How to Launch a Startup in College

April 30, 2021 Startupcolleges Team 5 min read

How to Launch a Startup in College:- College students who want to introduce themselves early in school can take advantage of resources. From Startup programs and network events to reaching out to mentors and other students to explore ideas, college can be a great opportunity to start a new business.

In fact, many well-known companies such as Google, Yahoo, Dell, Facebook, and WordPress all started while their founders were in college.

Table of Contents

Where to start

“Start with your curiosity and interests,” said Jose Huitron, director of student development programs at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, “Try to connect the dots in your learning areas and skills.

Find a balance between what the world needs, what you are capable of, and what you can be paid to do. ”

The best ideas are the ones that students are interested in exploring, added Huitron. He noted how being a student can be a good time to start a business as there is a lower risk involved, compared to starting later in life.

Huitron recommends that student entrepreneurs find the problem they are trapped in and get into it from the crisis and customer perspective. Look for business opportunities that allow you to use your skills and use the support your college experience.

Huitron said he saw ideas coming from all corners of the campus – agriculture, business, journalism, engineering, and other fields of study. Every industry needs innovation and no one is in control alone where ideas can come up.

“Ideas from the internal fire often have the potential to survive the business transformation,” he said.

Test Your Ideas

When deciding what kind of business to start with, consider the options that might suit your college style.

Online businesses are very attractive if you want to work remotely – you can provide visual training, open an e-commerce store, open a telecommunications company, or build a professional service provider.

“At SBDC we have seen a lot of business ideas, from simple service businesses, food business, app development,” wrote Daniel Fitzgerald, acting regional director for San Diego and the Imperial Small Business Development Center Network.

He added that in a community college it is not uncommon for a student to have a traditional business while going to school to develop skills and knowledge.

If you have a business idea, use this idea individually to find the answer. Ask your classmates if a product or service is something they can use, and what kind of improvements they can make, or questions they may have. Consider their ideas when adjusting your startup idea.

Look for opportunities in school to work in your business. You can use your startup as a business class project, or ask questions during discussions related to your business idea.

Get a Mentor

The mentor can provide invaluable advice, support, and guidance when starting a new business. Look around you: Is there a professor you trust, or an advisor you can turn to for business questions?

Fitzgerald recommends visiting the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Or a startup incubator for mentors. SBDCs are resource partners for Small Business Administration (SBA) and, in some cases, host colleges and universities. In some cases, these institutions have relationships with business schools. They offer free personal counseling and training.

Similarly, Huitron encourages students to make use of the resources available in their schools, as many colleges have delivery facilities and business centers that can pave the way for construction.

“Students will find that there is an army of supporters and former academics who are ready and willing to give back to the community,” Huitron said. “Advice can come from many different channels, including social media platforms such as LinkedIn, posting, alumni referral networks, and other entrepreneurs.”

Enroll in Business-Related Courses And Experience

“Lessons that help build soft skills like problem-solving and empathy are a good start,” advises Huitron. “In addition, there are traditional routes such as the Intro to Entrepreneurship course or a media innovation lab that allow students to explore potential opportunities on a disciplinary basis.”

Fitzgerald noted that the basics of accounting are important to effectively manage startups, such as knowing the basics of pricing and financial reporting. He also recommends business studies, marketing, and even public speaking.

Learn how to Network

A good way to learn how to communicate practically, Fitzgerald said. Look for activities for your college, student government, and clubs to join social media events.

If you look beyond your college campus, business teams and rooms can be great places to make connections.

Huitron recommends linking to LinkedIn or visual event platforms like Hopin and InEvent.

Virtual Communication can help you improve your communication marketing skills, which can be a useful tool for running a successful business.

Fund Your Business

The initial funding could be difficult to come by, Fitzgerald said. He added that many of the startups were “tied” by the founder and donated by friends and family.

You recommend that you turn to your local SBDCs or startup incubator and business clubs for your schools to learn what financial assistance is available.

Huitron encourages students to find a new voice competition or a new challenge, as many modern colleges offer students the opportunity to enroll and interact with other student entrepreneurs.

Be Courageous

“Doing business requires a lot of effort before one can achieve great success,” advised Fitzgerald. “Like learning any other skill, one has to practice. That entrepreneurial habit starts businesses and tries them. ”

Resources aimed at helping student entrepreneurs with their innovations can make college a great time to present your startup.

While starting your own business is not an easy process, if you focus on improving resilience and patience, it can be a beneficial process.

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