In a world where technology is rapidly reshaping how we live, work, and connect, businesses must be prepared not only to adapt but to anticipate what’s coming next. From AI and digital platforms to new forms of communication, emerging technologies present both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. This program invites you to explore how new enterprise creation can be a force for positive change, addressing issues like sustainability, inclusivity, and equity while navigating the interconnected societal, technological, legal, economic, and environmental forces that shape our future.
Designed for students of all disciplines, this program is centered around building businesses that not only succeed but make a meaningful impact. You will work alongside peers to tackle real-world challenges such as climate crisis, social equity, public health and wellness, food insecurity and other wicked problems. You’ll also explore how super-interdisciplinary design approaches can play a key role in imagining foresight for equitable futures, where new products and services actively promote fairness, access, and opportunity for all. The course encourages you to think beyond the present and explore long-term visions of everyday life that reflect these values, empowering you to create future-ready businesses.
Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with a diverse group of students to develop business ideas that prioritize both financial success and social good. You’ll learn how to design products, services, and business models that address equity gaps, ensuring that marginalized communities benefit from innovation. With support from industry experts, you’ll gain hands-on experience prototyping, testing, and refining your ideas, all while learning how to create businesses that drive both social and economic transformation.
By the end of the program, you’ll be ready to pitch your business concepts, demonstrating how your vision can address pressing challenges and help create a more inclusive future for all. This program offers you the chance to develop the skills and mindset to make a real impact in the world, regardless of your major or prior business experience.
This program is open to all students and encourages collaboration, curiosity, and the sharing of diverse perspectives. Whether you're interested in technology, sustainability, social justice, or entrepreneurship, you'll walk away with the tools to shape the future and contribute to positive change.
To successfully participate in this remote offering, students need a computer and high-speed internet access. Students are expected to participate in 3 1/2 hours of synchronous instructional activities (scheduled on Zoom Meeting) each week.
Building Future-Ready Businesses is designed primarily as a 12-credit program. Students in that option will complete a capstone project and participate in a series of hands-on, entrepreneurial activities, and create an original innovation workshop.
Students may also enroll for 8 credits or 4 credits (which will include the capstone project but not the innovation workshop). Also, students may add on an additional 2 credits to participate in a mini-course to create a podcast about a new idea in entrepreneurial leadership. If you are interested in registering for any of these options, please speak with the faculty at the Spring Academic Fair on March 5 or contact the faculty directly at taki.hirakawa@evergreen.edu to obtain a faculty signature override.
To successfully participate in this remote offering, students need a computer and high-speed internet access that allows video streaming. Students are expected to participate in 3 1/2 hours of synchronous instructional activities (scheduled on Zoom Meeting) each week. In addition, students enrolled at 8 credits should expect 4 hours per week of asynchronous learning activities, including group work. Students enrolled at 12 credits should expect 8 hours per week of asynchronous learning activities, including group work.
Spring Anticipated Credit Equivalencies
Enrolling at 4 credits:
4 - Foundations of New Enterprises and Social Impact Design
Enrolling at 8 credits:
4 - Foundations of New Enterprises and Social Impact Design
4 - Future-Ready Ventures Capstone
Enrolling at 12 credits:
4 - Foundations of New Enterprises and Social Impact Design
4 - Future-Ready Ventures Capstone
4 - Applied Innovation Workshop
Enrolling 6, 10, or 14 credits:
Additional 2 credits
Leadership in Entrepreneurial Design
Registration
Academic Details
Business Venture, Small Business Management, Startups, Business Strategy and Operations, Entrepreneurial Sales and Marketing, User Experience Design, Innovation Consulting, Product Design, Leadership Coaching, Mentoring, Teaching, Management Consulting