Prepare students for the future
Be better equipped to get your students college and career ready. Take a deep dive into the BizInnovator Startup curriculum and modern methodologies, like Design Thinking and Lean Startup, with BizInnovator Startup professional development. Although the curriculum toolkit can be licensed without taking the online certification course, we recommend the course for its supplemental knowledge and resources. The course helps teachers fully leverage the toolkit and enhance entrepreneurship education. Plus, educators who successfully complete BizInnovator Startup professional development are certified to offer their students the opportunity to earn transferable college credit and the Innovative Leader industry recognized credential.
BizInnovator Startup professional development for certification course details
Requirements
- Licensed educator: Priority is given to licensed high school educators teaching entrepreneurship.
- Cost: $299
- Course materials: The BizInnovator Startup curriculum toolkit (Sign up and purchase the toolkit for an additional $149 if you do not already have it)
- Video conferencing: Zoom software (free)
Benefits
- No travel expenses: The course is 10 two-hour sessions held entirely online.
- Graduate credits: Choose to earn up to three graduate credit hours from the University of Iowa. Cost is an additional $149 for one credit, $279 for two credits, or $399 for three credits*.
- *Participants who opt to earn 3 graduate credits will work with instructor to create a work plan for additional work to be completed
- Certification: Upon completion, you will be certified to offer your students the opportunity to earn three transferable University of Iowa college credits as well as the Innovative Leader industry recognized credential. (Note: This is not a dual enrollment program.)
Winter/Spring 2026
Online - BizInnovator Startup Certification Program
Dates: January 20 - April 7, 2026
Time: Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Central Time.
(First class will be January 20. Nine more classes will be held on Tuesdays between January 20 and April 7, final class days TBD.)
Summer 2026
Online - BizInnovator Startup Certification Program
Dates: June 16 - July 30, 2026
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time
(Dates to hold, final 10 sessions TBD - June 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30)
Fall 2026
Online - BizInnovator Startup Certification Program
Dates: September 15 - December 1, 2026
Time: Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m Central Time.
(First class will be September 15. Nine more classes will be held on Tuesdays between September 22 and December 1, final class days TBD.)
Additional professional development opportunities
In-Person: Sprint to Invent Professional Development
Sprint to Invent professional development training is free and available to any Iowa K-12 educator who wants to learn more about infusing invention into the classroom. Educators from public schools, private schools, home schools, after-school programs, and online academies are welcome.
What to expect:
- Interactive, hands-on learning to help you seamlessly integrate invention into your teaching
- Free, ready-to-use curriculum to jumpstart your students’ invention journeys
- Tools and strategies to guide students toward participation in the Iowa Invention Convention
- Real-time collaboration with fellow educators who are implementing the program
Dates: Tuesday, June 22 OR Wednesday, June 23, 2026
Details: Free | Onsite in Iowa City, IA | One-day | food provided | Stipend reimbursement for travel
In-Person: BizInnovator Startup PD at Business Horizons
Offered in partnership with the Iowa Association for Business and Industry Foundation. Great as a stand alone or paired with online PD certification course. Observe DesignDash in action and get hands on ideas to take back to your program.
Dates for the in-person portion: July 19, 20, & 23 (Attend 1-2-3 Days - Your Choice)
Date for the online follow-up: July 24 from 9-10:30 CST via Zoom
Details: Cost is only $50! 1 optional grad credit available for $149.
Online: Sprint to Invent workshop for BizInnovator Startup curriculum users
Turn your BizInnovator Startup classroom into an innovation incubator for entrepreneurial-based AND invention-based startups!
Learn how to make the most of the invention lessons already baked into the BizInnovator Startup Curriculum in this 2 hour online workshop!
Date: September 9, 2026
Details: Free | Online | 4-6:30 p.m. CST