Together,
we can build the future of learning.

Practitioners, researchers, thinkers, and creators
EdTech innovation is student collaboration.

We need YOU.

Benefits

Experience

This incubator-like experience is the only EdTech program that incorporates educational research as part of the core program. You will have the freedom to create advances and innovative products that might otherwise never be developed.

Participating in the program will help you:

  1. Transform your EdTech product ideas, from concept to reality.
  2. Expand your network through work with researchers, mentors, and peers.
  3. Learn new skills and develop your understanding of EdTech through interdisciplinary collaboration.
  4. Gain recognition and exposure from industry leaders.
  5. Create a substantive body of work that leads toward future academic and career opportunities.

Success Stories

INA provides connections to industry leaders as well as press coverage that can take winning ideas and push them into reality.

Get a glimpse of last year's winner — BestFit's success:

  1. No “I” in “Team” – Only in Innovation
  2. Budding start-up, born at TC, wins $100,000
  3. TC Student Entrepreneur Asha Owens to Compete at 2018 SXSW

See Previous INA Submissions and Winning Teams on via our Past Event page.

Other examples include two INA Teams: EmQuo and MySulli named top 20 of 250 entries for the ATOS/IT Challenge 2018.

You could be next!

Who owns my ideas and/or products?

Students retain all the intellectual property rights to their project submissions. Be sure to follow all copyright and intellectual property laws during the development of the project.

PARTICIPATION

Participation in the program is team based. All Columbia University students are encouraged to apply. Teams are encouraged to be interdisciplinary and must have at least one currently enrolled Teachers College student. Opportunities will be provided to find teammates.

Faculty members are not eligible to formally participate on a team, but may serve as mentors or advisers.

How do I participate, find a team?

Start talking to your friends and colleagues! Find a team.

Deadline to apply is March 8, 2023.

What if I have an idea but I’m not sure if it’s ready?

We encourage you to apply. Technology ideas are never “ready.” This program is for nascent ideas. We will help you along with each step in the process. Email us if you have questions.

What if my domain isn’t technology based?

See next question.

What if I don’t have technical skills (e.g. programming, high-tech)?

Teams thrive when there is diversity in background, knowledge, and skill on the founding team. Everyone has something to offer. The only skills you need are the ability to work with a team and dogged commitment.

Opportunities will be provided to help you find the right team.

Commitment and Support

What kind of commitment is expected?

The program is divided into three parts: the asynchronous online modules, live support events, and the award and showcase event.

  • Design Modules — March 10 - March 31
  • Check-In Session — April 7
  • Award and Showcase Event — April 20

There will be a good amount of independent work to complete outside these hours. Students are responsible for managing commitments to the program and their team.

Sounds exciting! What can I do to prepare?

We recommend the following: 1) Start talking to people and find teammates, 2) Identify existing research and narrow down the problem space, 3) Learn about the process of turning concepts into testable prototypes. See suggested readings below.

How can I get more information about the program?

Sign-up for the initial info session and fill out the form here.

Timeline and Program overview

The following is an overview of the program timeline across the 2020 Fall term. Note that it is a tentative schedule. Times and topics are subject to change.

Key Dates Event
March 3 Information Session
March 8 Application DUE
March 10 Module: Media & Participatory Design
March 24 Module: Empathy & Define
March 31 Module: Ideate & Prototype
April 7 Rough Draft Check-in
Apil 14 Showcase + Awards Event

How do I sign up?

See Get Involved.