Program Dates*
April 9 - 11, 2026
Location*
Virtual- Live Online
Investment: Cost is per participant and includes program materials. General registration discounts are available for Pepperdine students, alumni, veterans, and previous Executive Education program participants. Please "Request Information" or contact execed@pepperdine.edu for additional information.
Achievement: A certificate of completion and digital badge is awarded upon successful completion of the program. This program does not carry academic units/credits.
*Dates and locations may change. We will notify participants of any changes in a timely manner.
DAY ONE:
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Capstone Project Review
As a key part of this program, you will complete a Capstone Project that puts your learning into action. You’ll identify a real-world opportunity, develop a viable concept, and create a launch strategy, culminating in a presentation of your innovation plan. This project allows you to apply the frameworks and tools from the program while gaining hands-on experience in leading an idea from concept to market.
Foundations of Product Innovation, and Defining the Innovation Objective Analysis & Market Research
This session lays the groundwork for successful product innovation by helping participants distinguish between theories and models of innovation and understand how each guides decision-making. Through an examination of real-world successes and failures, participants will define clear innovation goals and expected outcomes, explore relevant innovation models, and learn approaches to market research. The session also introduces an opportunity identification model to uncover new areas for growth and value creation, providing a strong foundation for generating impactful, strategic innovations.
DAY TWO:
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM & 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Idea Generation & Concept Development, and Product Strategy
Learn how to generate, capture, and refine ideas into viable product concepts while clearly defining your target market. This session also explores effective product positioning strategies to ensure your innovation resonates with the right audience and stands out in the marketplace.
Evaluation & Prioritization of Innovation
This session introduces practical tools to evaluate and prioritize innovation opportunities. Participants will learn how to apply scoring and decision matrices, use key performance indicators such as market size, strategic fit, and cost, and leverage the Business Model Canvas to guide strategic choices and strengthen business viability.
DAY THREE:
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Development & Validation, and Launch & Scale
Move from concept to launch by building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or prototype and applying stage-gate methods to guide development. This session explores go-to-market and pricing strategies, as well as post-launch metrics like NPS and retention, to track performance and drive a continuous improvement loop that ensures long-term product success.
Final Presentations
In the final session, participants will apply the tools and frameworks learned throughout the program to develop and present their own innovation strategy.
