In the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, two Georgetown University McDonough School of Business professors found themselves contemplating a way to bring more purpose to their work and students’ lives. Marc Steren and John Jabara, both seasoned academics and entrepreneurs, decided to channel their expertise into something transformative. What started as a small virtual class aimed at high school students quickly snowballed into a groundbreaking venture: University Startups.
From Concept to Reality: A Transformative Journey
“During the pandemic, John suggested, ‘Why don’t we teach high school students to launch ventures for social good?’ At the time, we were both professors at Georgetown University McDonough School of Business and found ourselves a bit bored, so we decided to give it a try. We expected about 20 students to sign up for the virtual class, but to our surprise, 67 students enrolled, from Florida to California!” recalls Marc Steren, Co-Founder and co-CEO of University Startups.
The overwhelming response to their initial course underscored a significant gap in the education system – a need for practical, hands-on entrepreneurial training that could also drive social impact. This initial success laid the foundation for University Startups, an organization committed to democratizing access to entrepreneurial education and career opportunities, especially for under-resourced learners.
Democratizing Opportunity
As the world grappled with the effects of the pandemic, University Startups was busy turning challenges into opportunities. “About six months later, we began receiving emails from students telling us they had written about their experience in our program for their college essays and had been accepted to prestigious schools such as Dartmouth,” Marc shares. The impact of their program was immediate and profound, paving pathways to higher education for many.
The real turning point came when a foundation approached Steren and Jabara with a proposition: to extend their program to under-resourced high school students. This was a pivotal moment for University Startups, prompting the co-founders to expand their mission. “It was awakening; we knew we had to do more to democratize the opportunity,” Marc adds.
Innovative Education for a New Era
University Startups believes every student deserves a personalized pathway to success. The organization’s innovative approach includes a virtually-delivered, hands-on program designed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset. This mindset encourages students to think creatively, solve problems, and translate their passions into real-world experiences.
“We believe that startups go through three phases: level one – the founders have all the ideas; level two – the employees repeat these ideas as if the founders said them; level three – the employees generate their own ideas to realize the company’s vision. True innovation occurs at level three when ideas come from a diverse and inclusive group, not just the founders,” Marc explains.
Empowering the Under-Resourced
University Startups’ mission is not only to educate but also to empower. By partnering with nonprofits and foundations, they ensure students from all backgrounds can access their life-changing programs. Their curriculum is designed by educators for educators, ensuring it is impactful without adding to teachers’ workloads.
The entrepreneurial mindset embedded throughout their courses fosters independence, confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving in students. “Our entrepreneurship incubators focus on minority and female entrepreneurs – adding their diverse voices to our ecosystem,” Marc emphasizes. This focus on diversity and inclusion ensures that a rich mix of perspectives drives innovation.
Building Future-Ready Skills
At the core of University Startups’ program is developing future-ready skills. Engaging activities and interactive virtual classroom assistants empower students to take charge of their futures. The structured course sequences are designed to keep students on the path to success, with flexible scheduling and measurable outcomes.
“Once we had a real ‘hair on fire’ customer that referred us to other customers, it led to more customers and thus more data points into our feedback loop,” Marc says. This referral loop is a testament to the effectiveness of their program, driving continuous improvement and expansion. Today, University Startups operates in nine states and continues to grow.
The Road Ahead
Looking to the future, University Startups is poised to expand its reach even further. “Our company’s mission – empowering under-resourced learners – has enabled us to recruit and retain top-tier team members who are dedicated to the vision of the company,” Marc notes. This dedication is evident in the company’s rapid growth and the increasing number of students it serves.
The organization is also committed to contributing to the broader innovation ecosystem. By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, University Startups is helping to shape the future of education and entrepreneurship. Its work not only benefits individual students but also drives systemic change in education and workforce development.
A Vision for a Brighter Future
University Startups offers hope and opportunity in a world that is increasingly in need of innovative solutions to educational and social challenges. Through their groundbreaking programs, they prepare students for college and careers and equip them with the entrepreneurial skills needed to navigate and shape the future.
Marc and John’s vision and commitment to democratizing education and fostering innovation are at the heart of University Startups’ success. As the organization continues to grow and evolve, it remains steadfast in its mission to empower the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.
“We are most excited about the future of our company because we know that empowering under-resourced learners is not just a mission; it’s a movement,” Marc concludes. With such a passionate and dedicated team, University Startups is well on its way to transforming the educational landscape and creating a brighter future for all.
