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What is Ideation?
Ideation is the creative generation, development and communication of new ideas for product or service innovations or updates, which can be visual, concrete or abstract. As such, it is an essential part of a design process and is defined as the third phase of a design thinking process (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test). Ideation is typically an interactive, collaborative process in which multiple participants come together to address problems with an open mind in a facilitated, non-judgmental environment using methods such as brainstorming, brainwriting, Worst Possible Idea, sketching or prototyping.
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Why is it important for entrepreneurs and businesses?

Ideation supports entrepreneurs and companies in developing ideas for products and services as well as business models, which then have to be put through their paces in a further step (see also Module 2: Minimum Viable Product). Ideation is therefore important for start-ups for their initial developments as well as for entrepreneurs who want to develop their business further.

Do you want to learn more about the concept behind?

| Course/source title | Objective | Author | Link | | ------------------- | --------- | ------ | ---- | | DesignIT<br><br>app-based learning game for promoting design thinking mindsets | Empowering entrepreneurship education in higher education by creative interdisciplinary project based learning with gamified design thinking approaches | Erasmus+ project <br>“DesignIT” | [https://projectdesignit.eu/](https://projectdesignit.eu/) | | CreatINNES<br><br>Free course module “Creative Thinking for innovation” (available in EN, DE, FR and other languages) | Providing support for CCI start-ups and freelancers by linking creativity and business knowledge | Erasmus+ project “CreatINNES” | [https://moodle.creatinnes.eu/](https://moodle.creatinnes.eu/) | | Toolkit<br><br>“Design Thinking for developing your business ideas” | Facilitating the development of mind-set and skills among young people.<br><br>Toolkit to use on the go and try out and test ideas rapidly without major time and resource investment. | Erasmus+ project <br>“Youth BIZ Skillset” | [https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/project-result-content/fcfc45c8-a87b-43da-87da-1efbdd09943a/toolkit_eng.pdf](https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/project-result-content/fcfc45c8-a87b-43da-87da-1efbdd09943a/toolkit_eng.pdf) |
Do you want to learn more about the concept behind?
There are plenty of free courses on Ideation. To learn more, we recommend you consulting:
Click here to see all the tools
Ideation
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Ideaflip

Idealflip let you create and edit sticky notes online together with your team. It helps you collect new ideas, organize your thoughts and visions, comment on them and vote on them. All you need to do is take post-its and then group them manually or connect them with either preset or freely drawn shapes.

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Ideation
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Mindmeister

With Mindmeister you can build mind-mapping digitally. All you need to remember are 2 key combinations that will let you create new branches as well as new subcategories. You will learn how to insert and also change the content, color code as well as insert emojis or even videos to make the whole thing more attractive. Thus, you'll turn boring mind maps into something more visually appealing masterpiece.

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Ideation
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Adobe Fresco

Adobe Fresco is a drawing and painting program. You can start with a free trial and upgrade to a paid version. It is perfect for people with artistic interest, who like to sketch their ideas and working process in a more creative way. Adobe Fresco has various brushes and other interesting functionalities you can use for designing your thoughts.

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Ideation
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Popplet

Popplet is open and free to use. You can collect your first ideas and share them with others. You will learn how you can present your content in Popplet and collect your ideas and thoughts with text, images, video, drawings and draw the relations between each other. The presentation mode is rather unusual for a mindmapping tool, but very practical. Popplet is easy to use and ideal for beginners. You can use it for different and creative purposes. Whether it is in the classroom with your students or for ideation, brainstorming and creating ideas for your new business.

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Ideation
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Padlet

Padlet is perfect to use for interactive teamwork. It is a digital bulletin board that allows you to include images, texts, drawings and links. Padlet offers some predesigned templates for beginners, which you can use right away. Besides, you can chat with the participants while you work together on your digital pinboard. You can easily customize the title, layout, as well as private settings.

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Ideation
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Ideaflip

Idealflip let you create and edit sticky notes online together with your team. It helps you collect new ideas, organize your thoughts and visions, comment on them and vote on them. All you need to do is take post-its and then group them manually or connect them with either preset or freely drawn shapes.

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