Impact Studio Incubator

Applebaum Impact Design Fellows are current U-M students from a variety of degree programs who have technical skills to work alongside student founders to build their ventures throughout the academic year. 

Fellows typically come from technical or research-based programs such as business, engineering, information, art and design, public health, public policy, or social work. How fellows might help founders:

• Design: User research, prototyping, UI/UX, web/app development

• Business Model Development: Impact business model creation, customer discovery, market assessment

• Product Development: Product or service conceptualization, product market fit

• Marketing & Sales: Brand strategy, marketing & PR planning, content creation, sales strategy

• Financial Impact: Financial forecasting and projections, KPI development, unit economics

• Research & Content Expertise: Social impact research & measurement, competitive analysis, academic research; expertise in public health, public policy, social work

You will be matched with a cohort of 2-3 founders based on needs and the interest/experience of the fellows. As a thought and action partner, you will:

• Maintain big picture understanding and provide a summary of venture status

• Join Founders in their team meetings and contribute to the growth of their idea, providing advice and technical expertise

• Actively analyze venture needs and identify project/activity needs such as:

  • Learn to use tools such as the impact business model canvas

  • Design a user/stakeholder research plan and facilitate data synthesis

  • Research, develop, test, and evaluate prototypes

  • Provide thought partnership on brand development and go to market strategy

  • Develop and refine financial models, forecasts, and funding strategies

• Lead or support other duties for the program such as content creation for social media

You may be re-deployed to help other founders in the studio on specific projects based on fellow interest and founder needs.

In Fall 2025, programming will run from September 18 to December 5, 2025. Fellows may be invited back to participate in the winter term program to continue working on their venture.

• Application Deadline: Sep 5 (Noon)

• Group interviews (Invitation only): Sep 8 (6:30-8:30pm) OR Sep 11 (6:30-8:30pm)

• Kickoff Dinner: Sep 18 (7-9pm)

• Weekly Friday Coworkings: Begins Sep 19 (9am-12pm)

• BCG Office Visit & Collaboration: Nov 14

As a fellow you will engage with the studio community through:

• Weekly Breakfasts & Friday Morning Coworking Sessions: You will meet with your assigned coach and founders to work on projects. You will also participate in community standups to hear what other founders are working on and provide advice/feedback.

• Working Meetings with Matched Founders: As needed, you will meet outside of the coworking sessions with founders to work on specific projects or milestones.

• Venture Work: You’ll keep track of venture status and needs and identify and complete value-add projects for the founders you’re working with.

• Asynchronous Communication: You will collaborate with your assigned coach and founders on Slack throughout the week.

Throughout the semester, there may be other meetings/events that the Impact Studio coaches will ask you to attend.

For fellow-related work inside and outside the Studio, you should expect to work 6-8 hours per week starting the week of September 16, 2024. You will be paid an hourly rate of $22.

There is a possible extension through winter term.