Embedded Files
Virtual Idea Accelerator ProgramA collaboration between the Beaver Valley, Fayette, Harrisburg, Mon Valley (Greater Allegheny),
Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, and York LaunchBoxes
Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, and York LaunchBoxes
Welcome to Idea TestLab.
Welcome to Idea TestLab.
Idea TestLab is a hands-on venture-testing accelerator. Over the next four weeks, you’ll challenge assumptions, learn directly from potential customers and stakeholders, and use evidence to make better decisions about your venture.
You are not expected to enter the program with all the answers. In fact, one of the most valuable things you can discover during Idea TestLab is that something you believed about your customer, their problem, or your solution isn’t quite right.
That’s progress.
Throughout the program, we’ll work to replace:
“I think…”
with:
“Here’s what I learned…”
Before our first Lab, you'll need to complete the four Start Here steps below in order.
Estimated total time: approximately 2 hours.
Step 1: Capture Your Starting Point.
Complete Your Venture Snapshot.
Do this before watching or reading any of the customer-discovery materials below.
Before watching or reading any of the customer discovery materials below, complete your Venture Snapshot. We want to capture what you believe about your venture right now, before you begin testing those beliefs.
There are no right answers. Don't research, overthink, or try to give us the answer you think we're looking for.
Later in Idea TestLab, you'll complete the Snapshot again and compare where you started with what you've learned.
Step 2: Learn the Customer Discovery Mindset
Customer Discovery Primer
Before you begin testing your idea, it’s important to understand what customer discovery is — and what it is not.
Watch the Customer Discovery 101: Introductory Video.
2. Read Talking to Humans, Part 1: “The Story,” pages 14–29.
As you read, notice what the founders thought they knew at the beginning — and what changed once they started gathering evidence.
Step 3: Spot Your Assumptions
Watch the Customer Discovery 101: List Your Assumptions Video.
2. Complete Customer Discovery 101 Workbook: Business Assumptions Template, page 3.
The workbook and videos from above are from an asynchronous resource that we often use for Customer Discovery. We will be using parts of this workbook in Idea TestLab.
The workbook organizes assumptions around three useful areas:
the problem or need,
who has the problem or need,
and why the problem/need hasn’t already been solved.
For this section, only do page 3. Do not rank or prioritize your assumptions yet. Bring your completed list to Lab 1. We’ll work together to determine which assumptions create the greatest risk for your venture and which ones you should investigate first.
Step 4: Build Your Discovery Starting Line
Who could you learn from?
You are not conducting customer interviews yet. In Lab 1, we’ll work together on who you should interview, what you need to learn from them, and how to ask questions that produce useful evidence rather than polite feedback.
For now, identify at least 10 people or types of people you may be able to learn from during your first round of customer discovery.
Your list might include:
Potential customers or users
Buyers or decision-makers
People who influence the purchase decision
People who currently experience the problem you want to solve
Other stakeholders who may help you better understand the customer or problem
You do not need to know 10 specific people yet. For example, “independent restaurant owners” or “HR directors at mid-sized companies” can count as a starting point. But begin thinking about how you might reach them.
For each person or group, jot down:
Who could I learn from?
Why are they relevant?
How might I reach them?
Do not contact or interview anyone yet. Bring your list to Lab 1.
OUR SPONSORS
OUR SPONSORS
Prize money for the ITL Pitch Finals on November 10 was generously donated by First National Bank.
Educational materials for the Idea TestLab have been provided through a grant from Penn State Bookstore
Invent Penn State is a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success.
This project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community & Economic Development.
© 2026 Invent Penn State
Page updated
Report abuse