Fundamentals For Startups: When You Don’t Need a Perfect (Startup) Idea- You Need Empathy
Cooley LLP is proud to sponsor this event.
About the Lecture:
Most ideas don’t fail because they lack funding, or ambition. They fail because they are built on assumptions about people.
Human-Centered Design (HCD) is a research-backed method that reduces risk early by shifting focus from finding the right solution to asking better questions. It uses empathy to learn directly from the people you aim to serve, instead of guessing stakeholder needs.
This 60-minute lecture introduces Human-Centered Design as a practical tool for moving ideas forward with clarity, whether you are launching a startup, translating research into impact, or shaping a new program inside an organization. Empathy is no longer a “soft skill". It is your strategic team-member.
The lecture is intentionally designed for a mixed audience:
founders and early startup teams
researchers and scientists exploring real-world application
students, public and first-time idea-makers
employees developing new initiatives within organizations (“intrapreneurs)
No prior startup or design experience is required — and experienced innovators will still gain sharper fast techniques, and fresh perspective.
Speaker:
Lubica Lutz is a service designer, educator, and innovation practitioner working at the intersection of human-centered design, entrepreneurship, and education. She holds a Master’s degree in Education (Entrepreneurship) from Oulu University of Applied sciences in Finland and has two decades of international experience in Europe, Asia and the United States.
Lubica was an early founding team member and Head of Entrepreneurial Leadership at LEAF Academy - an educational startup whose students created products and had real customers before the age of 18. With the University of Washington, she taught graduate students, collaborated with UW Global and mentored founders. She is passionate about supporting idea-makers at all stages—especially those who don’t yet have a “perfect” idea.
Born in former Czechoslovakia and growing up in a brand new country, she is passionate about turning early ideas into sustainable systems. Currently, she lives with her husband and cats (who flew from Europe) in Kirkland.
About Fundamentals for Startups:
Fundamentals for Startups is a weekly one-hour lecture series featuring notable experts who share startup-related information, experience, and insights with our entrepreneurial community. From raising capital to scaling to exit strategies, these seasoned guest speakers deliver valuable content designed to help startups and entrepreneurs thrive.
These lectures are open to the public and you do not have to be currently affiliated with the UW or a startup to join. Lunch is provided while supplies last. Advanced registration required. Please note, we are no longer livestreaming these sessions.
Elevators and doors open at 11:30 AM and will close promptly at 12:30 PM. Don't be late!
We hope you can join us!