Innovation and entrepreneurship are core to engineering education at the Swanson School. Through coursework, competitions, hands-on studio time, and mentorship, students learn to move from idea to prototype to pitch - building skills that serve them whether they launch a startup or join a Fortune 500 company.
IDEA Lab
The Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Application (IDEA) Lab in Benedum Hall is a dedicated makerspace where students develop prototypes, test concepts, and collaborate across disciplines. The lab supports coursework, independent projects, and competition preparation with tools for rapid prototyping, electronics, and fabrication.
Programs and Coursework
Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship Certificate (IPDEC)
This interdisciplinary undergraduate certificate is open to all Swanson School students. It combines academic principles of design, creativity, and entrepreneurship with hands-on project experience.
Courses
Swanson School students can take innovation and entrepreneurship courses that count toward the IPDEC certificate or as technical electives. Topics include product design, design thinking, venture creation, and engineering economics.
Competitions and Events
Students regularly compete in campus and national innovation challenges, including Pitt's own Randall Family Big Idea Competition and Kuzneski Innovation Cup. These events give students experience pitching to investors, refining business models, and working under real deadlines.
Get Involved
Visit the IDEA Lab in 437A Benedum Hall, enroll in an innovation course, or join a student organization focused on design and entrepreneurship. For questions about I&E programming, contact Innoveng@pitt.edu.