Pioneering Purposeful Innovation
In the fall of 2023, The W.A. Franke College of Business launched a visionary initiative to redefine purposeful innovation and entrepreneurship at Northern Arizona University. Recognizing Flagstaff’s unique position between a thriving metropolitan area and rich native heritage, this effort aims to honor multicultural roots, improve lives, create opportunities, and build a brighter future.
Our Mission
Leverage Northern Arizona University’s talent, resources, and expertise to transform bold ideas into mission-driven projects that matter; solving real-world problems, creating exceptional user experiences, generating jobs, and impacting millions of lives.
NAU Venture Studio @ Cline Library Framework
Solve for your frustrations. Solve for the world you want to live in.
NAU Venture Studio is an experiential, on-campus environment at Cline Library where students, faculty, alumni, and community partners collaborate to explore and develop new ideas. Utilizing a human-centered design methodology, the Studio fosters an entrepreneurial mindset and purposeful innovation.
Objectives
- Cultivate purpose-driven, entrepreneurial-minded innovators
- Bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application
- Develop market-ready solutions that address genuine user needs
Studio Projects
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Affordable Housing Tab Open
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Rural Health & Wellness Tab Closed
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Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Marketplace Tab Closed
Affordable Housing Accordion Open
NAU Venture Studio is embarking on a transformative affordable housing development project that addresses the pressing need for dignified, accessible housing for middle- and low-income individuals and families in Northern Arizona. Responding to the critical housing shortage identified in the ECoNA Housing Conditions & Gap Assessment (June, 2023), and the City of Flagstaff’s 10-Year Housing Plan (December, 2020) this project seeks to create sustainable, community-focused living environments that promote both economic mobility and social cohesion.
Key Objectives:
- Addressing the Housing Gap: The project will provide much-needed affordable housing units for households that are rent- and cost-burdened, specifically targeting those earning below the area median income (AMI).
- Building Dignified Living Spaces: Designed with a focus on human dignity, the development will incorporate sustainable materials, modern amenities, and communal spaces to ensure that residents can take pride in their homes.
- Fostering Community Engagement: Beyond providing housing, the project will foster community building through shared spaces, community programs, and access to resources that support personal growth, financial independence, and workforce development.
- Innovative Economic Model: The project will integrate entrepreneurial and educational opportunities that allow residents to develop skills, pursue new career paths, and actively participate in the region’s economic ecosystem.
Rural Health & Wellness Accordion Closed
Coming soon!
Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Marketplace Accordion Closed
NAU Venture Studio plans to tackle the lack of compliance and accountability in Arizona’s K-12 ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account) program with a web and mobile marketplace designed to help families access and manage ESA funds efficiently and transparently. The marketplace connects parents with pre-approved vendors offering accredited schools, educational programs, tutors, extracurricular activities, and special needs services. With built-in compliance tools, personalized recommendations, and a secure transaction system, the ESA Marketplace makes the complex task of educational fund management easy and reliable.
Key Objectives:
- Vetted Marketplace: Only pre-approved, accredited vendors offering educational services and products are listed.
- Direct ESA Payments: Parents can directly pay vendors from their ESA accounts with automated compliance checks and receipt generation.
- Fund Tracking and Reporting: Real-time ESA balance tracking with downloadable compliance reports for state audits.
- Personalized Recommendations: AI-driven suggestions based on student profiles, learning needs, and past purchases.
- Reviews and Ratings: Verified customer reviews for each vendor and service to ensure transparency and quality.
- Mobile App Integration: Native mobile apps for iOS and Android with push notifications and seamless transactions.