest annual showcase for student entrepreneurship, offering teams the chance to pitch their ideas, compete for significant funding, and connect with mentors, judges, and industry experts.
Open to all GW students, NVC provides hands-on experience in building and presenting a venture while preparing you for the real-world challenges of launching a startup.
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- Lean Startup Short Course
The Lean Startup Short Course is a virtual, three-week bootcamp that helps innovators test the real-world potential of their ideas. Through customer discovery, participants identify target segments, validate value propositions, and explore go-to-market strategies.
By engaging directly with potential customers, you’ll gain practical insights into their needs and learn how to shape your innovation into a viable solution.
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For students prepared to scale, pitch to investors, or pursue funding, the opportunities below will help prepare you for your next big step.
- Mentorship
Get one-on-one guidance through mentorship at OIE through our Mentors-in-Residence (MIRs) program. Our mentors offer stage-specific support with office hours, check-ins, and milestone-based feedback.
Whether you’re exploring an idea or growing your venture, they’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence!
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- National I-Corps GW
GW is a founding partner of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s I-Corps™ program, a seven-week, hands-on training that helps innovators assess and advance the commercial viability of their deep-tech ideas.
GW has supported students, faculty, staff, alumni, and regional technology entrepreneurs through its leadership in the NSF Mid-Atlantic Hub.
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- Industry Advisory Panels
GW’s Industry Advisory Panels give advanced teams an equity-free opportunity to grow their ventures with guidance from investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts.
Hosted quarterly by OIE, panels provide strategic feedback on business models, go-to-market plans, and scaling strategies. Teams leave with a customized milestone roadmap to guide their next steps.
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- SBIR/STTR Grant Application Support
GW’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship provides guidance for students, faculty, and researchers pursuing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. These highly competitive federal programs offer non-dilutive funding to turn early-stage research and innovations into real-world products and ventures.
innovate
gwu [dot] edu (Contact Us)Image
On Campus Resources
FAQ
- Do I need an idea to participate?
No, anyone interested in entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship or innovation can participate in OIE’s programming - ideally beginning at the Educate & Ideate stage. You may also consider joining a team who already has an idea.
- Can I join a team instead of starting one?
Yes! The best place to find a team is by attending our networking events and Innovator’s Academy. This will allow you to meet and interact with like-minded people who might be looking for your specific skills. You can also join any of the entrepreneurship-related clubs and organizations on campus to continue expanding your community.
- What’s the time commitment?
OIE’s programs are designed to fit a busy student and working schedule. We offer flexible, hybrid and virtual programming with recordings that you can access on your own time. Your time commitment is dependent upon your specific needs, stage of idea development, and participating program.
- Can I get course credit?
OIE does not offer course credit. If you are looking to enroll in a GW course that is supported by our office, please read more about our Classroom Innovation Modules.