The IDEA Capstone Experience for ICP Students

Unlock the full potential of your Innovation Career Pathway (ICP) journey with IDEAcademy as your Capstone experience! Whether you're looking to validate your ideas, test an MVP, or scale a full prototype, this program guides you through every stage of the process. Here, you'll find all the details on eligibility, necessary steps, and how to complete the required 100 hours, ensuring your Capstone meets ICP standards. Ready to take the next step? Start exploring the process and prepare to take your research to the next step!

The Innovation Pathway Stages

SEED

Early Validation

Lay the foundation for your idea! Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and define your Needs Statement, Value Proposition, and Beachhead Market Plan using the Impact Gap Canvas.

WATER

Testing & Refinement

Ensure your idea is ready for scaling by testing your MVP, gathering feedback from mentors, and planning for a Beta Test with a functioning prototype. This phase is all about refining and verifying your concept.

GROW

Scaling & Outreach

Take your project to the next level! Display a successful attempt at scaling with a full prototype, finalize your revenue model and outreach plan, and run a Beta Test to collect user data and insights.

BLOOM

Sustained Impact

Prove that your idea is scalable and impactful! Document your work, develop a fully functional and scalable design, and prepare to present at Demo Day. This is your moment to shine!

Eligibility

Your are eligible to use IDEAcademy as a Capstone for ICP if:

✔ Enrolled in an ICP pathway for at least two years

✔ Completed two technical courses and at least one college-level course

✔ Spoken with your ICP Coordinator after acceptance to confirm viability

✔ Understand collaboration rules—solo, school-based team, or cross-school

✔ Available to present at Demo Day

If you don’t meet all the criteria, don’t worry! IDEAcademy projects can still help you prepare for your Capstone or a Project Lead the Way course through idea testing and development.

100 Hour Capstone Timeline

IDEAcademy’s July program runs Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM for three weeks, totaling 75 contact hours toward your Capstone. However, ICP students are required to complete 100 hours, meaning the remaining 25 hours must be fulfilled through additional activities beyond scheduled program hours. So, where do the other 25 hours come from?

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Documentation & Publishing (Flexible Hours)

One option for fulfilling part of the required hours is through active documentation of your Capstone work. This documentation will be published in The Stateless Collective’s peer-reviewed journal, giving students an incredible opportunity to showcase their research and contributions in a professional academic setting. While all IDEA students receive support in documenting their work throughout the program, the post-program review period gives Capstone students the chance to refine, expand, and elevate their research to meet the highest standards.

This process will require work outside of regular program hours, including analyzing data, writing reflections, and structuring your findings into a formal document for submission. To assist students, support sessions will be held in our virtual office hours during the two weeks following IDEAcademy, where mentors will provide feedback and guidance on writing for publication. While this work can be completed independently, participation in these sessions is highly encouraged to ensure high-quality submissions.

Testing & User Interviews (Real-World Insights)

For students whose projects require real-world validation, another way to complete the additional hours is by conducting testing and user interviews. Testing allows students to refine their prototype, gather data on how well it functions, and make necessary adjustments before scaling further. Meanwhile, interviews with key stakeholders or potential users offer insights into the practicality, usability, and overall impact of the project.

Because these activities happen outside of regular program hours, students should plan accordingly. If testing and interviews are critical to their Capstone’s success, IDEAcademy will support students in setting up structured testing processes, facilitating interviews with relevant experts, and providing guidance on how to document findings effectively. To take advantage of this, students must speak with the IDEAcademy team by the beginning of Week 2 to arrange proper support.

Your Capstone, Your Impact

Completing these extra 25 hours is an essential part of ensuring that students produce rigorous, high-quality work that meets ICP standards. Whether through documentation, testing, or interviews, these additional efforts help students develop strong research skills, real-world validation strategies, and professional-level communication, all of which will be showcased in their final Demo Day presentation.

This structure provides flexibility while maintaining the rigor expected of a Capstone project. By taking ownership of their process and leveraging IDEAcademy’s resources, students will emerge confident and prepared to present their work as a polished, scalable idea.