ImpactLab: Empowering First-Time Entrepreneurs
The ImpactLab is a hybrid system designed to empower entrepreneurial students in The Hague by connecting them to resources, providing mentorship, and fostering a sense of belonging. The project involved designing a digital platform, organizing the Impact After Hours event, and creating event execution guidelines to ensure its scalability and success. Additionally, a series of Instagram posts were launched to promote the initiative and inspire students to take part.
Client:
ImpactCity
Timeline:
2024, Q4
(15 weeks)
Responsibilities:
UX Strategy, Visual Design, Scrum Master
Project Type:
Service Design, Scrum
Problem: Bridging the Gap in Entrepreneurial Support
Student entrepreneurship is rising – 8% of students in the Netherlands start a business during their studies.
Aspirations outpace resources – 60% of students aim to become entrepreneurs, but many struggle to access structured support.
Existing systems fall short – Only 32% of student entrepreneurs find current resources sufficient, highlighting the need for a seamless digital-first experience.
Research Methodology
Stakeholder Interviews: Conducted 10+ sessions with municipal representatives, startup founders, and ecosystem leaders.
Competitor Benchmarking: Analyzed StartupAmsterdam, PLNT Leiden, and other incubators.
User Research: Observed startup engagement at ImpactFest 2024 & Apollo 14 incubator.
Persona Development: Defined two key user groups—Dreamers and Starters.
Key Insights
Information Overload: Students feel overwhelmed by scattered resources.
Lack of Digital Integration: No existing system unifies online and offline support.
Need for a Personalized Journey: Users want a clear, structured path that adapts to their business stage.
Prototyping & Testing Phases
Wireframes & User Journeys: Developed low-fidelity sketches to map interactions.
High-Fidelity UI Design: Created a sleek, minimalist interface optimized for clarity.
Interactive Prototypes: Built clickable Figma models for user validation.
Usability Testing: Conducted 3 rounds of iterative testing with students & stakeholders.
ImpactLab Digital Platform
Personalized Onboarding: Users receive a tailored startup growth plan.
Resource Aggregator: Suggestions for relevant funding, events, and mentors.
Seamless UI/UX: Mobile-optimized, dark/light mode adaptable, accessibility-friendly.
Integrated Offline Engagement
Impact After Hours: A recurring structured networking event.
University-Based Hubs: Physical co-working spaces linked to the platform.
Real-Time Event Integration: Users access live startup events directly through ImpactLab.
Final Design: How It Works
ImpactLab guides students through a personalized entrepreneurial roadmap by curating relevant resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
Users receive customized recommendations based on their business stage, ensuring they get structured support at the right time.
Through Impact After Hours, students gain access to structured networking events that foster connections with mentors, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs in an engaging, real-world setting.
Stakeholder Response & Validation
Endorsed by The Hague Municipality for potential real-world application.
Scalable Model adaptable for other entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.
User Enthusiasm: High engagement in usability tests & event pilot phase.
Reflection: Lessons Learned
Scrum fosters adaptability – Iterative design cycles allowed us to refine ImpactLab efficiently.
Collaboration drives success – Stakeholder engagement and cross-functional teamwork strengthened the platform’s impact.
Hybrid experiences enhance usability – Blending digital tools with physical spaces created a more engaging and accessible solution.
