I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the 2024 Startup Summer program, an immersive experience that allowed me to work on building a startup from scratch while interning full-time. Offered by Silicon Flatirons and designed to run alongside a full-time internship with a startup, this program was structured to give participants a deep dive into the entrepreneurial journey. From ideation and prototyping to financing and pitching, we covered all the essential steps for bringing a venture to life. As someone with an entrepreneurial background, I was excited to connect with other motivated individuals and expand my skills beyond engineering.

Joining the Program

When I first signed up for CU’s summer internship program, I was invited to apply to Startup Summer, a selective program that brings interns from innovative companies across Colorado together for weekly sessions with founders and executives. The application process was extensive—I crafted a tailored resume and cover letter and went through a rigorous interview process. The program organizers were committed to ensuring that every participant shared the same driven, entrepreneurial mindset, creating an inspiring environment where everyone was equally passionate about innovation.

Weekly Seminars: A Deep Dive into the Startup World

The goal of Startup Summer was to provide a hands-on tour of the startup process—from ideation and customer discovery to financing and pitching. Each week, a different aspect of building a startup was covered by successful founders and C-level executives, giving us real-world insight into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.

The program kicked off with an intense session on brainstorming and idea generation, setting the stage for the rest of the summer. Another memorable seminar was Customer Discovery, where we learned how to truly understand the needs of our target audience—a lesson that would be invaluable as we shaped our startup idea. The Prototyping and Team Building workshops were equally impactful, helping us learn how to create an MVP and build strong, cohesive teams. Toward the end of the program, Pitching 101 and the Legal and Financing workshops gave us the critical tools to navigate the competitive startup landscape. Each session deepened my understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, helping me see the real skills and strategies required to bring a vision to life.

Forming Our Team and Finding a Vision

Initially, I had a few business ideas of my own, but I wasn’t sure they were realistic enough to pursue. Instead, I decided to listen to others as they pitched their concepts, looking for a team whose vision resonated with me. After hearing a range of ideas, I joined a group working on Vagabond, an app designed to connect study abroad students with locals for a more immersive experience in foreign countries.

One of my main contributions to the venture was serving as the team’s graphic designer. Using Adobe Illustrator, I created logos and app prototypes from scratch. I wanted our visual design to be as engaging and professional as possible, so I used my creativity and imagination to deliver a polished, stunning prototype for Pitch Night. Seeing our project come to life visually was rewarding, and it was exciting to know that my work would be an essential part of our final presentation. 

The beginning was challenging; our team was a bit awkward, and motivation was low. But as the weeks went by and we started working through each seminar topic—customer discovery, prototyping, pitching—the team dynamics shifted. We became more cohesive, committed to bringing Vagabond to life. I learned the importance of being adaptable and keeping the end goal in focus, even when the journey was far from smooth.

Gaining Hands-On Experience in Startup Building

Working on Vagabond was like a crash course in entrepreneurship. Each seminar introduced us to critical elements of startup success, and we applied these insights directly to our project. Some of the most valuable lessons I gained included:

• Market Research & Customer Discovery: Understanding our target audience was key. We dove into market research to understand the needs of study abroad students and how they navigate social and cultural barriers.

• Team Building & Communication: Through our challenges, I learned how crucial team dynamics and effective communication are to any venture. The Team Building and Communication seminars gave us practical strategies for working as a cohesive unit, even during stressful phases.

• Legal & Financing: The legal workshop taught us about the intricacies of structuring a business, while the financing session shed light on funding options and financial planning—a crucial aspect of making any startup viable.

• Pitching: By the end of the program, we’d practiced and refined our pitch countless times. Pitching was a powerful way to test our idea’s strength and articulate our vision clearly and concisely.

Final Pitch Night

The summer culminated in Pitch Night, where we competed against other teams for cash prizes. We pitched Vagabond to a panel of judges, sharing our vision for connecting international students with locals for a more enriching experience abroad. In the end, we tied for 5th place, which was a rewarding finish after 10 weeks of hard work.

Reflecting on the Summer

Startup Summer taught me so much more than I could have expected. Beyond the technical skills, it gave me a glimpse into the resilience, creativity, and teamwork required to bring an idea from concept to reality. Working with like-minded peers, all equally driven and curious, pushed me to grow in ways that went far beyond engineering.

Through each seminar, brainstorming session, and late-night team meeting, I gained a new understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for the experience and proud of everything our team accomplished. This summer wasn’t just about building a startup—it was about building a foundation for future innovation.