Ideation and Invention
Innovation Fellowship
Turn Ideas into Something Real
Offering students a unique, multi-year opportunity that extends beyond traditional classroom to develop your ideas, build valuable relationships, and gain real-world experience.
- Real-world experience solving business challenges
- Exclusive networking with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and mentors
- Incubation space at the Gary and Laura Robinette Center for Entrepreneurship
- Resources & support to turn ideas into ventures
You’ll have access to exclusive networking with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and mentors who can help you grow. Plus, you’ll work in the Gary and Laura Robinette Center for Entrepreneurship, where you’ll have an incubation space to nurture your ideas and turn them into real ventures. Whether you want to launch a startup, collaborate with professionals, or tackle innovative projects, this fellowship equips them with the tools, connections, and mentorship to make it happen. Join us and be part of a community of future business leaders!
The fellowship will have a tangible impact on the regional economy by engaging with local businesses and offering students practical experience. Through the “Ideation and Invention” space, the program will create a collaborative environment where students, businesses, and the community can work together to solve real-world problems and successfully launch new business ventures. Students will have the chance to apply their entrepreneurship skills, making meaningful contributions to TU and the surrounding community.
To Apply
Application deadline is February 1.
- Complete the Undergraduate Student Application. When asked if you are interested in the Fellowships, select “yes”.
- As part of the admissions process, all applicants will participate in an interview with the program director. Interviews are typically conducted virtually and provide an opportunity to discuss your interests, experiences, and fit for the fellowship.
- GPA requirement: minimum 3.0 high school GPA; maintain 3.0 college GPA and above to remain in program
- Innovation Fellowship Contact – all students accepted into the Innovation Fellowship Program must continue to meet the fellowship GPA requirements, be active and engaged in all fellowship activities, and observe all fellowship policies.
Innovation Fellowship Experience
The fellowship program will span four to five years, with students receiving progressively complex opportunities each year. It will be available to students of any major, with a strong emphasis on fostering entrepreneurship across disciplines.
Year 1
Foundational exposure to entrepreneurship concepts, networking with professional leaders, and community-based projects.
Year 2
Access to business networks, participation in speaker series, and potential involvement in the “Ideation and Invention” space for startup support.
Year 3
Opportunities to launch businesses, solve large-scale problems, and lead consulting projects for local businesses.
Year 4
Focus on capital acquisition, real-world business applications, and advanced consulting projects.
Year 5
Graduation year, where students consult with businesses or engage in high-level entrepreneurial work, such as internships or business development.
The Innovation Fellowship will provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship and support they need to turn their visionary ideas into impactful ventures. Our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit and driving economic growth is stronger than ever. At Tiffin University, entrepreneurship is one of our core values, and this fellowship will help us deliver our commitment to this key area.
The Tiffin University Innovation Fellowship Program is poised to become a leading initiative in fostering entrepreneurial talent. By providing hands-on experience, cultivating a strong network of business professionals, and supporting local ventures, the program will help develop the next generation of business leaders while strengthening TU’s position in the academic and entrepreneurial landscapes.
