Entrepreneur Lab
Introducing College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Entrepreneur Lab, your ultimate resource for your entrepreneurial journey! From sparking an idea to starting or expanding your small business, our events and coaching are here to inspire and guide you every step of the way.
Events
Ignite your passion and elevate your business skills. From monthly workshops like Business Basics and First Steps, to major events like Nampa Business Day and our biannual Showcase and Competition, the Entrepreneur Lab offers hands-on learning and real opportunities to win prize money to support your business. Connect with local entrepreneurs, sharpen your ideas, and take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey!
Take part in inspiring gatherings where you will learn from the personal stories of local entrepreneurs and their journeys to starting successful businesses. Hear about the highs and lows of their early steps, and discover the unique paths each entrepreneur has taken. Connect with remarkable local leaders as they share their experiences.
SEpt. 3
"Turing a Passion into a Business"
Kristen Thom, Co-owner of Canary Books
4 p.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Entrepreneur Lab or Zoom
Oct. 15
Speaker and topic coming soon!
4 p.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Entrepreneur Lab or Zoom
Nov. 4
Speaker and topic coming soon!
Noon
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Entrepreneur Lab or Zoom
Experience hands-on training with local entrepreneurs covering essential business topics to elevate your skills in key areas. Engage with other business leaders and operators as we learn from some of the industry's top experts together.
SEpt. 10
"Leverage AI to Launch and Run a Business"
Dan Duhrkoop, Zarla
4 p.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Entrepreneur Lab or Zoom
Oct. 8
Speaker and topic coming soon!
4 p.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Entrepreneur Lab or Zoom
Nov. 5
Speaker and topic coming soon!
11 a.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Entrepreneur Lab or Zoom
The Entrepreneur Lab is hosting OtterTank, their biannual Showcase and Competition. Apply below to show off your idea, side hustle, or business for a chance to win prize money to help support your venture! CWI students, staff, and community members are invited to highlight their ventures through elevator pitches, displays, and more at OtterTank. The finalists will be presented with their prizes on the big stage later that night. Attendees will even get to vote for their favorite business idea. Come for an inspiring evening and be surrounded by amazing ideas!
Nov. 18
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus CapEd Student Success Center (NCSC), Rooms 119/126
The entrepreneurial journey, whether you’re just starting or starting over, is better when you’re not figuring it out alone. This one-day event is for aspiring entrepreneurs, current business owners, and anyone who is building something. All are invited to be inspired!
April 27
Time and location coming soon!
Sponsored Events
The Entrepreneur Lab is happy to play a part in community events that support students, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Boise Entrepreneur Week is the largest entrepreneurial event in Idaho! This 5-day event will feature workshops, speeches, and panels for everyone no matter if you are a serial entrepreneur or just getting started. Join us to experience inspiration, information, and connections that will help you on your entrepreneurial journey. The Entrepreneur Lab will be sponsoring and participating in the BEW Youth Track on Thursday, October 2.
Sept. 28 – Oct. 2
Jack's Urban Meeting Place, Downtown Boise
Interested in attending? Contact the Entrepreneur Lab at entrepreneurlab@cwi.edu for information or click the button below.
Join us at the 6th Annual Kid Business Fair, an annual vendor market completely run by kids who come up with a business idea, set up a booth, and sell their product to the public.
June 19, 2027
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Downtown Nampa (corner of 14th Ave. S. & 1st St. S.)
The Entrepreneur Lab has been a proud sponsor of the Kid's Business Fair since 2025.
Coaching
Elevate your entrepreneurial journey with customized coaching designed to help you turn your passion into profit, refine business concepts, and achieve the next level of success. Coaching is held at the Entrepreneur Lab at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) or online. Coaching is for any entrepreneur at any level.
Exploration Coaching – Sept. 14 – 25
Do you have a hobby, skill, or passion that you love doing in your spare time? Meet with someone from the Entrepreneur Lab team for two coaching sessions to learn how to monetize it and turn it into a successful side hustle. We will teach you the first steps of starting a side hustle and show you the path to turn it into a full-blown business someday!
Idea, Set, Go – Sept. 14 – Oct. 9
Do you have an idea for a new business? Meet with someone from the Entrepreneur Lab team for four coaching sessions to help you validate your business idea to see if it is ready to launch. Before spending a lot of time and energy on an idea, this cohort will guide you through experiments and information to help you determine the best direction to go with your idea.
Next-Level Accelerator – Sept. 14 – Nov. 6
Do you have a business already started or validated? Meet with someone from the Entrepreneur Lab team for 8 coaching sessions to empower you to take your business idea to the next level. We will work side-by-side with you to dig into your business details, strengthen your value proposition, and conduct hands-on experiments to help you reach the next level.
Partnerships
Interested in supporting the Entrepreneur Lab as a member of the community? Partner with us for events, mentorship, or sponsorships.
News
Connect with Us
