Startups Database and I&E Dashboard Guide

Start the customer discovery process with the Innovate Carolina team.  We’ll work with your project team lead and key stakeholders to uncover your specific needs, specifications, and customizations.  Customer discovery includes one-on-one discussions and consultation about: 

● Program structure. An evaluation of your innovation and entrepreneurship programs:

– Mission
– Structure of programs
– Audiences served by each program (faculty, students, staff)

● Interconnectivity. How your programs coordinate as a network.

● Services offered. Understanding key services provided, including:

– IP Protection
– Education
– Funding
– Staffing
– Program administrator/manager/director

● How to get buy-in for this project. Understand what it will take for this project to move forward.

● Record-keeping methodologies and reporting responsibilities of each program. A review of existing records that can be used for this project and unmet needs.

● The application process for each program. Key question: Do you want this to be the portal for programs to apply to and enter the ecosystem? This has the biggest influence on estimating time/effort.

● User/management strategy. Do you want only your office staff to manage and be users in the database? Or will other program managers at your university also have access?

● Data types and security (risk assessment).  This will influence your purchasing department requirements.