i4X
i4X, or Innovating for X, is an OIC-led program series designed to bring multidisciplinary student teams to collaborate on disruptive solutions to real-world challenges across different sectors. Currently, The Basement offers the following tracks:
- Innovating for Industry (i4I)
- Innovating for Society (i4S)
- Innovating for Government (i4G)
Past partnerships include JLabs, Radicle Science, City of San Diego, and San Diego Zoo. The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate UC San Diego students seeking a dedicated focus on creative problem solving through the lens of entrepreneurship.
Hear from our participants and partners about their past projects! Watch Now.
i4x Program Details
Winter/Spring Quarter 2024: January 8 - May 24 2024- Location: Design & Innovation Building, - Room 208 and The Basement - Room 151
- AIP 197: 4 units
- 20 weekly class meetings (in-person)
- Application Opens in early November - Enroll with the Academic Internship Program.
Winter & Spring 2024 Projects
A full description of all projects for Winter & Spring 2024 can be found here.
How to Apply:
-
All current UC San Diego students (both undergraduate and graduate) in good academic standing are encouraged to apply
Applications for the 2024 i4x program are now closed.
Course Description
i4X is a two quarter-long program that is designed to bring multidisciplinary teams of students together to create disruptive solutions to real-world challenges provided by regional and national partners (e.g. large corporations, small and medium enterprises, governmental agencies/ municipalities and non-profit organizations.)
Students will take part in Essentials of Entrepreneurship & Innovation learning new ways of thinking, learn to drive innovative initiatives, and approach business challenges with a fresh perspective.
Participants in the i4X are encouraged to think broadly about the disruptions and challenges they see around them, those that affect a large number of people, and those that provide the greatest opportunity for impact.
The course learning objectives are:
- Understand Lean Startup Principles
- Understand how to solve complex problems
- Understand entrepreneurial mindset and models
- Understand design thinking and ideation
- Understand how to develop a prototype of the solution
- Understand how to communicate and lead the project
Why You Should Join
- Unique opportunity to have hands-on experience solving complex real-world problems curated by regional community partners
- Fine tune career readiness skills in an experiential learning environment
- Strengthen problem-solving and communication skills
- Opportunity to network with Basement mentors and community partners
- CCR and AIP 197 credit available
Next Opportunity - Fall 2024
Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort will be available at the beginning of Fall 2024.
Dates & Duration
Winter 2024 cohort runs from January 2024 - May 2024
Winter 2024 Cohort Important Dates
- Early November: Application opens
- Mid November 2023: Application deadline
- Late Fall 2023: Final decisions
Curriculum
Winter 2024 - Class Schedule
| Module | Date | Start | End | Location | Lecture Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/9/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Introduction to Essentials of Entrepreneurship |
| 2 | 1/16/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 3 | 1/23/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Business Modeling |
| 4 | 1/30/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 5 | 2/6/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Intellectual Property |
| 6 | 2/13/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 7 | 2/20/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Financing Your Startup - Part 1 |
| 8 | 2/27/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 9 | 3/5/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Presentation Skills & Power of Startup Narrative |
Spring 2024 - Class Schedule
| Module | Date | Start | End | Location | Lecture Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4/2/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 2 | 4/9/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Design Thinking & Opportunity Framing |
| 3 | 4/16/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 4 | 4/23/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Customer Discovery |
| 5 | 4/30/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Partner check-in meeting & Team working session |
| 6 | 5/7/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 208 | Prototyping |
| 7 | 5/14/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Final Presentations & Deliverables |
| 8 | 5/23/24 | 4:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. | DIB - 151 | Demo Day |
Eligibility, Requirements, and Time Commitment
Eligibility
Open to current UC San Diego undergraduate and graduate students.
Requirements
- Must be a current UC San Diego student
- Regular check-in meetings with team, challenge partner, and Basement staff
- Attend in-person workshops and events
- Participate in monthly team presentations and The Basement’s end of the year showcase in Spring Quarter
- Full listing of program requirements will be available in Canvas for admitted participants
Time Commitment
This is a faced paced course! The program includes assigned reading/videos, and in-class lectures/discussions, and group meetings. Participants have to attend a kickoff meeting with the challenge partner in late november.
Earn Academic Internship Credit
Enroll with the Academic Internship Program.
Winter Quarter 2024
Internship Dates: January 8, 2024 - March 18, 2024
|
Application Deadlines |
Dates |
|
Submit Learning Agreement to AIP via InternLink |
December 1, 2023 |
|
EASy Request |
December 8, 2023 |
|
Enroll via WebReg |
January 8, 2024 |
Spring Quarter 2024
Internship Dates: April 1, 2024 - June 7, 2024
|
Application Deadlines |
Dates |
|
Submit Learning Agreement to AIP via InternLink |
March 1, 2024 |
EASy Request |
March 8, 2024 |
|
Enroll via WebReg |
April 1, 2024 |
Dates are subject to change. Stay updated by visiting:
- AIP Enrollment Drop-in Hours
- Learning Agreement Submission
- Enrollment & Registration Calendar 2023-2024
Send questions about AIP enrollment to the Academic Internship Program via the Virtual Advising Center.
Alternative Coursework Credit
Co-Curricular Record (CCR)
UC San Diego has an official record called the Co-Curricular Record (CCR) which highlights student involvement and achievements in opportunities beyond the classroom. I4X program is a co-curricular record (CCR) approved.
How to apply: Students can request the Co-Curricular Record (CCR) with the academic transcript through the Registrar or print an unofficial PDF copy through the CCR Portal.
Micro Badging
Participants will have the opportunity to earn micro badging on specific skill sets listed in the challenge description. Digital badges allow students to showcase certain achievements they have gained through academic coursework and experiential learning. Earners of digital badges can share or display their badges on various online platforms such as LinkedIn and e-portfolios.
Past Projects
Fall 2022 - Winter 2023
Want to see what some past challenges were for 2022 - 2023? Learn more.
Winter - Spring 2022
- JLab: Brand Audit & Analysis
- San Diego International Airport: Business plan for vacant space above the Rental Car Center
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Machine Learning & Data Analytics, Arboreal Feeding Strategies and Automatic Feeding Strategies
- SANDAG: Community-Based Secured Micromobility Storage
- RunBuggy: Reducing Carbon Emissions Using an Automotive Transportation Digital Marketplace
- Radical Science: Creating an Innovative Approach for Collecting and Analyzing Biometric Sleep Data
Winter - Spring 2021
- City of Chula Vista: Support Implementation of Open Data Program & Governance Standards
- Port of San Diego: Designing for Parking Lots of the Future
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Machine Learning & Data Analytics
- San Diego International Airport: In-terminal hydroponic garden for concessions use
- City of Carlsbad: Micro-Targeting for Civic Good
Summer 2020*
- SANDAG: COVID-19 Impacts on Transportation and the Environment
- City of San Diego: Municipal: Microgrid Planning
- Katerva, Greenbuild & Miller Hull: Novel Building Materials
- San Diego International Airport: Methods to help passengers with varying levels of ability get from the curb to gate
*Note: These projects were part of a pilot program of the Converge Summer Incubator program.
