The University’s Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship initiative recently received $50,000 in grant support from the Joan and Morgan Massey Foundation for its newest offering — The Richmond Innovation Fellows program. Launched in January, the academic program shows students how to take their creative ideas and realize them in non-profit and for-profit spaces.

The Fellows program, a concept spurred by UR students, consists of three phases. Students begin with a course in design thinking that takes on complex challenges in new ways. Then, this summer, students will travel abroad to the European Innovation Academy in Porto, Portugal, to convert their ideas into startups under the mentorship of international business leaders. Students will return to campus this fall to continue development and engage in a demo day showcasing their concepts. 

“The program is for students seeking to flex their creative muscles and test innovative ideas in supportive, real-world settings,” said Somiah Lattimore, founding and senior director of the CIE. “Students may also take the design thinking course as a stand-alone regardless of whether they are in the RIF program.”

The CIE initiative, which was first launched in fall 2021 thanks to a generous gift from the Jason & Jaime Brown Family Foundation and the RB Charitable Foundation, offers programing to students in any major.

“The words creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship operate separately and together,” said Joan Saab, executive vice president and provost. “The CIE combines the expertise of faculty and staff from all five schools on our campus and allows a wide range of students to complement their courses of study with these important skillsets and concepts.”

Programming through CIE is academic and co-curricular, including classes and career exploration.

Now in its third year, the Summer Incubator program helps about a dozen students explore their business concepts within a collaborative co-working space in the Richmond region. Students receive mentorship from UR staff and local business owners.

Another key program from the CIE is Bench Top Innovations, where students conceive, create, and take a food product to market in less than a year with the mentorship of Richmond faculty and staff. Sixteen students organize into teams of four. At the end of the first semester, the students compete in a “Bake Off,” and the most viable product for the mass market is selected.

Once a winner is chosen, the group of 16 collaborates on manufacturing, operations, distribution, marketing, and sales for the product. The program, now in its third year, has launched a nut-free trail mix called Absurd Snacks; Twin Tail Brew, a sugar-free energy drink; and, most recently, Noosh — a baba ghanoush dip.

The CIE also coaches students ahead of pitch competitions and investor conferences. Recently, CIE staff worked with the student entrepreneurs who founded Angel Detection Solutions, a company that developed a disposable cup capable of detecting if drugs are added to a drink. The team pitched their business to a live audience during the 2024 Tom Tom Festival Crowdfunded Pitch Night, and was named “Crowd Favorite.” 

Lattimore emphasized that CIE staff are available to advise any student who needs support launching a new venture.

“You do not have to be in a class or program to take advantage of CIE programming,” she said. “We want students to know that regardless of where they are in their journey, there is a place and support and a community for them to pursue their academic and career goals while feeling safe to take risks.”