New Ventures
Design Lab

The New Ventures Design Lab is an intentional design lab and production workspace for leaders tasked with building and launching non-credit, continuing education, and/or micro-credentialing online programs. This lab provides a structured framework for moving from a general market idea to a production-ready digital ecosystem.
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PROVIDED BY THE PATHWAYS FOR TOMORROW COORDINATION PROGRAM THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.

Program Dates

The design lab begins Monday, November 9, 2026 and ends on Friday, December 11, 2026. (The week of November 23-27th off.)

Structure

A four-week design lab that combines high-level asynchronous training with hands-on synchronous weekly "sprints." 

"Sprint" Sessions

Live working sessions or "sprints" will occur each Thursday from 11-12:30pm EST. 

Cost

For eligible ATS member schools with active Pathways for Tomorrow grants, the cost of this Academy is fully provided.

Who should enroll?

  • Academic Deans
  • Associate Deans of Digital Learning
  • Associate Deans of Lifelong Learning
  • Provosts
  • Directors of Distance Education

General

This design lab is for those tasked with creating non-credit or micro-credentialing online learning programs. This is a strategic "how-to" for administrators on infrastructure, program development, and marketability.

Ideal

The ideal participants are Academic Deans, Associate Deans of Digital Learning, Provosts, and Directors of Distance Education - specifically, those institutional leaders tasked with non-credit or micro-credentialing online learning programs.

Theological education is evolving to meet a new generation of leaders who seek specialized, flexible, and stackable formation. The New Ventures Design Lab empowers institutions to bridge the gap between deep academic tradition and the immediate, practical needs of the communities they serve.

The New Ventures Design Lab is an intentional design and production lab for leaders tasked with building and launching non-credit, continuing education, or micro-credentialing programs. This lab provides a structured framework for moving from a general market idea to a production-ready digital ecosystem. It is specifically designed for theological schools that need to launch agile, revenue-generating learning ventures without overwhelming their existing academic infrastructure or IT departments.

The design lab addresses the unique challenges of the non-credit market: creating "on-demand" pathways that don't expire, designing stackable credentials that retain value, and building an evergreen, portable architecture that lets you sell your content directly to the public or partner organizations. From business logic to digital delivery, the New Ventures Design Lab ensures your venture is ready to meet the needs of today's learners. 
Meet the consultant

Rev. Dr. Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock

Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock (she, her, hers) is co-founder and managing director of Tumbuh Global. She also serves as the president and principal consultant for The School of Global Citizenry, a program of Tumbuh.

Lindsay is a senior instructional designer, e-learning developer, LXD consultant, ordained clergy person, international immersion guide, small business owner, and published author with more than 24 years of nonprofit and B Corp-spirited for-profit experience.
Patrick Jones - Course author