On February 8, computer science students gathered at FastForward U’s innovation hub in Remington to network with peers and gain valuable insights into entrepreneurship with a keynote panel.
Panelists included CS alumnus Satya Prateek, Engr ’16 (MSE), the chief data scientist and co-founder of Marigold Health, and current undergraduate student Iris Gupta, the founder of CounselAI. The panelists shared their experiences with product development, research translation, and funding opportunities in a series of lightning rounds.
In addition to a discussion startup funding in the AI sphere, panelists recommended that aspiring entrepreneurs expand their product ideas beyond “just a thing plus AI,” pitch solutions to specific problems, and take advantage of their student status to secure support from advisors, mentors, and industry partners.
In particular, Gupta advised that students pursuing startup ventures resist the temptation to go it alone and championed the benefits of being part of a team: more support, less burnout, and valuable, diverse viewpoints. Similarly, Prateek emphasized the importance of maintaining one’s physical and mental health within the startup “grind” culture, citing his own hospitalization as a cautionary tale.
After the panel’s conclusion, students had the chance to connect one-on-one with the panelists, network with their peers, and pursue opportunities offered by a variety of startups seeking programming talent.
Learn more about upcoming entrepreneurship events at FastForward U here or apply for CS-specific venture funding with the Singhal Family Seed Award here.