The Ideation Jam that occurred recently on campus was a great success, with many students participating and some even winning a spot in the Wisconsin Big Idea Competition (WBIT). This three day event took place from February 25th-27th, and it also held significance by being the first in-person startup event like this to be held since Covid. 

Ideation Jam is Stout’s own version of events like 3DayStartup that occurred annually in the past. Through this event, students had the opportunity to meet and interact with investors, mentors, and facilitators to show off their ideas or to simply learn about start-up business creation. The biggest highlight of the event was the opportunity for students to pitch individually or as a team on Sunday, the 27th for the WBIT. 

Mary Spaeth, an assistant professor at Stout who played a big role in the creation of the Ideation Jam, gave some good insight as to the importance that events like this hold for students. 

“The most valuable experience for anyone participating in the weekend ‘jam’ is the opportunity to engage with others to ideate on a problem worth solving and to learn how to turn it into a viable business,” Spaeth said. “These jams are open to faculty, staff, and students alike, as well as to the community.”

Spaeth also expressed hope for future startup events, mentioning how they would like to open these events up to the community more. In addition, she mentioned several of those who volunteered for this event as mentors to the participating students, making it even more of a great opportunity for students to learn from mentors directly. 

Overall, with the return of in-person events like the Ideation Jam, Stout students once again have access to great opportunities to develop their skills and make connections. 

(Provided by Mary Spaeth, taken by Sam Neuenschwander)

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