Eagle Startup Center
Eastern Washington University
Helping Your Business Take Flight!
The Eagle Startup Center (ESC) is a hands-on program designed to take students through the entire process of launching a business. Whether you have a business idea of your own or want to contribute your valuable talents and abilities in other ways, we have a place for you in the ESC.
What We Do
Innovate – Ideation Workshops, held twice per quarter, guide students through brainstorming and idea development with engaging activities and insights from experienced faculty and community experts.
Explore – The Commercialization Academy (TCA) offers a comprehensive program throughout the academic year. TCA covers over two dozen essential topics, including business planning, prototyping, securing funding, and legal considerations.
Fly – The Eagles Accelerator features a three-phase business pitch contest with a total prize pool of $27,500. Participants benefit from pitching their ideas to potential investors and receiving expert advice to maximize their business success.
Upcoming
Success
Many success companies have come through the Eagle Startup Center and are now operating in the Spokane area and internationally.
Cosmetic company Astria has won over $35,000 to fund expansion. They are currently mass producing non-toxic 3D-printed custom press-on nails and shipping across the nation.
After winning seed money from the Eagle Startup Center, technology company Ultropia has gone on to win national business competitions. They are looking to revolutionize the cleaning industry with their ultrasound-based washer and dryer.
For a full list of companies, visit our Success Stories page here.
Support
To support students in their creative endeavors, the Eagle Startup Center offers the Ideation Lab—a fully equipped space for 3D printing, soldering, sewing, and more. Staffed by skilled student employees, the lab provides hands-on assistance with equipment and facilitates rapid, low-resolution prototyping. This allows students to transition from concept to proof of concept by developing minimally viable products (MVPs).
Students also have access to additional fabrication labs and workshops across campus. Under the guidance of Eagle Startup Center Director Dr. Philip Appel and a multidisciplinary team of experienced faculty mentors, the Center aims to support students at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, ensuring comprehensive assistance and expertise.
To learn more about the Ideation Lab and its capabilities, head over to our Ideation Lab page here for more information.
Ready to get Started?
Registration is open for all of our 2024-25 events and programs! To get more information on individual events and programs, visit our Program page here, where you can read about each program in detail and get started with registration!
If you have any questions or would like to connect with the Center, please visit our Contact page here or send us an email directly at eagle-startup@ewu.edu. Additionally, you can stop in to the Ideation Lab at CEB 125 on the Cheney campus during open hours to talk with a staff member.
