Launchpad

Ni2’s biz accelerator guides individuals and teams through carefully crafted hurdles that drastically improves the quality, effectiveness, and impact of their projects.

Story from Aileen (42:15) - My team’s default approach when faced with a problem is to find the solution. We didn’t sit through the question or the problem. When Launchpad was introduced to us, it allowed us to suspend that reflex of finding the solution. Instead, Launchpad operationalizes the concept of sitting through the question or problem, which is really about focusing on the stakeholders. The first five hurdles of the Launchpad was a complete revelation for us - what we initially realized as a team was that we didn’t know who we wanted to serve. What the five hurdles allowed us to do was to have all of us in the team agree on something in common that should be focused on, and it has resulted in more appropriate, responsive solutions to the needs and constraints of those we wanted to serve.

Sandbox

Where participants can share their own innovative projects, solutions, and ideas and extend invitations for open collaboration with the entire Ni2 Community .

Story from Andre (56:15) - Sandbox helps us create a steady supply of ideas and market opportunities that are ready to go into Launchpad. What happens often is somebody comes into Ni2, and they don’t have an idea about what a good idea is to launch. Even if we have teams that already have ideas about what to launch, what happens here is that you get a constant stream of new ideas and new opportunities that are already filtered and qualified, so they are market-driven.

Daily Flights

Daily webinars where participants can share their challenges and struggles with the entire Ni2 Community, and receive guidance on how to move their project forward.

Story from Miguel (59:30) - In one Daily Flight, we had someone from the audience who sold computers, and our guest was somebody who sold watches in malls - she was sharing where she was stuck because of the pandemic. This person who was selling computers actually had some ideas for her. After the session ended, they actually stayed on, had a conversation, and worked on some possible solutions. I was not expecting that, since it was such an odd mix of people, but what I learned is that this format really opens up these opportunities for people to actually help you and give you a different perspective on things. And that’s what we love about the potluck format - the fact that we never really know what’s going to happen, because it’s never scripted.

Superpower 6

The 6 core competencies that every Filipino needs in order to innovate are cultivated in Ni2. 

Story from Aly (1:07:50) - My favorite, and most challenging superpower at the same time, is Mapping Zones of Opportunity. I can relate to it because I honestly believe that I still have a lot to learn. This is my favorite superpower because it challenges me to expand my thinking outside of the box, by creating concept maps of what needs to be done. Since the industry that we’re trying to penetrate is unfamiliar to me, the ideas and inputs that my team gives off, challenges me to understand and learn things through the process. So that’s why it’s my favorite - as it gives me a sense of purpose to continuously learn.

Time Machine

Nurtures and develops each participants’ personal Genius, Purpose, and Service - their guide to leading a life of fulfillment and impact.

Story from Andre (1:13:45) - Launchpad is the rocketship, but GPS is the heart and soul of the Ni2 experience. GPS grounds all of our innovations, problem-solving, all our work and careers, on deeply personal truths. What are those truths: Genius, Purpose, and Service. These are not just blind words that we use. There is a deeply introspective process, which can be seen in the Bridges Team - even though not having completed a 100-day cycle, they still experience this deep transformation. What if we can endow and gift our students, our alumni, even our faculty and broader school community, with these kinds of experiences, in 100-day cycles?

Peak/X Lounge

A virtual community lounge to help manage the mental health pains that we all go through in work and in life. 

Story from Andre (1:15:10) - Nowadays, we’re all going through our share of stress, anxiety, depression; even the best of us. This pandemic has unmasked that, but in a good way. This pandemic has unmasked our vulnerability and our foundational need to take care, on a daily basis, about things like mindfulness, breathing, and wellness. In Ni2, over the 100-day cycle, every day, Monday to Friday, three times a day, you are welcome to join us if you’re a member of the community, to these wellness sessions.

Marketplace

Thanks to technology, participants can find the right career opportunities that fit their skills, interests, passions, and career paths. 

Story from Andre (1:16:15) - This is where we use data and algorithms to power recommendation engines. For example, for those of us who shop in Amazon - when we buy this particular thing, prompts tell us to check out similar things. That is a recommendation engine that is powered by data and smart algorithms, and we have the same thing in Ni2. This is priority access to projects, collaborations, partnerships, gigs, jobs, funding, and other accelerated career opportunities.