Your people work for the same company. They rarely get in the same room.
Teams sit on different floors, in different meetings, on different tools. Everyone knows they should collaborate more. The structure of the work keeps getting in the way.
And most team training feels like a box to check. People sit down to comply, click through, and go back to how they worked before.
A Corporate Idea Jam flips that. Nobody is here to be fixed. Everyone is here to help someone.
Along the way, your team practices the small moves that build high-trust teams: meeting someone new, listening, building on another person's idea, and seeing potential before proof.
How a Corporate Idea Jam works
1. We match you with a nonprofit.
We pair your team with a local nonprofit facing a real challenge. Tell us the causes your company cares about and we will find a strong fit.
2. We design the jam.
We meet with the nonprofit, learn their story, and shape two focused topics for your team to jam on.
3. Your team jams.
Our facilitators guide your group through fast, structured rounds of conversation and idea building. Sticky notes, short timers, new partners every few minutes. Low pressure. High energy.
4. Your team reflects.
We close with a guided reflection: what worked today, and what is one thing we want to bring back to how we work together on Monday?
5. Everyone gets the recap.
The nonprofit receives a full written analysis of every idea, organized into themes. Your team receives a summary of the session and the reflection, ready to share with leadership.
One afternoon. Two wins.
What your team gets
-
Real collaboration practice on a real challenge, not a role-play.
-
Connection across teams, roles, and levels that do not usually work together.
-
A shared, memorable experience built on purpose, not trust falls.
-
A guided reflection that turns the day into habits your team can use at work.
-
A written session summary to share with leaders and HR.
What the nonprofit gets
-
Dozens of fresh ideas from people with a wide range of skills.
-
A full written recap with key themes, standout ideas, and implementation ideas.
-
New advocates who now know their mission and their work.
-
All of this at no cost to the nonprofit.
What the day looks like
A typical session runs about three hours.
-
0:00 Welcome and quick connections. Meet people you do not usually work with.
-
0:20 Meet the nonprofit. Their story, their challenge, and the two topics.
-
0:40 Topic 1 jam. Small groups, short rounds, lots of sticky notes.
-
1:25 Break and reset.
-
1:40 Topic 2 jam. New groups, new angles.
-
2:25 Share out. Each group shares the ideas that stood out.
-
2:45 Team reflection. What will we bring back to how we work?
-
3:00 Wrap.
The details
Team size
Built for groups of 15 to 60. Larger group? Let's talk.
Timing
Half day. Weekday mornings or afternoons.
What you provide
Your team, an open mind, and a few causes your company cares about.
Location
In person. At your office, or at a local venue we help you choose: a coworking space, a brewery, or an event space with room to move. A change of scenery helps. So does practicing collaboration in the space where your team works every day. We will help you pick.
Food and drink
Coordinated with the venue.
Who brings a Corporate Idea Jam to their team
-
HR and people leaders looking for engagement that people actually want to show up for.
-
Learning and development teams who want collaboration skills to stick.
-
Team leaders planning an offsite that does more than fill a calendar.
-
Community engagement and volunteer leads who want skills-based giving that goes beyond a service day.
-
Innovation leaders who want more of the company practicing creative thinking.
Built on three seasons of Idea Jams
Since 2023, Innovate MN has hosted 20+ free public Idea Jams where Minnesotans from every background come together to generate ideas for local businesses and nonprofits. Our community has grown to 900+ members, and people keep coming back.
Corporate Idea Jams bring that same format, energy, and facilitation to your team.
20+ Idea Jams hosted
900+ community members
3 seasons of jam recaps
Meet your facilitators
Dr. Ethan Eagle
Innovation coach and founder of Build the Change
Ethan has spent years helping teams in high-stakes environments learn to innovate together, and he brings that experience to every Corporate Idea Jam.
Dr. Jonell Pacyga
CEO and co-founder, Innovate MN
Jonell is a professor at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, where she leads the ESL and Spanish Education licensure programs. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and has spent years helping groups of people learn together.
Matt Pacyga
COO and co-founder, Innovate MN
Over fifteen years in digital product strategy, a Techstars mentor, and the person who makes sure every jam runs smoothly from venue to recap.
Be one of our first pilot teams
We are launching Corporate Idea Jams with a small number of pilot teams this winter. Pilot teams get a reduced rate in exchange for honest feedback and permission to share the experience as a case study.
Pilot pricing is a one-time rate tied to the case study. Pilot spots are limited.
Lead a nonprofit? Get a room full of ideas, free.
Corporate Idea Jams pair company teams with nonprofits facing real challenges. If your organization could use fresh thinking on a challenge like fundraising, volunteer engagement, awareness, or growing your programs, we would love to hear from you.
There is no cost to your nonprofit. You share your story and your challenge. You leave with a written recap of every idea.
Good to know
Is this a donation program?
No. Your company pays Innovate MN for a facilitated team experience. The nonprofit receives your team's time and ideas at no cost. There are no donations to route or track.
Can we choose the nonprofit or the cause?
Yes. Tell us the causes your company cares about, or bring a nonprofit you already partner with. We will make sure the challenge is a good fit for a jam.
Do my people need to be creative or have nonprofit experience?
No. The format is built so everyone can contribute, from new hires to executives. Different backgrounds are the point.
Is it virtual?
Corporate Idea Jams are in person. The energy in the room is a big part of what makes them work.
What does it cost?
Pricing depends on group size, location, and format. Pilot pricing is available for a limited number of teams as a one-time rate tied to a case study. Reach out and we will put together a quote.
What happens after the jam?
The nonprofit receives a full idea analysis. Your team receives a session summary and reflection notes. If you want to go deeper on team innovation or collaboration, we can talk about what comes next.
How far ahead should we book?
Plan on about four to six weeks so we can match you with a nonprofit and design the topics.
Can our team come to a public Idea Jam first?
Yes, and we encourage it. Public Idea Jams are free and open to everyone. It is the easiest way to see the format in action. See upcoming public Idea Jams
Do good. Work better together.
Give your team a different kind of afternoon, and give a Minnesota nonprofit a room full of ideas.
Tell us a little about your team and we will reach out within two business days to set up a short call.
Questions? Email hello@innovate.mn