Stop Talking. Start Building.
Have an idea? Make it real.
The Build It Series is a hands-on innovation experience for students ready to move beyond talking about an idea and start creating something they can see, touch, use, test, or demonstrate.
Apps.
AI tools.
Physical products.
Hardware.
Games.
Digital experiences.
Consumer products.
Service prototypes.
Social innovations.
If you can build it and test it, it belongs here.
Start with the Build It Sprint, a focused evening of rapid prototyping and progress. Then keep building toward Build It Jam, a two-day build experience culminating in an interactive campus showcase.
Come with an idea, an early prototype, or something already underway. You don't need a finished product—or even a business.
You just need something you're ready to make real.
BUILD IT SPRINT
Stop Talking. Start Building.
Monday, Oct. 19 | 5:30–8 p.m.
Turn your idea into something real.
The Build It Sprint is a fast-paced, hands-on evening where students transform ideas into prototypes, minimum viable products (MVPs), experiments, or early proofs of concept.
Work individually or with a team as you design, build, test, troubleshoot, and iterate with support from BELL, ProtoStudios, mentors, faculty, and industry professionals.
The goal isn't to finish.
The goal is to make something real enough to test.
What You'll Do
• Define the smallest useful version of your idea you can build.
• Spend focused time creating and prototyping.
• Get hands-on help when you get stuck.
• Test, troubleshoot, and iterate.
• Leave with something you can demonstrate, refine, or continue developing.
You don't need a startup, a polished idea, or technical expertise to participate. Bring something you're ready to create and a willingness to get your hands dirty.
Your Runway to Build It Jam
Use the Sprint to create your first version. Keep building over the next few weeks. Then bring what you've made to Build It Jam, Nov. 6–7, for another concentrated build push before showing it off to the campus community.
Sprint participants are encouraged—but not required—to participate in the Jam.
Ready to Build?
You don't need a perfect plan.
You don't need a finished business.
You don't need to know exactly how you're going to build it.
You just need to be willing to start.
Come with an idea. Leave with something real.
BUILD IT SPRINT
Oct. 19 | 5:30–8 p.m.
BUILD IT JAM
Nov. 6–7
Presented by the BELL – Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning
Laboratory in partnership with ProtoStudios, University of Iowa
Office of Innovation.
