Get advice for creating a new product and launching your idea. Our authors are faculty, staff, students and professionals. Read what lessons they can share about ideation, prototyping, company formation, law, marketing and more.
When you think of adventure and “doing good,” you might also think about Cotopaxi. A Utah outdoor-gear brand with a knack for sustainable social change, this company has made waves with the integration of outdoor 24-hour “Questival” competitions that have a dual purpose: getting people into nature and funding charitable foundations. As for the gear sold […]
SWOT analyses have been used by marketers for years while planning for the outcome of anything, from a product to an individual, in a specific market. SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and is generally laid out in a four-plot grid, filled out with lists. While these analyses are the traditional […]
Deciding whether or not a startup is worth the time, money and energy that you’ll have to dedicate to it can be difficult. The company may have incredible success, and all of the hours you spent putting together a balance sheet, designing and redesigning models, writing and pitching your product could all pay off … […]
Over the past year, I have been working on an internet app startup called Blerp, which allows people to easily share audio clips. Through Blerp we have made multiple software applications for web and mobile devices. We have made many mistakes along our journey, but we have also learned a lot from these mistakes. Each […]
Watch our how-to video for making a cornhole game set. The game is also known as bean bag toss. Our Make program team explains step-by-step how to make this game using the tools and equipment at Lassonde Studios. All students at the University of Utah are welcome to use the tools. Learn more at […]
Overlooking the importance of a new idea is one of the biggest mistakes of startup founders. A new idea is infinitely times better than a spin-off of an existing idea. If a product that looks and acts almost identical to your idea already exists, how can you compete? New and unique ideas have a better […]
With billions of people across the globe on platforms from Yelp to Twitter every day, it’s difficult for a startup to exist without a stable social media presence. However, getting into the social networking world takes more poise and strategy than you may think, and it’s easy to get it wrong. Three University of Utah […]
As an entrepreneur, I am addicted to making a prototype, coming up with a company name, building a website and bouncing ideas off experts. You probably feel the same way. These are all fundamental steps to turn an idea into a startup, and great founders constantly strive to improve these steps through self-help resources and/or […]
I’m a 20-something-year-old, Caucasian, American, male living in Utah. Diversity is not the first thing anyone thinks when they meet me. And rightfully so. I’m part of the most privileged class of people in the world. Not only was I born in a developed country, am I college educated, come from Caucasian descent but I also […]
No successful product has ever been launched in its initial prototype form. So how can you ensure that your prototype will get to a level that will impress the market and better yet, actually sell? Think about the steps below, each is an integral part in coming to an effective and successful final product. 1. […]
