OnRamp Student Innovation Program
OnRamp Innovation Accelerator
OnRamp is a corporate innovation idea accelerator driven by innovative students at The Ohio State University. Given initial concepts generated by a sponsor, a group of students conduct customer validation and innovation techniques over a multi-week program to result in unique solutions.
Program Benefits
Student Talent - Develop your talent pipeline and witness Ohio State's talented students in action
Lean Start-Up - Explore multiple early-stage low fidelity concepts to quickly iterate and de-risk ideas
Customer Validation - By conducting personal interviews with potential users, customer data is obtained to inform solutions
Innovation Culture - Create an outlet for ideation and expose associates to lean start-up process and customer-focused thinking
Collaboration - Collaborate with industry partners to produce innovation products from the ground up
Real-World Impact - Explore the potential of new business models, products and services
"Over winter break, I interviewed for and accepted a position as an environmental engineering consultant, which I'm really excited to start. Both of my interviewers were really interested in the project that I did for CIS last summer and I'm confident that that role played a large part in me receiving an offer. I'm grateful for the experience with and exposure to the energy technology industry that the project offered me and I'm grateful for your guidance throughout that process."
- Jerrod S., OnRamp Innovation Analyst, 2022
Students - Sign up to learn more about paid OnRamp opportunities
Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of the next recruitment cycle for a paid OnRamp position with the Center for Innovation Strategies. Projects take place each semester. Please see details and FAQs at the bottom of this page.
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OnRamp Partners
Additional Details for Students
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Details and FAQs
Is this a paid opportunity?
Yes! Students accepted into the program will be hired as an Innovation Analyst for the Center for Innovation Strategies and be paid an hourly rate of $10.00 during the weeks of operation (with a weekly cap of 10 hrs/wk).
Can I be a part of this program if I have another campus job?
If you are already employed by the university, the 10 hrs/wk for the OnRamp will count towards your maximum number of hours per week. Please check with your supervisor if applying for the OnRamp would be acceptable.
Who will I be working with?
You will be working in a team with multi-disciplinary undergraduate students and senior leadership of the Center for Innovation Strategies, as well as innovation leaders from sponsoring companies.
Where will I be working?
The OnRamp program will be primarily delivered virtually, with possible in-person meetings for the kick-off and final pitch.
What will I be doing?
Throughout the multi-week program (6 weeks for sprints, 10 weeks for the accelerator), you will be taught innovation techniques to create a new project based on a problem/opportunity identified by our corporate sponsors. You will start by obtaining a core task from the sponsor. Then you will begin customer validation by interviewing potential customers. After your interviews are complete, you will consolidate your data to understand the root problem and customer pain points. From here, your team will develop a new innovation concept, product or service. You will then have the opportunity to pitch this idea back to the sponsors.
Why should I be involved?
OnRamp offers a unique opportunity to innovate and develop new business concepts. You are getting paid to learn how to create an innovation initiative or start-up for a corporate sponsor. You are working and building a relationship with employers for potential internships and full-time opportunities. You’ll gain great experience for your resume and develop valuable leadership skills and a growth mindset.
I'm not sure I can create good ideas
OnRamp will teach you the innovative process of product development and creating concepts. You will learn the steps it takes to create your own value-creating ideas.
I don't know how to build a prototype
The OnRamp program focuses on creating viable ideas based on customer insights from the data you collect. You will not be expected to create fully functioning prototypes or products.
Responsibilities & Desired Skills
Time Commitment:
Mandatory 90-minute cohort meetings once a week
Mandatory one hour team meetings with your team at a time that suits your schedule
Commitment to working 10 hr/wk on your project with your team members
Duties
Data collection in the field by obtaining customer validation through interviews
Learning innovation skills to transform your given problem into an MVP (Minimal Value Proposition)
Lead within your team and foster an innovation environment
Desired Skills
Ability and desire to work in a fast paced start-up environment
Strong communication skills with peers and future customers
Comfort with approaching and talking to strangers
Strong work ethic, interpersonal, and leadership skills
Able to operate with minimal direction and supervision
Self-driven motivator
Contact Us
Paul Reeder
Executive Director
Center for Innovation Strategies
227 Mason Hall
250 Woodruff Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
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2100 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210