ProgramsSpring 2024 Industry Capstone ProgramProjectsLab_Indigo Regenerative Crops and Sustainable Products

Project Title: Lab_Indigo Regenerative Crops and Sustainable Products

Lab Indigo

Details
Project Title Lab_Indigo Regenerative Crops and Sustainable Products
Project Topics Corporate Social Responsibility Customer Service & Account Management Growth Strategy Legal, Regulatory, Compliance Marketing Product Design & Development Sales & Business Development
Skills & Expertise
Project Synopsis: Challenge/Opportunity
This project is with Lab Indigo, a sustainable eco-fashion brand that works with indigenous weavers creating woven textiles.

Company Information:

Produces naturally-dyed threads that are used by a team of weavers - mostly women in different regions of Guatemala; helping them acquire and earn income directly from their homes. Lab Indigo aims to enhance educational, collaborative and cultural work done with weavers, institutions and associations that seek to promote the same principles.

Having a long experience in Fiber Arts and community and sustainable business projects in the artisan industry, Lab Indigo was born with the intention to consolidate knowledge and continue with hand made luxury artisan work and develop circular economy projects.

To learn more about this company, check out their Instagram! @indigocustomtextile

Project Information: 

Lab Indigo will work to implement through three main aspects:

  • Value added process to generate income 
  • Revitalize cultural and agricultural aspects of different communities in Guatemala through three different crops 
  • Sustainable practices and production methods
Investment Projection:

  • $50,000 6 months 
  • $100,000 1 year 
  • $500,000 3 years
Plan of Action: 
  • Grow sustainable crops 
  • Enhance Lab/Studio work for product and project development 
  • Look for niche markets 
  • Educational programs 
  • Build a world class textile collection

We aim to complete all the steps from the seed to the finished product with a sustainable approach, integrating a circular economy model that can result in quality products, good environmental practices, generating income for rural indigenous artisans and farmers in different regions of Guatemala. The challenge is how to maintain economically viable while waiting for harvesting time.
Project Synopsis: Activities/Actions Required
First, we need to find the proper available agriculture land and seeds to start the plantation of the best Indigo in the world (Indigofera Guatemalensis and Indigofera suffruticosa), and Brown Cotton (Hirsitum and Linen crops). 

In the meantime that the crops develop, finding appropriate clients and niches to promote our future harvested and processed fibers and dye. In addition, we need to promote our finished textile products, workshops on natural dyes and doing consulting.
Project Synopsis: Expected Results
To achieve successful crops and become suppliers of the three products of our harvest, which we would have in 8 months. Additionally, find customers and niches for our sustainable luxury finished products already in production.
 

Project Timeline

Lab Indigo - Lab_Indigo Regenerative Crops and Sustainable Products
Due Date
Activities
Deliverables
Status
Action
Tue, 01/02/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Initial Onboarding Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The application for the Industry Capstone Program closed on December 29th. Starting on January 2nd, the Graduate Management Team will begin reviewing student resumes and applications. Over the next week or so, students will receive individualized emails with their project match, registration information, and next steps.

Once a student accepts their project match, they will be manually registered for the correct section of MGT 809. Please note that this is a three-credit course. Afterwards, students will be e-introduced to their faculty advisor, MBA (team) Lead, and student team members. 

If you have any questions regarding our application matching process, please email businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 

All matched students will receive an email before January 12, 2024.
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
First Day of Classes & Academic Calendar
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Location: Virtual
Event Description:
The first day of classes is January 17, 2024. All matched students will have received their project match and onboarding information (via email) prior to this date. Most teams will have their initial, virtual, meeting within the coming week or so.

Students should be checking their Stevens email for important messages from their faculty advisor, MBA Lead, and Kate Marsden (Manager, Industry Capstone Program). Students should also view/save a copy of the academic calendar so that they are aware of important dates for the semester ahead:

https://www.stevens.edu/office-of-the-registrar/academic-calendar
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Stevens Brand Guidelines
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The Stevens Brand Guidelines webpage is a helpful resource to utilize throughout the semester!

https://www.stevens.edu/brandguide

Feel free to download a virtual background (from this webpage) to utilize for Zoom meetings with your faculty advisor, student team, and corporate partner(s). We also encourage students to utilize a professional background for the midterm & final presentations.

MBA Leads: Please download the PowerPoint Presentation Template for your midterm and final presentations. Kate Marsden will also contact each MBA Lead, prior to these presentations, with instructions & specifics.
Wed, 01/17/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Industry Capstone Program Webpage & Resources
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
For information regarding the Industry Capstone Program, please visit the following link:

https://www.stevens.edu/industry-capstone

If you need any support, throughout the semester, please contact Kate Marsden. Kate is the Manager for the Industry Capstone Program and can be reached via email at businessprojects@stevens.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. She is also available for 1-1 appointments, upon request, either via Zoom or on-campus. 
Sat, 02/10/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Pre-Kick-off Self-Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Student Pre-Kick Off Self Evaluation | January 2024

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

Ideally, students should complete this form as early as possible in the Spring 2024 Semester. We understand that the first 1-2 weeks of the semester are typically spent onboarding, getting to know your team members, etc. This form will be available until 01/31/24 at 11:59 PM EST.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Fri, 02/23/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
#1 Student Temperature Check | January - February 2024

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Mon, 03/18/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Midterm Presentation Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
The chronological mid-way point of the semester is March 6th. Ideally, midterm presentations should be held during the weeks of March 18th or March 25th. No presentations will be held during the week of spring break. 

Kate Marsden will outreach to each MBA Lead to determine the best day & time for a virtual, midterm presentation. Once a day/time is solidified, she will send the faculty advisor & student team members a calendar invite with a Zoom link. She will also send the MBA Lead for each team important instructions and best practices for a successful presentation. Each presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes: students will have about 20-25 minutes to present, followed by Q&A from our Stevens Graduate Management Team.

Please note that corporate partners are not included in the midterm presentations, just the final presentations in May.
Mon, 04/01/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Midterm Presentation Submission
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Description:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their midterm presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Deliverable Instructions:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their midterm presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Mon, 04/01/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Final Presentation Information
No Deliverables
No deliverables are required for this action item.
Description:
Kate Marsden will outreach to each MBA Lead, in early April, to schedule final presentations. 

Once a day/time is solidified, she will send the faculty advisor, corporate partner, and student team members a calendar invite with a Zoom link. She will also send the MBA Lead for each team important instructions and best practices for a successful presentation. Each presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes: students will have about 20-25 minutes to present, followed by Q&A from our Stevens Graduate Management Team and corporate partner.
Fri, 04/05/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Temperature Check
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
#2 Student Temperature Check | Post-Midterm Presentation

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Tue, 05/14/24
12:00 AM EST (UTC-05:00)
Final Presentation Submission
Required Action Item
Required Deliverable
Deliverable submission is required.
View Calendar
Description:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their final presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support.
Deliverable Instructions:
The MBA Lead for each team is responsible for uploading a copy of their final presentation here. If you have any questions or issues, please email Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support
Tue, 05/14/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Student Post-Engagement Self-Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Student Self Reflection Survey | End of Spring 2024 Semester

All Industry Capstone Program students are encouraged to complete surveys, via CapSource, throughout the semester. These surveys help provide our Graduate Management Team with important feedback about the course and overall experience.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. 
Fri, 05/17/24
11:59 PM EST (UTC-05:00)
Industry Mentor Post-Engagement Team Assessment Form
Required Evaluation
Evaluation submission is required.
View
Description:
Thank you for participating in our Industry Capstone Program, this Spring 2024 Semester. If interested, please complete the following survey to describe your experience. If you have any questions or additional feedback, please contact Kate Marsden at businessprojects@stevens.edu for support. Wishing you a great summer ahead!