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Talk about your project with as many people as possible, as often as possible. I t he lps refine your th ink ing and better communicate your  goals and approach.

Connections, connections, connections! St rong co l labora t ions , de te rmined team members , and suppor t i ve facu l ty members a re a g rea t boon   i n bu i ld ing an effect i ve team, wh ich w i l l a id in the success o f your idea .

Don't be afraid to fail early and often. This is how you learn, develop, and grow.

Do things the right way the first time! Make sure to have the legal f ramework to protect you and your company or idea.

Think long-term. Bui ld a company that wi l l be as meaningfu l to you in five years as i t is to you today.  

Let other people make mistakes, even if you think you could have done it better. In a team sett ing, i t 's important to g ive other team  members the opportuni ty to t ry out the i r ideas, even i f they don't turn out as expected.

Bring up team problems quickly. Regu la r l y shar ing feedback w i th each  other and d iscuss ing your b igges t concer ns may c rea te momenta ry tens ion , bu t i t keeps th ings runn ing smooth ly in the   l ong run .

Micro-management is inefficient. Working on a pro ject wi th so many moving parts makes you real ize you can't contro l everyth ing. You need to bui ld a team  and delegate.

Spend a lot of time personally getting to know the people you’re trying to benefit. Without the i r approva l and suppor t , i t wou ld be ve ry d ifficu l t to make  a long- te rm pos i t i ve impact in the i r l i ves .  

You can't be everywhere at the same time. Decide where you are most effect ive, and af ter that be sat isfied that you are making the best use of your t ime and  energy.  

Be kind to yourself so you can be generous with others. You need to be in a good menta l state to be able to make an impact and assist others.

Be patient and flexible, but persistent. When you’re t ry ing to make big changes or are work ing in an unfami l iar context , th ings wi l l move and change s lowly. This wi l l g ive you an opportuni ty to be more reflect ive, effect ive, and capable in the long run.

Make sure to get buy-in and input from all key stakeholders. Lis ten to cr i t ic isms and be open to learn ing f rom others .

Manage expectations. Be honest about chal lenges or  delays.

Show your incomplete work to potential investors. Show  your incomplete and ear ly work to potent ia l investors so they can see your progress.

Contributors Aquaport (2009) ARAM/mHealth India (2014) Asadeep (2013) Assured Labor (2009) Augmented Infant Resuscitator (2013) The BeTH Project (2012) Demining Tool Kit (2003) Du’Anyam (2014) Essmart (2013) First Step Coral (2006) Ghana: Science in Action (2014)

GridForm (2014) Kepler Tech Lab (2015) LoveGrain (2013) Mantra Medical (2005) Nama (2013) New Dots (2007) Prepify (2015) Protoprint (2014) SafiOrganics (2014) Sensen (2015) TulipMed (2003) VacPac (2005)

Illustration

Design and Creative Direction

Copy editing

Research

Program Coordinator

Nathan Cooke

Laura Chichisan

Natalie Britton

Laura Chichisan

Carolyn Escobar Kent

Keely Swan