Bridging the Gap From Idea to Early-Stage Startup: The Start to Spark Challenge Case Study at IST

Filipa Heleno Serrano Catita Neves

Key information

Authors:

Filipa Heleno Serrano Catita Neves (Filipa Heleno Serrano Catita Neves)

Supervisors:

Ana Catarina Lopes Vieira Godinho de Matos (Ana Vieira); Hugo Humberto Plácido da Silva (Hugo Humberto Plácido da Silva)

Published in

November 13, 2025

Abstract

University-level innovation and entrepreneurship education often favors students with existing ideas or teams, limiting opportunities for beginners and early-stage learning. This thesis addresses this pre-ideation gap by presenting Start to Spark, a structured innovation program at Instituto Superior Técnico that supports student entrepreneurship and multidisciplinary collaboration in health technologies. Developed with Design-Based Research, the program included eleven students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds, selected for motivation and collaboration. Teams completed a 16-week, six-phase curriculum, from need identification to market analysis and pitching, supported by Notion’s digital platform and expert mentorship. Experiential learning and Lean Startup methodologies were prioritized. Results showed significant gains in Health Technology Knowledge, with moderate improvements in creative, entrepreneurial, and enterprising skills. Interviews indicated growth in evidence-based reasoning, teamwork, and prototyping confidence. Start to Spark demonstrates that a structured, mentorship-supported approach can bridge the pre-ideation gap, equipping students with essential skills before ideation. The program offers a replicable model for broadening access to innovation education in academic settings.