transform today's nesting ideas into innovations that soar above the rest!
Applications are Closed for 2025.

Explore creative methods for developing your own ideas to address community needs, solve global challenges, or produce the next best-selling product on the market!

Join Baker Institute facilitators for this six-week summer intensive designed to help Lehigh students from any discipline develop a problem-solving mindset centered around:

observing challenges and discovering problems through the practice of empathy,
identifying the characteristics and boundaries that define the problem,
proposing solutions using creative ideation exercises to discover the most viable one,
developing prototypes that effectively address the problem criteria,
testing and iterating on the idea for continuous improvement.

The Design Thinking process can be used by anyone and everyone to approach nearly any challenge, which is why it is at the core of this program. Whether you want to create new products and services to launch your own business one day or you are interested in building your resume for your future career, the Hatchery is for you!

Actively apply knowledge you've gained from your studies.

Investigate human-centered approaches to problem-solving.

Connect with peers and professionals from our community and beyond.

wait, there's more!

the hatchery is ALSO a
game-changer on your resume...

Students who've completed the Hatchery often tell us that sharing their Hatchery experience with employers during an interview helped them land a job. Your six weeks with us is more than a line item under experience! It's also:

Completion of expert-led training in Design Thinking and problem solving
Development of live pitching and presentation skills
Knowledge and application of lean startup methods and basics in entrepreneurship
Experience in prototyping and testing

COST - free

AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP WITH LIVING EXPENSES, TOO!

The best part of an all-inclusive experience like this one? You have unlimited access to all the perks for one price! The best part of our all-inclusive Hatchery experience? The price is zero!

The Hatchery is a free opportunity for Lehigh University students who apply and are accepted into the 2025 cohort. The application is open to all students from every year and major across campus.

For students who need financial support to secure living accommodations during this full time six-week program in the summer term, the Baker Institute offers cost of living grants to those who qualify with a demonstrated need. Once we understand your needs (we'll ask for more info in the application) we will provide direct financial support as well as assistance in identifying other financial support opportunities.

Please keep in mind:

You will not be asked to commit to the program until any cost of living grants or financial support have been finalized
Applications will be reviewed needs blind meaning requests for cost of living grants will not affect our decision about you as a candidate for the program
The program occurs between 9am-5pm Monday - Friday allowing participants to hold a job during non program hours